Uncensored news from the camp; The untold stories!

[Mansoor]

When I went to Iran to visit the camp, I went with lot of excitement to see how our men are preparing for world cup. What I saw and what I am about to write was kept with me up to this time not to add to anything in those critical times. I guess those who were witness to such madhouse thought the same except very few with ill purposes and wrote here and there in tabloids. But the world cup is over for Iran, and I feel that I have the obligation for the fans to inform them of what went behind the scenes.

The problem started with Ali Karimi vs Branko. You read it right; The Ali Karimi. The man whom I have practically worshiped till now for his game as well as his “good boy” behavior in the past few years. I guess he felt it was time for our next “Ali” to rule our football, the third “Ali”. And that is not his fault, it is our culture to have these rulers at all times. We embrace them, worship them, and make god out of them and they eventually accept it too!

When Karimi returned from Bayern, for some strange reason, he had changed his behavior and acting like a rebel in the camp. He would come in wearing opposite of what everyone was wearing just to make statement. He had gathered a few in the camp as his followers. Our team’s current “Ali”, was also gathered by a few(very few) as his followers. And there were the newcomers who were trying to get playing time to get contracts! Unfortunately, the seeds of separation was already in place way before the games even started.

Karimi got penalized by Branko in Tehran camp for misbehaving. Once penalized, he went crazy and spoke against Branko on camera when leaving the field. What you had heard before about this incident was correct. He did speak to TV man, and a few reporters who were witness to the incident took the news to the papers and published it while TV did not show the interview. He blasted Branko with strong words. When Branko found out, he decided to dismiss him from the camp. Many talked Branko out of it and he eventually agreed. But the problem never stopped. Karimi continued his misbehaving. The camp was completely separated by different groups. Those who were “regular” bench (or not even that) were doing what they can to get into “regular” players list. Some had sent Karimi to confront Branko to get them to play. It was no longer about Iran and Team Melli and the passionate fans, it was about money and power!

Daei had gathered his group with the older ones and Saba players. Karimi had a few with him, mostly the youngsters and players of his age, and there were a few who stayed out of this madness. A couple of players that were feeling the threat from Teymourian were also making side issues for him to get rid of him. And some were just desperate to get playing time to get club contracts out of being in this world cup. Branko that had always gave in to Daei’s playing time for keeping players together had seen his last weapon becoming a weapon of mass destruction! Once again, Branko had to go strong against Karimi again when he tried to interfere with his work and the matter got even worse. Branko threatened Karimi by letting media know that he may not use Karimi, and put him in second team during practices.

And there were more into this madness. Human Afazeli was one of those that always tried to keep the team together in the camp. But guess who got rid of him? Dadkan! Dadkan wanted Iran to go to World Cup with 22 players + Enayati just to keep the fans and media quiet about “aghaye goal” of the IPL! Nobody in coaching staff believed in his qualities but eventual persistence by Dadkan had Branko taking 22 players to WC! Human did not accept this and also demanded for work force to support the staff work. And he was taken out of the WC list. Yep, he was not included in WC official list! Check it out for yourself in Fifa’s site. There is no analyst included in official list. He had to actually use his own money to go to Europe to watch Portugal in a friendly game before WC, and analyze the match for Branko! Dadkan refused to pay for it. Dadkan who is known for his stubbornness, never gave in. And again, he had to use money from his own pocket to get to TM camp in Germany. What was Branko doing in middle of this? Nothing! He considered Dadkan the boss and let him do his things while accommodating Human as one of his assistants!

When Iranians reached the camp in Germany, they were in pieces. Complains, “Ghahr o Ashti”, and gang like separation had again brought back Asian Cup 2000 memories. I don’t know how badly Karimi was hurting but I am confident that his performance was reflecting the troubles in the camp. Let’s face it, without Karimi we couldn’t do it and he knew it too. No, there was never a fight in half time against Mexico. And no there was never a big fight period. But, everyone had separated their own way in what was meant to be a team sport.

I am sorry but we will never ever see success in our team sports. That is our culture. We will always see individual performances but never team spirit until our culture changes. The very first pre-requisite to have any chance to succeed in team sports is not part of our culture. For now, just enjoy our international success in sports like Wrestling & Weigh lifting, and leave the team sports for others.

Oh, one more thing that I had promised to let you know, was what the surprise plan was in Mexico game that never surfaced. The plan was to move Kia in second half to left back, and trigger offense from there with Madanchi in the wing and not to leave time for the opponent and the coach to react with this element of surprise. Kia can cross with both feet and that could become a huge advantage for us. The plan was never implemented. I don’t know why but my guess is lack of fitness by Kia and his lower than normal performances. I personally believe we could have done this for each game from first half and leave the right wing/midfilder for so many other qualified candidates while there was no player for left back. In Mexico game, when Nosrati was taken out, Kia was supposed to take his place in left while Borhani would go to the right, and have Iran attack from both wings in the last 20-25 minutes of the game, but I guess lack of energy in his legs killed that plan.

[DJPedram]

Our team requires a very re-stablished football organization. Az paye bayad dorost konim, footbalemoonoo

[soniq]

WOW, i dont know what to say..... i'm speechless

[khabalood]

what exactly was karimis motivation for such behavior and who were part of the different groups (name names)?

[Amir H F]

I dont like Karimi becoming cokky like this, man I dont understand I would die to wear a team melli shirt and represent my country in a world cup! and I would play with ALL my heart and passion to the last breath...I would also treat my teammates and coaches as my own family, some of their behaviours have been very selfish in regards to getting contracts etc...what an embarassment!

[Under Lahaf]

thank you for all the information....i am more disappointed at Dadkan than Karimi. Karimi is once again acting immature but how can we explain dadkan's behavior?

Dameh Human garm for what he did! thank you Human

[TAKHTI]

Thanks Mansoor. Unfortunately, in Iran the ones that work the hardest are the ones that are not only unappreciated but hindred.

Can you be a bit more specific about what Karimi was doing and who was with Karimi?

[Haf3z]

Thanks Mansoor jaan. As you said yourself it's a part of our own culture, the "takravi" and "kalle-gonde-baazi" will never make us a worldclass team.

[abthedude]

some of the things you said might be truth, but most of it reminds me of juicy novel which could be sold to a movie studio !

But most defenitly there were nt united. But the problem is this:

Dadkan is a SOB
Branko should have been replaced by a A++ coach who would take the pressure
Ali Daie should have been asked to quit the team
Ali Karimi should have not been take to WC, merely he had not played for 3 months and after such an injury you are scared of playing hard football, basically him and Daie were worthless in this cup!! I did not see Karimi better than Daie. He was only 40% ready, I would take a 75% player at anytime over 40%.

This supposed to be the ever TM however it is about to have the worst result.

[Simorgh]

Ah, there you have it. Certainly looks like I was wrong about Karimi too.

One thing we shouldn't expect is for things to get sorted out so quickly. Our culture lacks certain elements and has many flaws.

Maybe the next generation of Iran... just maybe.