Team Melli training camp in Jordan will commence on 1st September in preparation of the crucial game against Lebanon as part of the qualifying match for FIFA World Cup 2014 in Brazil.
Khosrow. Valyzadeh , the communications manager for the national teams, announced the news to the media. According to the arranged program , the national team will fly to Amman on 31st August and set up camp in the Jordanian capital. The program includes a friendly international match with the host country on 4th September. The training camp will continue in Amman before traveling to Beirut a couple of days before the match with Lebanon due on the 11th of September 2012.
Asked whether Team Melli will have any training programs or Mini camps before their travel to Jordan, Valyzadeh responded that currently, there is no such arrangement for a local camp. One of the reasons for holding the national team camp in Jordan is due to the accommodations difficulties during the busy upcoming period and expected full occupancy of hotels during the Non-Aligned Summit conference. That is why the program is arranged as such and the camp to be set up camp in Jordan.
Asked about the status of the Iranian Dutch player Reza Ghoochannejad who joined the Team Melli camp in Hungary but was not eligible to play for Iran, Valyzadeh said that the player’s documents were incomplete and during the camp he managed to produce the required documents, and since we gathered all the required papers and sent it to FIFA. He also added that there is another outstanding issue with Ghoochannejad and that is his Military Service. This has to be resolved by all parties concerned but especially the player himself with the authorities. We hope that this would be resolved soon.
On the issue of Masoud Shojaei , Valyzadeh said that the Osasuna player , who was sidelined for 15 months due to long term injury , was part of the list that was originally submitted by Carlos Queiroz for the Hungary camp. But due to the request by Osasuna Club , he was not invited to join the Team Melli camp to allow Shojaei more time to return back to his form by training with his club and under the supervision of the Osasuna medical staff who are well aware of his condition and could work better with the player in case of any complications.
About the possible availability for Shojaei to be part of the squad to play Lebanon, he said that we are hopeful that Shojaei will be able to make it. However, it all depends on his physical condition and whether he achieves the required form in time for the match.
Team Melli is currently second in the Group behind South Korea with 4 points just ahead of Qatar with also 4 points but inferior goal differences.