MNA - Iran national team coach
said that on Monday he loves Tehran-based football clubs Persepolis and
Esteghlal.
In a meeting held in the football federation’s building, Ali Daei said, “I
love Persepolis and Esteghlal so much. In my opinion, our national team will
become strong when we have powerful clubs. The two teams bring plenty of
spectators to the stadiums. Please don’t accuse me of bias in favor of
Persepolis or Esteghlal.”
“Participation in the West Asian tournament will give a chance to the young
players who have not had the opportunity to show their potentials.” Daei
told the reporters in response to the question of why Iran has taken part in
the tourney.
He ruled out Esteghlal coach’s criticism, adding, “ Ghalenoei has attributed
his team’s loss against Pegah to the absence of keeper Taleblu and
midfielder Kazemi. I think he has stated that as an excuse whereas he had to
accept the failure.”
Daei will not invite Persepolis veteran Karim Bagheri to the national team,
he said, “I have no problem with him but we have some better players than
Karim, namely Javad Nekounam, Andranik Teymourian and Masoud Shojaei.”
