Afghan Futsal Coach Highlights Team’s Progress and Calls for Fairness

Majid Mortezaei, head coach of Afghanistan’s national futsal team, defended his squad’s performance at the Islamic Solidarity Games and emphasized that Afghanistan’s current progress in futsal would not have been possible without the support of Iran…

A New Power Emerges in Asia

Majid Mortezaei, the coach of the Afghan national futsal team, assessed his team’s performance in the group stage of the Islamic Solidarity Games, stating that the advancement of Iran and Morocco to the finals reflects the competitiveness of Group A. He noted that the two-to-two draw against Iran showcased that a new force has emerged in Asia, capable of making significant contributions to the sport.

Mortezaei pointed out that Afghanistan had more dangerous opportunities against Iran. He emphasized that if one of his players had been more precise in the final five seconds, victory would have been theirs, potentially allowing them to advance over Iran.

Ultimate Goal: Asian Cup Finals

The Afghan futsal coach criticized Iranian futsal experts, suggesting that the recognition of Afghanistan’s progress might be difficult for some. He shared that his team had specific strategies during matches that have not been sufficiently addressed in Iran.

Confidently, he expressed his belief in his team’s capabilities to compete against Iran in the Asian Cup Finals. He highlighted that Afghanistan has climbed from the 110th to the 30th position in the world rankings, asserting that if the Afghan Football Federation makes improvements in nutrition, accommodation, and fitness training, the national team could rank among the top four in Asia.

He also addressed the tough competition faced from Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Malaysia in the Asian Cup, vowing that they would stand strong against Japan and Uzbekistan, stating there is no need to fear these teams as Iran has no rivals in Asia, and worrying about other competitors can hinder player performance.

Acknowledging Iran’s Role

In a critical component of his remarks, Mortezaei acknowledged Iran’s direct role in the growth of Afghan futsal. Despite the ongoing challenges in relations between the two countries, he stated that no matter what actions are taken, Afghanistan cannot be separated from Iran.

When asked about the prospects for Afghan futsal without Iranian support, he asserted that the progress witnessed in Afghanistan would not have been possible otherwise. He cited Iran’s strong futsal presence as a significant factor in supporting Afghanistan, highlighting that Afghan coaches have gained essential experience in Iran, asserting that Afghan players competing in Iran’s top leagues are stronger than 70% of Asian teams.

Strong Criticism of Discriminatory Laws

The national team coach strongly condemned the decision by the Qom Football Association to prohibit Afghan players from participating in the province, along with the regulations of the Iranian Futsal League.

He questioned, “Whether you like it or not, Afghan futsal is on the rise—why don’t you want to be a part of this progress?” Mortezaei also criticized the Premier League’s rule limiting the number of Afghan players allowed on a single team, referencing FIFA regulations regarding resident players, and stated that no nationality should be viewed with disrespect and that racism should have no place in anyone.