Mohajerani a master-mind in psychology

Former Iranian coach Heshmat Mohajerani would deliberately lose to his players in

Mohajerani, one of Iran’s greatest-ever coaches, was a chess master but equally adept at lifting the mind. Indeed, he placed great emphasis on psychology during his tenure as Team Melli coach in the late 70s.

“No matter how much advancements have been made in technical knowledge and technology, psychology remains the priority in my opinion,” Mohajerani said.

He said when players beat him, an well-known chess expert, they would feel good about themselves and go into their match full of confidence. The players never knew, though, that he deliberately lost.

Mohajerani, who led Iran to AFC Asian Cup glory in 1976, is the latest personality to be featured in the-afc.com’s series to celebrate 2010 as Asian Coaches Year.

Please click here to read the feature.