This deserves its own thread - Dr Craig Duncan is one of the absolute best in the business. Look at what he says about Carlos Queiroz.
This is a must read and cannot be lost on us one what we exactly have with Carlos Queiroz. A great article!!
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Iran’s Asian Cup dream overseen by Australian guru
Expectation might be sky-high on Iran to break their 43-year Asian Cup drought this January, but they have a secret weapon in the fight to conquer Asia – and he’s Australian.
Regarded as one of the best sports scientists in the world, Dr Craig Duncan, was poached by the Iran Football Federation at the behest of coach Carlos Queiroz and his Northern Irish assistant, Mick McDermott.
It was Duncan who masterminded the fitness program of the Socceroos under former coaches Ange Postecoglou and Bert van Marwijk, with the teams hailed for their physical condition at both the 2014 and 2018 World Cups.
But it was the memory of Australia running a well-conditioned South Korean team off their legs in extra time of the 2015 Asian Cup final which stuck in the mind of Queiroz – the famous coach who was once an assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United and in charge of Real Madrid.
“Carlos has an outstanding reputation in the world of football, but none of what I had heard or read reflects how good he is,” Duncan told The World Game at Iran’s team hotel in Abu Dhabi. “His attention to detail, work ethic, leadership, knowledge of football and general ability to prepare a team is at a unique level.”
“Similar to all great leaders, he is open to ideas if they have substance and are based on sound evidence. The coach and staff have created a very positive working environment that is very process-focussed. It’s all about getting the best outcome.”
There’s serious pressure on Queiroz's men to lift the trophy in Abu Dhabi, for this generation of Iranian players may be the most talented since the famed squad that made it to the 1998 World Cup.
But while the hype and expectation in Iran is at fever pitch, part of Duncan’s remit is to keep the squad as grounded as possible.
“Tournaments are about managing the “noise”, which largely come from external expectations,” Duncan said. “For us, we have to be focusing on what is within the control of the players, team and coaching staff. That means everything, for us, is driven by our first game against Yemen. We can’t be looking beyond that.
“Fortunately, these players have a great psychological strength and they understand what's ahead of them. I think we’ve got a great balance.”
While Team Melli should get off to a winning start against the lowly-ranked Yemenis, they will then face Iraq – who eliminated them in 2015 at the quarter-final stage – and Vietnam, hailed as one of Asia's most technically-gifted teams after a decade of investment.
Aside from getting his players in peak physical condition, Duncan does a power of work on the mental side of the game, something Iran have struggled with at recent tournaments.
“These events present unique obstacles compared to regular club football competition. You have to tailor a very kind of program,” he said. “The well-being of the players is something we’re continually monitoring. I firmly believe a holistic approach is fundamental to success in such a high-pressure environment and we’ve done a huge amount of work to bring that to our camp.
“You’re always moving around during tournament play and having to adjust to new environments every few days. It's not easy. But if you can maintain sound routines – like sleep, nutrition and recovery – it really enhances the psychological status. That gives players every opportunity to perform when the key moments arrive.”
While the Iranian team might feature some massive individual names, headlined by brilliant striker Sardar Azmoun, the lightning-fast Ashkan Dejagah and the inspirational leadership of Masoud Shojaei and Ehsan Hajsafi, Duncan says the team have embraced his new methods.
“The players have been very receptive to my philosophy – although for some of them, what we’re doing is very new,” he said. “But all of them have shown a passion and desire to train at the highest level whilst displaying a level of humility and respect that, quite frankly, is outstanding.”
While some may be concerned at the thought of Australian expertise being used by a potential rival, Duncan believes the local football community should aspire to spread even more knowledge through the world football – and to pick up new ideas to bring home.
“Working across the world can only enhance football science in Australia as every opportunity offers great learning experiences,” he said. “The reputation of Australian football scientists has grown internationally through the work of people such as Dr Darren Burgess (now at Arsenal) and many others. It is important that we continue to grow our knowledge and what I'm doing here is part of that.”
Arnold will lead Australia into the tournament for the second time on Sunday when the Socceroos begin their title defence against Jordan in the United Arab Emirates city of Al Ain.
The 2007 Asian Cup was largely a disaster for the rookie coach as his side exited in the quarter-finals to Japan.
Over a decade later, Arnold is back, and he's expecting a much different outcome for both him and the team starting with an emphatic opening display against the Jordanians.
"These boys are ready," Arnold said.
"I'm expecting a great performance and a great scoreline."
Australia enter the tournament without injured trio Aaron Mooy, Daniel Arzani and Martin Boyle while experienced winger Mathew Leckie is unlikely to feature in any of the group stage matches as he recovers from a hamstring strain.
It's also Australia's first tournament in over a decade without the presence of either record goalscorer Tim Cahill and midfield general Mile Jedinak.
Arnold is viewing those absences as an opportunity for Australia's new generation of players including rising stars such as Awer Mabil, Andrew Nabbout and Chris Ikonomidis to show their talent to the world.
"I get goosebumps now thinking about it because it's like we've got some great players," Arnold said.
"I do believe quite a number don't realise how good this team is and how good this team will be."
Jordan did beat Australia at the start of the last World Cup qualifying period at home but are on to their sixth coach in less that four years in former Belgium assistant coach Vital Borkelmans.
His surprising omission of star striker Hamza Al Dardour has raised eyebrows, putting a lot of pressure on 21-year-old winger Musa Al-Taamari to provide an attacking threat against the Socceroos.
Arnold says he's aware of the Cyprus-based Al-Taamari, who has scored seven goals in 11 league matches for Apoel Nicosia since making a move there in June.
"We will nullify their strengths, we work on that the day before the game and expose their weaknesses," Arnold said.
"The commitment to each other is there, no excuses and I can't wait to get started."
https://sl.sbs.com.au/public/image/f...6ea4/crop/16x9
This is a must read and cannot be lost on us one what we exactly have with Carlos Queiroz. A great article!!
----------
Iran’s Asian Cup dream overseen by Australian guru
Expectation might be sky-high on Iran to break their 43-year Asian Cup drought this January, but they have a secret weapon in the fight to conquer Asia – and he’s Australian.
Regarded as one of the best sports scientists in the world, Dr Craig Duncan, was poached by the Iran Football Federation at the behest of coach Carlos Queiroz and his Northern Irish assistant, Mick McDermott.
It was Duncan who masterminded the fitness program of the Socceroos under former coaches Ange Postecoglou and Bert van Marwijk, with the teams hailed for their physical condition at both the 2014 and 2018 World Cups.
But it was the memory of Australia running a well-conditioned South Korean team off their legs in extra time of the 2015 Asian Cup final which stuck in the mind of Queiroz – the famous coach who was once an assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United and in charge of Real Madrid.
“Carlos has an outstanding reputation in the world of football, but none of what I had heard or read reflects how good he is,” Duncan told The World Game at Iran’s team hotel in Abu Dhabi. “His attention to detail, work ethic, leadership, knowledge of football and general ability to prepare a team is at a unique level.”
“Similar to all great leaders, he is open to ideas if they have substance and are based on sound evidence. The coach and staff have created a very positive working environment that is very process-focussed. It’s all about getting the best outcome.”
There’s serious pressure on Queiroz's men to lift the trophy in Abu Dhabi, for this generation of Iranian players may be the most talented since the famed squad that made it to the 1998 World Cup.
But while the hype and expectation in Iran is at fever pitch, part of Duncan’s remit is to keep the squad as grounded as possible.
“Tournaments are about managing the “noise”, which largely come from external expectations,” Duncan said. “For us, we have to be focusing on what is within the control of the players, team and coaching staff. That means everything, for us, is driven by our first game against Yemen. We can’t be looking beyond that.
“Fortunately, these players have a great psychological strength and they understand what's ahead of them. I think we’ve got a great balance.”
While Team Melli should get off to a winning start against the lowly-ranked Yemenis, they will then face Iraq – who eliminated them in 2015 at the quarter-final stage – and Vietnam, hailed as one of Asia's most technically-gifted teams after a decade of investment.
Aside from getting his players in peak physical condition, Duncan does a power of work on the mental side of the game, something Iran have struggled with at recent tournaments.
“These events present unique obstacles compared to regular club football competition. You have to tailor a very kind of program,” he said. “The well-being of the players is something we’re continually monitoring. I firmly believe a holistic approach is fundamental to success in such a high-pressure environment and we’ve done a huge amount of work to bring that to our camp.
“You’re always moving around during tournament play and having to adjust to new environments every few days. It's not easy. But if you can maintain sound routines – like sleep, nutrition and recovery – it really enhances the psychological status. That gives players every opportunity to perform when the key moments arrive.”
While the Iranian team might feature some massive individual names, headlined by brilliant striker Sardar Azmoun, the lightning-fast Ashkan Dejagah and the inspirational leadership of Masoud Shojaei and Ehsan Hajsafi, Duncan says the team have embraced his new methods.
“The players have been very receptive to my philosophy – although for some of them, what we’re doing is very new,” he said. “But all of them have shown a passion and desire to train at the highest level whilst displaying a level of humility and respect that, quite frankly, is outstanding.”
While some may be concerned at the thought of Australian expertise being used by a potential rival, Duncan believes the local football community should aspire to spread even more knowledge through the world football – and to pick up new ideas to bring home.
“Working across the world can only enhance football science in Australia as every opportunity offers great learning experiences,” he said. “The reputation of Australian football scientists has grown internationally through the work of people such as Dr Darren Burgess (now at Arsenal) and many others. It is important that we continue to grow our knowledge and what I'm doing here is part of that.”
Arnold will lead Australia into the tournament for the second time on Sunday when the Socceroos begin their title defence against Jordan in the United Arab Emirates city of Al Ain.
The 2007 Asian Cup was largely a disaster for the rookie coach as his side exited in the quarter-finals to Japan.
Over a decade later, Arnold is back, and he's expecting a much different outcome for both him and the team starting with an emphatic opening display against the Jordanians.
"These boys are ready," Arnold said.
"I'm expecting a great performance and a great scoreline."
Australia enter the tournament without injured trio Aaron Mooy, Daniel Arzani and Martin Boyle while experienced winger Mathew Leckie is unlikely to feature in any of the group stage matches as he recovers from a hamstring strain.
It's also Australia's first tournament in over a decade without the presence of either record goalscorer Tim Cahill and midfield general Mile Jedinak.
Arnold is viewing those absences as an opportunity for Australia's new generation of players including rising stars such as Awer Mabil, Andrew Nabbout and Chris Ikonomidis to show their talent to the world.
"I get goosebumps now thinking about it because it's like we've got some great players," Arnold said.
"I do believe quite a number don't realise how good this team is and how good this team will be."
Jordan did beat Australia at the start of the last World Cup qualifying period at home but are on to their sixth coach in less that four years in former Belgium assistant coach Vital Borkelmans.
His surprising omission of star striker Hamza Al Dardour has raised eyebrows, putting a lot of pressure on 21-year-old winger Musa Al-Taamari to provide an attacking threat against the Socceroos.
Arnold says he's aware of the Cyprus-based Al-Taamari, who has scored seven goals in 11 league matches for Apoel Nicosia since making a move there in June.
"We will nullify their strengths, we work on that the day before the game and expose their weaknesses," Arnold said.
"The commitment to each other is there, no excuses and I can't wait to get started."
https://sl.sbs.com.au/public/image/f...6ea4/crop/16x9
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