Iran to surprise football world in future tournaments: German Coach

Berlin, Nov 16, IRNA - Top German coach and former technical director of Iranian first division football team Paykan, Klaus Schlappner, predicted that Iran's national football squad would cause a stir at future international tournaments such as the World Cup and Olympic Games. 
"If Iranian football is strategically well-guided, it could cause a sensation at future World Cups and Olympic football tournaments. I am absolutely convinced of that," Schlappner told IRNA in an exclusive interview. 
The ex-head coach of the Chinese football squad added, "Iran has the capabilities to become a serious rival to leading European national teams." 
Ranking the Iran's national team among the top five in Asia, Schlappner said it was "only a matter of time until Iran would become Asia's number one", surpassing leading Asian football nations like South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia and China. 
The former German Bundesliga coach said Iran's future international success hinged upon a "greater sense of professionalism" among Iranian players. 
He pointed to major shortcomings in Iranian football such as an inferior professional structure, lack of player discipline and difficulties to adapt to a team tactic. 
The trainer hoped that the recent introduction of the new Iranian professional would also benefit the national team. 
Schlappner lamented the fact that Iran's top players were often content with "mediocre performances" citing footballers like Karim Baqeri and Ali Karimi. He also criticized the "selfishness and egocentrically play" of Iranian footballers in a match, stressing that "football is a team sport". 
However the coach also praised the good showing of Iranian Bundesliga legionaries Mehdi Mahdavikia and Vahid Hashemian, saying fellow national squad teammate Alireza Nikbakht-Vahedi was also a prime candidate to sign up with European teams. 
Schlappner who trained Paykan last season, is currently assisting the coach of the German under-21 team, Juergen Kohler, in his bid to form a strong team for the 2006 World Cup in Germany.