Saleh Hardani was one of the efficient and hardworking players of Esteghlal in the clash with Gol Gahar. Just like in most matches this season, his constant pressing of the opposing players and timely joining of attacks made it easier for Yasser Asadi and gave a better shape to the blue team's game.
Change of Conditions in the Second Half
However, in the second half, the situation completely changed for Saleh, and it seemed he was overwhelmed by the excitement of the match. Hardani initially received a yellow card, causing him to miss the next game, and a few minutes later, he was sent off after receiving a second yellow card, missing the tough away match against Chador Malu Ardakan in Yazd as well. This expulsion not only meant losing the game but also exacerbated his three-card status for the continuation of the competitions.
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Inappropriate Behaviors on the Field
Being sent off or a temporary drop in technical performance may not be a major challenge; as Sohrab Bakhtiyari Zadeh believes in his abilities and quickly returned Hardani to the main squad after past incidents. However, the main issue relates to some of Saleh's behaviors on the field that do not align well with Sohrab's standards and his vision for team discipline. Especially in a match where, after the substitution of Roozbeh Cheshmi, the captain's armband was also placed on his arm.
In one scene of the game, when Habib Farahbasi had just denied Gol Gahar a clear scoring opportunity and was on the ground due to the impact, Hardani made a strange move by jokingly sitting on him to thank his teammate. Additionally, after being sent off, he placed the captain's armband on the match ball and left the field, even though he could have handed the armband to one of the players on the field to prepare them for the continuation of the game and maintain the team's calm during those critical moments.
Experience has shown Hardani that discipline is of great importance to Sohrab, and such behaviors do not go unnoticed by Esteghlal's head coach. Given Hardani's position and key role in the team's lineup, he is expected to have more focus and precision regarding his on-field reactions to avoid similar issues as in the past.
Hardani, of course, apologized to Esteghlal fans after the match for the red card he received and explained that the team's goal could have been exposed on a counterattack.
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