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www.footballmedia.net – Kaveh
Mahjoob: With the announcement of FIFA’s partial lifting of
suspension against Iran, Iran’s U23 team is now able to travel to Doha
and participate in the Asian Games. This team has been coached and
prepared by Brazilian Renê Simões for over a year. When a few days ago
Iran’s suspension was announced, his hard work of the past year seemed
to have been wasted. That is not the case anymore and Iran’s U23 and
Simões will have their days at the Asian Games.
This interview took place at 8:30 AM,
November 27, 2006, Tehran time just hours before Renê Simões and his
team’s flight to Doha.
Kaveh – Congratulations!
How did you hear about the partial lifting of the suspension?
Simões – Throughout the
day yesterday (November 26th), I was in touch with IFF (Iran’s Football
Federation) management and was aware of the work they were doing with
FIFA. I knew in the morning we had a chance. By the afternoon, we were
waiting for the confirmation which came in the evening.
Kaveh – When did you tell
the players?
Simões – I took a chance
and told them in the afternoon. We were close enough to the confirmation
that I took the risk even though it was not 100%. I told them we were
going to Doha, go and pack.
Kaveh – How did the team
take it?
Simões – We are very
happy. I feel like my players have gone through a post traumatic stress
after an accident. We had the players’ batteries fully charged for the
tournament. We were ready. Then, batteries were totally discharged, all
energies were gone. They are now recharged. We need to stay focused and
work with the team.
Kaveh – Over the past few
days, how did you keep the players motivated?
Simões – We gave them
hope and worked on that aspect of mental coaching. Here is one story I
shared with them. Last year, in the Brazilin Championship, Corinthians
was two points ahead of Internacional. Internacional didn’t expect
Corinthians to lose their last match against a weak team. Corinthians
lost but the emotionally unprepared Internacional also lost. I told my
players you should never lose hope.
Kaveh – Will the
experience of the last few days provide a positive impact to further
unify your team?
Simões – One would never
know. We have to work through the right emotional channels and
capitalize on the news. You would never know what the real impact on
these young men would be.
Kaveh – You have been
with this team for over a year. Is this your team?
Simões – I have been with
them for 13 months. This is not just my team, it is like my baby and
these are my children.
Kaveh – How far will you
go in the tournament?
Simões – Before these
events, I could have told you that we were fully prepared. Now, I know
that I have to work on the psychological side of the team in days to
come. We need these days to prepare mentally.
Kaveh – You are in a weak
group. Which of the powerful teams do you worry about?
Simões – I wouldn’t name
names. Here is how I would look at it. I don’t like weaker groups and
prefer to have had stronger teams in our group. If we had a strong team
like Japan, Korea or Saudi Arabia in the group, they would have prepared
us better for the next stage.
Kaveh – Tell us a few
words about your two Iranian assistants; Panjali and Abedzadeh.
Simões – Panjali is
already in our list and the federation has been trying to include
Abedzadeh as my assistant for the tournament. They are both new in
coaching but are working very well with me. Abedzadeh’s attitude has
been great. Players like him very much and he has been a great positive
influence. I am very pleased with both of them.
Kaveh – As my last
question, how is your daughter doing? (Renê Simões’s daughter has been
ill and he had been back to Brazil to be with her recently)
Simões - Thanks for
asking. She is OK and under Dr.’s care.
Kaveh – Thanks for your
time and let’s talk again after Iran advanced from the group stage.
Simões – Thank you and I
look forward to the talk.
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