Tag: Asian Games 2014 Incheon

Omid Team Manager apologizes for the loss.

Habib Kashani offered his apologies for the loss that Team Melli suffered against Saudi Arabia in Azadi stadium in the penultimate match of the AFC U23 Championship qualifiers. The 2-1 loss against Saudi Arabia resulted in the qualification of the opponents to the finals of the competition while Iran also qualified as one of the 5 best groups runners up.

Kashani , however , wasted little time in providing the usual bundle of excuses and justification for the loss. He said the team had only 3 months to prepare while Vingada’s team had 8 months yet lost to Vietnam and drew with Kyrgyzstan in the Asian Games in Incheon 2014.

“Half of the players were only recently added to the team and as such we needed more time to prepare. The defeat against Saudi Arabia was an unfortunate event which the coaching staff should offer a justification for.”

Iran U23 vs Saudi U23 Ali Karimi

Kashani added that in order to prepare for the final tournament in Qatar , the U23 team needs the cooperation of the league commission and their consent to the Omid Team training schedules and programs. “ As it is now, we only have the FIFA day where we can gather the players and practice. That is not adequate. In Doha , there will be no Nepal of Afghanistan , but facing strong teams like Korea , Qatar , Japan and  Emirates.” Added the Ex-Persepolis CEO.

Kashani also pointed to the other problems that many players will face in Omid team and in particular the Military service, which is a fundamental and chronic obstacles in front of the young Iranian players.

The Manager of Omid Team admitted that the FFIRI has provided everything possible for the team and for that he is quite grateful. He also acknowledged the Military Service commission’s support in allowing some players to compete in the qualifiers. “I appreciate all the people who helped Omid Team case in order to compete in the best possible way.” However, Kashani went to by saying “ I apologize for the loss against Saudi Arabia , all I can say at this moment is that I shoulder all the blame for that loss (…) . I have nothing else to offer except to say I am sorry!”

There was no mention of technical flaws or coaching deficiencies nor player’s performance issues in Kashani’s statement.

 

Khanzadeh , severely criticized the living condition of the players in Incheon.

Team Melli U23 who are competing in the Men’s football of the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon , South Korea are accommodated in the worst possible hotel one can imagine.

Mohammadreza Khanzadeh claims that 7 players are accommodated in one room which has one bathroom. The hotel is more like someone’s house turned into a hotel, has no internet around the players accommodation and the food is sub-standard.

 

“I feel sorry for this federation that has no consideration for the players’ comfort and well-being. They wants us to win the gold medal yet they are not prepared to provide a minimum decent accommodation that is worthy of the players. Thanks God the training facilities is of a high standard which is completely opposite to the pathetic accommodation. ” Khanzadeh said in a short statement to ISNA

 

Iran U23 will start the competition with a game against Vietnam U23 on the 15th of September in Ansan Wa~ Stadium

Olympic team coach start delayed due to legal complications.

Nelo Vingada, the Olympic team head coach was supposed to have started work with the Olympics squad preparing for the competitions ahead especially the Asian Games 2014 Incheon. However , the Portuguese coach has hit a snag.

Explaining the delay in Vingada’s commencement of work with the Olympics team, the Deputy head of the FFIRI , Seyed Hadi Ayttollahei said ” Because of Vingada’s previous stint as the head coach of Persepolis , there is some outstanding taxes that have not been paid. When we reviews the contract between the two parties, it clearly stipulates that Vingada had a two year contract with Persepolis and all taxes for the two years period should have been paid to the government on signing the contract by the club. Therefore Persepolis should have respected this clause and paid its due. This did not happen. Vingada only stayed 5 months with Persepolis and left. The Managers of Persepolis failed to clear the taxes issues and did not contact the appropriate authorities to resolve the issue. Now, the liabilities are even greater, because there is a penalty for non-payment and delays which will cost the club dearly. Persepolis have been very lax  and complacent and this has resulted in issues with Vingada’s current work permit and legal status”

“Unless Persepolis resolves this tax issue with the authorities, Vingada cannot commence his work in Iran. We urge Persepolis to act fast as delays will affect our preparation for the Asian Games.”

Currently , the squad is training under Human Afazeli who is working as a caretaker until the arrival of Vingada.

As if Persepolis does not have enough financial problems , this one regarding Vingada’s tax non-payment , is  added on the rest the club’s complex and crippling financial issues.  Persepolis, one of the most popular teams in Iran , has been struggling to pay it debts , wages , hotel bills and many outstanding bills accumulated through the years. Persepolis has up to today to pay Ajman club for Khalatbary’s remaining transfer fee, else the UAE club will file a suit with FIFA, and finally the tax man in Iran is in hot pursuit of the club for non-payment of many taxes.