Players couldn’t cope with pressure: Ghotbi

AFC – DOHA, Iran coach Afshin Ghotbi felt the weight of expectation perhaps proved too much for his players as the three-time champions saw their AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011 title hopes ended by Korea Republic on Saturday.

The two sides were contesting at the quarter-final stage of the continental tournament for the fifth successive edition and, just as in past encounters, it was a typically close fought affair at Qatar Sports Club Stadium.

After a gruelling 90 minutes ended goalless the game went to extra time, where Korea Republic finally broke the deadlock towards the end of the first period of extra time when substitute Yoon Bit-garam struck to secure a 1-0 victory.

Iran had ambitions of ending a wait of 35 years to lift the AFC Asian Cup trophy once again and Ghotbi conceded that the desire to please the country’s people may have affected the mentality of his players.

“This championship was very important to our players and our team,” said the 46-year-old. “When we reached the second phase we started believing we could be champion and make the people of Iran happy.

“When these two sides meet anything can happen. We tried very hard to get the players to relax and play football, but the Koreans did very well in the midfield and closing down space.

“At half time we talked about it and I think in the second half we improved but not as we would have liked. Again it comes to the importance of winning and I think it got to the players.

“They are tired of not coming home with the trophy for 35 years and they wanted to do this for the people.”

The match marked the last game in charge of the national team for Ghotbi, who steps down to return to club football with Japanese side Shimizu S-Pulse, and the former Persepolis boss is confident he leaves Iran with a bright future ahead of them.

“This team has a great future and a lot of rising stars and I will follow them from a distance,” he said.

“I want to thank the Iranian people for all their support over the last three years. There are moments with Iran I will never forget.”

As for a potential return to management in Iran somewhere down the line, Ghotbi was ruling nothing out and added: “Iran is where I was born and you can never say never.

“If an opportunity comes in the next 20 years – and I hope to work for the next 20 years – then I will consider and explore that opportunity at that time.”