http://www.dhnet.be/sports/football/...70f340d740eb21
For those that don't speak french, here a quick translation :
Nong told us about his adventure in Iran: "The fans are more fanatical than in Belgium"
Belgian football fans used to see him play in the Pro League during his spell in Mechelen or Standard. Then the striker landed to Levante in August 2013 but the dream did not go as planned. As a consequence, the contract was cancelled a year later and a growing desire for a change appeared.
"I wanted to renew with the fun of playing football," Aloys Nong told us during a brief visit to Brussels. "I wanted to feel useful again. That is why I joined Foolad, Iran, November 2014, under the guidance of a Cameroonian player already at the club and under the leadership of our Croatian coach who wanted me. Before that, my environment did not allow me to fully show what I could do because I felt unconfident. I did not like it. I like when everything is honest and correct. In Iran, if you're good, you play. No privileges. "
And when Aloys Nong feels good, the goals keep coming. With nine goals in fourteen games, the striker respected the expectations of the western iran club. Foolad was fifth in the championship but could not qualified from the Asian Champions League group stage, the other big motivation for landing in Iran.
After a quick look to the past season, the former "Rouche" is proud and happy with this half-season spent in an unknown environment.
"My wife was the first to be surprised about this destination. When she got some information about this country, most of them were negative. I was myself curious. And I directly got a taste of what was waiting me when I arrived in the country. people don't come in Iran as in Europe. Everything is strict there. All your actions is looked and examined. But the mentality is beautiful and the people are very welcoming. Football speaking, the fans are more fanatical that 'in Belgium. They live only for their team. The biggest match of the Championship between Persepolis and Esteghlal attracts 100,000 spectators. In the big matches we played in front of 40,000 people. "
About the team : For athletes used to professionalism in Europe, Iran is rather exotic. Football is not the same everywhere.
"My team mates first play for the fun. For example, the pre-game concentration before a match is inexistant. But when you're used to it, it becomes fun and you get used to it. It is necessary to respect their way of proceeding. Each country has its specificities. When you manage to understand it, adaptation goes well, "says Aloys Nong.
To sum up, the Cameroonian spent a top experience in Iran. So much so that he would see him back there to continue the adventure.
"I want to come back there. I've already told my wife. I spent wonderful moments," concludes the Jaguar, a nickname given by local supporters.
"Four teammates had to stop playing to join the army"
Aloys Nong returned from Iran with lots of anecdotes.
The army. "You can start the season with a full squad. But in the middle of the season, if the army calls you, you have to go. Before I arrived, four players were away for these reasons. And it is not for a week, but for two years. In addition, they were all in the starting eleven. So I had to play also in CAM or on the left wing to compensate for this lack of players that has prevented us from do better in the league and in the Champions League. "
The free training. "It was at the end of a session. The coach said we end the training with a twenty minute match without a specific theme to follow. Soon, it was the king's court Petaud. A big mess. The three foreigners looked to each other, and wondered what was happening. The winger became center-forward, left defender played right wing. The coach just told us to play. So they took the freedom to move as they wished, to want to dribble everybody ("Not surprising when you are used to watch iranians" PSGman remark) At the end of session, our coach said us: Imagine a dog when he sees a bone. Well, it was the same today when I looked at you. "
The locker rooms. "The program showed that the training was taking place at a specific location. A few minutes before the start of the session, I learned that the place has changed. I get on the pitch and I want to make myself ready. The problem is that there was no locker room. I had to prepare myself on the field. There are many little things like that that are pretty amazing. But as a pro, I I managed to pass over. "
For those that don't speak french, here a quick translation :
Nong told us about his adventure in Iran: "The fans are more fanatical than in Belgium"
Belgian football fans used to see him play in the Pro League during his spell in Mechelen or Standard. Then the striker landed to Levante in August 2013 but the dream did not go as planned. As a consequence, the contract was cancelled a year later and a growing desire for a change appeared.
"I wanted to renew with the fun of playing football," Aloys Nong told us during a brief visit to Brussels. "I wanted to feel useful again. That is why I joined Foolad, Iran, November 2014, under the guidance of a Cameroonian player already at the club and under the leadership of our Croatian coach who wanted me. Before that, my environment did not allow me to fully show what I could do because I felt unconfident. I did not like it. I like when everything is honest and correct. In Iran, if you're good, you play. No privileges. "
And when Aloys Nong feels good, the goals keep coming. With nine goals in fourteen games, the striker respected the expectations of the western iran club. Foolad was fifth in the championship but could not qualified from the Asian Champions League group stage, the other big motivation for landing in Iran.
After a quick look to the past season, the former "Rouche" is proud and happy with this half-season spent in an unknown environment.
"My wife was the first to be surprised about this destination. When she got some information about this country, most of them were negative. I was myself curious. And I directly got a taste of what was waiting me when I arrived in the country. people don't come in Iran as in Europe. Everything is strict there. All your actions is looked and examined. But the mentality is beautiful and the people are very welcoming. Football speaking, the fans are more fanatical that 'in Belgium. They live only for their team. The biggest match of the Championship between Persepolis and Esteghlal attracts 100,000 spectators. In the big matches we played in front of 40,000 people. "
About the team : For athletes used to professionalism in Europe, Iran is rather exotic. Football is not the same everywhere.
"My team mates first play for the fun. For example, the pre-game concentration before a match is inexistant. But when you're used to it, it becomes fun and you get used to it. It is necessary to respect their way of proceeding. Each country has its specificities. When you manage to understand it, adaptation goes well, "says Aloys Nong.
To sum up, the Cameroonian spent a top experience in Iran. So much so that he would see him back there to continue the adventure.
"I want to come back there. I've already told my wife. I spent wonderful moments," concludes the Jaguar, a nickname given by local supporters.
"Four teammates had to stop playing to join the army"
Aloys Nong returned from Iran with lots of anecdotes.
The army. "You can start the season with a full squad. But in the middle of the season, if the army calls you, you have to go. Before I arrived, four players were away for these reasons. And it is not for a week, but for two years. In addition, they were all in the starting eleven. So I had to play also in CAM or on the left wing to compensate for this lack of players that has prevented us from do better in the league and in the Champions League. "
The free training. "It was at the end of a session. The coach said we end the training with a twenty minute match without a specific theme to follow. Soon, it was the king's court Petaud. A big mess. The three foreigners looked to each other, and wondered what was happening. The winger became center-forward, left defender played right wing. The coach just told us to play. So they took the freedom to move as they wished, to want to dribble everybody ("Not surprising when you are used to watch iranians" PSGman remark) At the end of session, our coach said us: Imagine a dog when he sees a bone. Well, it was the same today when I looked at you. "
The locker rooms. "The program showed that the training was taking place at a specific location. A few minutes before the start of the session, I learned that the place has changed. I get on the pitch and I want to make myself ready. The problem is that there was no locker room. I had to prepare myself on the field. There are many little things like that that are pretty amazing. But as a pro, I I managed to pass over. "
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