First of all, happy
birthday!
Oh! Thank you for the thought. Coming on my birthday, I consider
the goal against Al Ain as an invaluable gift given to me by
God.
What are your thoughts
on that game?
Al Ain are a top side. The have some of the best footballers
playing in Asia and are blessed with fantastic training
facilities. They also have a pretty clever coach in (Milan)
Macala, but although he's familiar with Iranians' style of play,
I thought we were in complete control of the first leg. If our
goalkeeper had not been sent off, we could have won the match.
The second leg, of
course, will be played in Tehran in front of your home fans.
What do you need to do to defeat Al Ain?
Well, the most important factor will be our players' morale. As
you said, we'll be backed by our home fans and that will help.
You have been an
important part of Pas' recent rise to the top of Asian football.
Tell us the story of how you became a footballer.
My story is like most other Iranian players. I started to play
with a ball in my city's slums.
I come from Kerman (south-east Iran), a region surrounded by
deserts. When I was a teenager, one of my relatives was in
charge of physical education in Kerman, and he suggested I join
Pas to improve my footballing ability as well as seeing out my
two years' military service. At that time I'd also received
offers from three other clubs, but I finally decided on Tehran
and Pas.
 |
|
Pas' Arash Borhani
competes with Al Ain's Juma Khater (R) in their Asian
Champions League quarter-final first leg match at Tahnon Bin
Mohamed Stadium in the United Arab Emirates September 14,
2005. The match ended 1-1. |
|
(REUTERS) |
|
Adnan Hajj |
In a short time you
have become Pas' star striker and have broken into the Iran
national team. How did you achieve this?
Yes, it all arrived quite suddenly. I was called up to
the Iran national football team (Team Melli) after spending just
six months in the IPL (Iran Pro-League ). I was only a
substitute at the beginning, of course, but having the proper
environment we have at Pas helped me to improve swiftly. I'm
also indebted to some very experienced coaches, who worked with
me on many aspects of my game. Most fans and football
commentators consider me fast and I'm proud of that, but what
I'd most like to improve is my shooting. I've been practising a
lot recently in training and I'm working on converting more of
my chances. I scored two goals from two opportunities in our
first game of the IPL, and I'm hoping that continues.
After winning the Iran
pro-league in 2004 Pas did not do so well last season. What
happened?
I think the situation changed. Because we kicked off
every match as champions, our opponents were ready for us with
their full artillery. We were actually caught off guard and had
some poor results at the beginning of the season. After that we
improved a lot though and only lost two games all told.
What are Pas' strengths
and who are your key players?
We're a pretty balanced side with no weak links. We play as a
team, attacking as one and defending the same. A striker scores
goals but also needs to defend. I guess left-winger Meysam
Mani`yee, who has recently been called up to Team Melli, could
be one to watch out for in the future. He's fast and delivers a
great cross. Another player to take note of is Pas' Under-23
captain. He may still be unknown even to Iranian football fans
but I'm sure he'll be a future star. His name is Milad
Mirdavoudi.
How would you describe
your coach Mustafa Denizli? What are his methods of motivation?
Denizli believes deeply in strict discipline. He's also an
experienced psychologist and uses his knowledge to get the best
from the boys. His suggestions always aim for a positive
reaction from players and his pre-match talk is akin to mental
exercise or us. Technically, he's incredible too.
Who do you consider to
be your biggest rivals for the Asian crown?
Well, I watched all four quarter-finals and I'd have to
say either Al Ain or Busan l'Park will be our biggest rivals.
They are strong sides, but I still think we will win.
What would it mean for
Iran if Pas were to win the Asian Champions League and qualify
for the FIFA Club World Championship in Japan?
It would be Iran's first continental title in 13 years.
Any by becoming the top team in Asia and so representing our
country on a global stage, it would bring so much joy to so many
people back home and would do wonders for the game in Iran.
