Bochum's coach rips Hashemian's training performance ahead of clash with Karslruhe

IRNA - VfL Bochum coach Marcel Koller strongly criticized the training performance of Vahid Hashemian only 24 hours before the opening match of the new Bundesliga season at Karlsruhe, the online site of the bi-weekly kicker sports magazine reported Friday.

"Although he (Hashemian) says he is ready to play. I see and sense something different," Koller said.

"It is not enough to display a good performance in only one practice session or to think you could simply step it up in the game," the Swiss trainer added.

Hashemian who was bogged down with backache during pre-season training camp, was initially planned to be in Bochum's starting formation for Saturday's encounter in Karlsruhe.

The 31-year-old Iranian national team forward returned to Bochum by signing a two-year contract in April with an option for an additional season.

Hashemian who played for Bochum from 2001 until 2004, was expected to team up with Slovakian striker Stanislav Sestak.

The soft-spoken Iranian footballer whose earlier Bundesliga stops included Hanover, Bayern Munich and Hamburger SV, had his most successful Bundesliga season in 2003-4 when he had 16 goals and two assists for Bochum.