Hamid Derakhshan, a football expert, sharply criticized the performance of Iran's national football team and its head coach, Amir Ghalenoei, examining the current conditions of this team. Regarding the recent results and the team's future plans, he said: "In these two matches, in what aspect and parameter were we good? Was there a proper performance in the defensive section? Did we act positively in the attacking lines or midfield? There were no achievements and nothing to say."
Criticism of the National Team's Performance
Derakhshan, pointing to the lack of a clear plan for the national team, continued: "The talk of youth-oriented policies for the national team is not for the current period, and we intended to do this from the World Cup qualifying matches, but it has only been promises and nothing happened." He emphasized that we are moving forward with the same players and there is no plan or future for the national team.
This football expert, reacting to Ghalenoei's statements, who believed in the usefulness of friendly matches after the match against Russia, said: "Friendly matches are held to enhance and display technical quality and tactical work, but what was observed and existed in the national team's friendly matches? No positive technical value was observed."
Concerns About the Future of the National Team
Derakhshan expressed concern about the future of the national team, saying: "I have no doubt that what happened to the U23 national team, which was eliminated in the group stage, will also happen to the seniors against lower-level teams. All teams are working, have plans, and have progressed, but we have nothing to offer and we will get worse day by day and will remain stagnant."
He referred to the changes in the coaching staff and the substitutions made in the match against Russia, adding: "When changes were made, did our style of play change? When players are called up and there is no reason for their presence and no explanation is given, it means there is no logical reasoning or justification." Derakhshan also pointed out the lack of opportunities for youth in the national team, saying: "We neither showed a good style of play nor achieved good results."
He concluded by emphasizing that the time for changes has come, saying: "If there are no changes in the coaching staff, nothing special will happen in the Asian Cup and the future." These statements come at a time when the Iranian national football team is facing serious challenges, and many fans are concerned about the fate of their beloved team.
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