Iran’s Asian Cup dream overseen by Australian guru

The World Game SBS – ABU DHABI, 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.”