A comment for our stars' performance

[Hajagha]

However this is not an excuse by any means:

It's too hard to motivate a player who shines in Europe, plays in front of tens of thousands spectators against/with world class players such as Ronaldiniho, Totti, Henry and Ballak to put 100% in a humid, warm, empty stadium against a team no one even heard about their players and in a tournament barely impact any news even in its finale, without any prize.

We all know it's a national team and an honor to play, but this trick works only for a few starting caps. After all they are all young and lack of experience, they think they will be young for ever.

As a coach, it's a "mission impossible" to either bench such a player or motivate him fully. any solution for that? I doubt.

Cheers,

[kaz]

Ando and Javad, especially, have to pull their socks up and start fighting for balls like it's do-or-die out there.

[Ali Chicago]

Bench them, if you feel they don't give it their best. These players get name recognition and get in front of eyes of scouts from clubs when they play for team melli. So, this is an opportunity for them to increase their own value. For example, if Karimi shines in this tournament, I am sure he will get great offers from European clubs.

Furthermore, the subs we have are close to the level of our legionoers. Whatever tactical shortcomings they might have will be compensated with their hunger for fame and desire to excel.

The same issue, players not beign hungry contributes to a high degree for great national teams like England not to win cups. In Copa America 4 key Brazilian, Ronadinio, Kaka, Ronaldo, .... don't play either. The only way to me is if they don't give 100% bench them.

[Doctor DOOM]

Bench them, if you feel they don't give it their best. These players get name recognition and get in front of eyes of scouts from clubs when they play for team melli. So, this is an opportunity for them to increase their own value. For example, if Karimi shines in this tournament, I am sure he will get great offers from European clubs.
Furthermore, the subs we have are close to the level of our legionoers. Whatever tactical shortcomings they might have will be compensated with their hunger for fame and desire to excel..

spot on, ali jan

[Hajagha]

Bench them, if you feel they don't give it their best...

Ali jan, saying so, it's easy, doing so it's impossible. Reality says so. Besides, you never know before the game, you will know it during the game when you have only 3 cards in hands to sub.

Next match against China, are you willing to bench half of the team, particualry your midfielders, if you were the coach? If yes, thanks god you are not the coach.

[Ali Chicago]

Ali jan, saying so, it's easy, doing so it's impossible. Reality says so. Besides, you never know before the game, you will know it during the game when you have only 3 cards in hands to sub.
Next match against China, are you willing to bench half of the team, particualry your midfielders, if you were the coach? If yes, thanks god you are not the coach.

Haji I am a coach at the youth and high school level in US and please don't tell my club coaching director about this incident!!!! LOL

But seriously Haji, you think Mobali or Rajabzadeh are way worst than Karimi (when Karimi has sub par day)? I am ready to bet you, Ebrahim Sadeghi will play his guts out compared to Ando that is kind of not as hungry as he used to be (now that he plays in Bolton). Put Rahmati (Kianoosh) as defensive mid for Nekoo and you will see how this guy will do. I am not saying all of them will do better than legioners, but boy next time Nekoo is in teh field, you will see magic.

If I was in a team that subs were way way less than my starting eleven, I had to put up with that shit. In this team subs are hungry for fame money, fat contracts. Use the carrot and stick policy.

Hagi this isn't our problem only. Look at England with all his stars at club level. EPL being the best league. Yet at National level no success since 1966Why? Players at the National team level, aren't as hungry. Welcome to complexities of professional football. Pretty soon you will see a lot of pro player opt not to play for their national team anymore. Ronaldinio, Kaka and Ronaldo didn't do that for Brazil in Copa America. Even a Japaneese and Korean player rejected the invite to their TM. This (pro players not giving 100% to their TM) is a new reality. It might not be even concsiously done btw.

[Doctor DOOM]

But seriously Haji, you think Mobali or Rajabzadeh are way worst than Karimi ni a sub par day? I am ready to bet you, Ebrahim Sadeghi will play his guts out compared to Ando that is kind of not as hungry as he used to be (now that he plays in Bolton). Put Rahmati (Kianoosh) as defensive mid for Nekoo and you will see how this guy will do. I am not saying all of them will do better than legioners, but boy next time Nekoo is in teh field, you will see magic.

If I was in a team that subs were way way less than my starting eleven, I had to put up with that shit. In this team subs are hungry for fame money, fat contracts. Use the carrot and stick policy.

another perfect post, ali jan.

hell. I think I'll just stop posting my views and merely say "what ali said".
makes life MUCH MUCH easier for me by saving time..... and no carpal tunnel syndrome for me either.


note: unfortunately, K rahmati is struck off. but playing one of neku or ando would do the job anyway.

[TM-Fan]

However this is not an excuse by any means:
It's too hard to motivate a player who shines in Europe, plays in front of tens of thousands spectators against/with world class players such as Ronaldiniho, Totti, Henry and Ballak to put 100% in a humid, warm, empty stadium against a team no one even heard about their players and in a tournament barely impact any news even in its finale, without any prize.
We all know it's a national team and an honor to play, but this trick works only for a few starting caps. After all they are all young and lack of experience, they think they will be young for ever.
As a coach, it's a "mission impossible" to either bench such a player or motivate him fully. any solution for that? I doubt.
Cheers,

It is actually a good post. In theory there is this simple solution to bench anyone who is not motivated enough, but I think it is more complicated than that.

Apart from the reason that you mentioned, you cannot bring a "big" player all the way from Europe, ask him to risk his club season by not parcipitating in his pre-season practices, just to sit him on the bench. It doesn't work. You will lose the respect of the player in the future. A clear example is Hashemian. A solution to this could be not to invite some of those unmotivated players to the tournament in the first place. Brazil is doing it now in the Copa America, but can we also afford to do it?

[Hajagha]

Well, you guys both know "it's impossible". Besides, imagine, we lose with our B team (when you bench more than 6 players it becomes your B team), who's going to take responsibility?

Even you guys are going to change your nick names. Don't believe me? Ask Peyman why he changed his names many times in the past.

[Hajagha]

It is actually a good post. In theory there is this simple solution to bench anyone who is not motivated enough, but I think it is more complicated than that.
Apart from the reason that you mentioned, you cannot bring a "big" player all the way from Europe, ask him to risk his club season by not parcipitating in his pre-season practices, just to sit him on the bench. It doesn't work. You will lose the respect of the player in the future. A clear example is Hashemian. A solution to this could be not to invite some of those unmotivated players to the tournament in the first place. Brazil is doing it now in the Copa America, but can we also afford to do it?

Very valid point.

[Ali Chicago]

Well, you guys both know "it's impossible". Besides, imagine, we lose with our B team (when you bench more than 6 players it becomes your B team), who's going to take responsibility?
Even you guys are going to change your nick names. Don't believe me? Ask Peyman why he changed his names many times in the past.

Haji joon,

It is not just during the game that GN can observe this. A player plays the way, he practices for most part. So, if Ando or Nekoo aren't giving it 100%, cocah can observe that and talk to them.
Plus belive me Iran can field 3 team right now that are pretty close to each other. Iran's B team right now in this tournament, will be a contender. There is't much differnce between a 50-50 Karimi and 100% Hungry Shojai. A 100% hungry Ebrahim Sadeghi vs Ando.
Whenever in the games yesterday, Iran's team speed went high, Uzbakistan was vulnerable. Look at the first 15 minutes of the first half. Look at second goal. For that team speed, player determination to run his ass off is the main ingrediant.

I never changed my nickname and If I make a mistake, I have no fear to admit the mistake. As for Media, they are on GN's ass anyways. The poor guy can't get a break, unless the team beats the other team more than 4 goals, which isn't going to happen in every game.

[Doctor DOOM]

TM-fan jan, that may be right.
but in cases where the player is clearly under-performing and it is harming the team.
what then?
I say the coach shd have some guts and take resposibility for such actions and bench the player.
however, a little honest talk later on at the hotel, with the player always goes a long way.

---------------------------

ouch !!
well, Reza jan, that depends on the intensity and amount of villainy in me.
( and I'm feeling rather particularly "villanous" towards you about now ... so be careful )

but seriously, thank god. it's never been becoz I was wrong.

coz if it were becoz I was wrong, my username would read things like soghra, sakineh, ... .
just to make sure "others" are reminded of some of those bets.

[Hajagha]

I never changed my nickname.

Of course you didn't. It was a joke for Dr. D. (Peyman) which was not true (he didn't change his name to change his identity). I know him almost for a decade, and I know he is capable to handle some jokes. As a matter of fact, I make joke to the one that I like him. You too, I found you a very classy person who is worth to spend time and chat and learn from, however I know you for much shorter time than Peyman. Hail to both of you.

Back to the topic, of course you have a point, actually I mentioned it and it's part of the solution (or problem), but believe me it's not an easy task.

[Ali Chicago]

Of course you didn't. It was a joke for Dr. D. (Peyman) which was not true (he didn't change his name to change his identity). I know him almost for a decade, and I know he is capable to handle some jokes. As a matter of fact, I make joke to the one that I like him. You too, I found you a very classy person who is worth to spend time and chat and learn from, however I know you for much shorter time than Peyman. Hail to both of you.
Back to the topic, of course you have a point, actually I mentioned it and it's part of the solution (or problem), but believe me it's not an easy task.

Thanks Haji for the kind words and without apple shinning and Irani taroof feeling is mutual. I can totally undrestand it when you say it is not EASY. I have made decisions and during the whole game, only god knows what went through my mind and heart.
But then again there is a huge and I mean HUGE difference between a crappy high school team and a NATIONL TEAM. So I get your point. It is easy for me to sit next the "GOUD VA BEGAM LENGESH KON".
That is the beauty of life though. No pain no gain. If GN wins the AFC, he will be promoted to a totally different plane as far as coaching concerned (and maybe despite the cringe of many of PFDC memebers) keep his job as TM head coach.

[Doctor DOOM]

een haji-e ma ham hendooneh forooshi vaaz karde-haa !

aval tackle mizaneh too halemoon, baad hendoone-haash ro michepooneh zeer-e baghalemoon !