Right choice is the key, says Iranian coach

MUMBAI: One of the Youth World Cup qualifiers, the Iran Youth team is here participating in the 100th Bristol Rovers Cup and there are many lessons to be learnt from them. Thirty years back, in the 70''s, India and Iran were almost at the same level but while their football standards made a gradual progress, the Indians'' have experienced nothing but a slump.The Times of India took this opportunity to speak to the current Iranian youth team coach, Mehdi Monjati, who has been a part of Iran''s success formula and after the interview, the reasons were clear for India''s downfall. While the Iran Football Association did everything possible in a sincere bid to make Iran a respected figure in world football, the AIFF were just content resting on their laurels. As a result, while the world made rapid progress in the king of all sports, Indian standards stagnated. Take this Iranian youth team for example. There are eight officials including four coaches looking after different aspects of the game. This should be enough indication of their zeal to excel at all levels. As part of their preparation for the World Youth Cup, the Iranians apart from a comprehensive training programme had a three week stay at Inter Milan, utilising the facilities of the Serie A heavyweights. Ironically, Monjati is mighty impressed by the display of Air India and feels there is no reason, if given proper and systematic training, why India cannot excel in football. He believes that the Indians neither lack skills nor strength and have the talent to be a force to reckon with in Asian football. Excerpts from the interview: Your opinion on Indian football during your playing days? Indian football during those times was very good. They were a major force during 70''s. The Indian Youth team was also very good. In fact they were joint champions with Iran in 1975 Youth Asian Cup. Your impression on the teams participating in the Rovers Cup? I think the teams participating here are quiet good. Air India played a very good game. What do you think Indian players lack? The players I have seen, can make a good team. Technically and skill wise, they are okay. And if they can play on this ground condition, they certainly have good strength and stamina. If the right players are selected and given proper training and encouragement, they can make a formidable side. Right choice is the key. What about the height and build disadvantage? That can be worked upon. You should work at it from the grassroots. If you start early, then they will definitely grow up better. Thirty years ago we were at the same level. But while Iran''s standard gradually shot up, India''s slumped. What was the key to your progress? We have worked on our football, spent a lot on the game. Invested on our youth. There has been proper planning. We have a regulated, closely monitored football league. The teams have been given a lot of international exposure by participation in international tournaments. There have been a lot of classes for coaches in the country as well as abroad. All this has contributed to the progress of football in Iran. How much foreign help you have taken for your development programme? We have been inviting foreign coaches but we have spend more money on grooming our own coaches. Iranian coaches do have the ability and because of their intelligence and experience they can catch ideas very fast. Most of the coaching sessions in Iran are conducted by Europeans but we have been sending our coaches to Brazil as well, so that they can grasp different coaching styles. What style is Iran adopting, the European or Latin American? We play mostly European style. We play a team game. There may be some brilliant individuals in the team but we concentrate on a team effort. How do you compare Asian and world standards? We have still a lot of time to reach that level. Lot of investment is required. Professional leagues should be followed and clubs should be allowed to use foreign players for better future. (Mehdi Monjati played for Iran from 1974 to 1980 and is a two-time Asian Cup champion. He also played in the Munich Olympics. This is his second trip to India. Earlier he had come with Iran''s top side, Pas Club, in 1976 to participate in the IFA Shield. Manjoti has been the head coach of the senior Iran national team for one year and asst. coach for two years).