Mani
20 May 2006, 02:18 AM
http://www.iransportspress.com/?c=143&a=3161
Vahid Hashemian is arguably Iran’s top striker, and will be one of Iran’s most important players in the upcoming World Cup. Speaking exclusively to ISP, Hashemian discussed his recent injury, his club situation and the upcoming 2006 World Cup.
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IRANSPORTSPRESS.COM: Looking at other teams in the group, such as Portugal, Mexico and Angola, don’t you think they are much better prepared than Iran, as they have had more friendly games?
Vahid Hashemian: Well, first of all, keep in mind that any team in the World Cup is strong and is capable of advancing to the second round. I don’t actually know too much about the preparation of other teams in our group, but I do know that they are very strong and have big potential. Also, Angola is a strong team, just look who did they beat to qualify to the World Cup. Nigeria is one of the greatest teams in Africa. As a matter of fact, Iran is also a great team and we have equal chances to win against any team, even though we have played fewer friendly games. I can assure our fans that we will work very hard on our game in the next few weeks before the World Cup and we will be as prepared as any team when we get to Germany.
IRANSPORTSPRESS.COM: Which team is your favorite team at the World Cup?
Vahid Hashemian: As I have said, all teams are stronger and better than before. We saw in Euro 2004, a relatively ‘small’ team such as Greece won the Cup, even though no one had expected them to win. Last time in Japan, who thought Turkey or even South Korea could head to the semi-final stage?
IRANSPORTSPRESS.COM: Which team do you think will be the biggest surprise?
Vahid Hashemian: Why not Iran? We are no less than any other team. We have a strong desire to beat other teams. I also think that African teams will be very strong this year, and maybe one or two Asian teams can go far, too.
IRANSPORTSPRESS.COM: Have you thought about which team you would like to play against in the next round?
Vahid Hashemian: No, I havent thought so far ahead. First we have to qualify from our group.
IRANSPORTSPRESS.COM: Where do you see Iran’s strength?
Vahid Hashemian: I do believe that we are technically strong, as we have some gifted players. We have players that have unique skills and this can be useful when playing against our opponents.
IRANSPORTSPRESS.COM: Does this mean that players like Ronaldo or Deco need to watch out?
Vahid Hashemian: They should not take us any less seriously than anyone else. I do believe that they are strong, skilled players but we are also strong and we can use our best to conjure success.
IRANSPORTSPRESS.COM: Recently we heard in the news that the Iranian National team fears terrorist attacks during the World Cup. How do you confront this situation?
Vahid Hashemian: In our current way of life, the risk of being attacked by someone is existent for everyone, no matter what type of status you have in society. Even fame won’t protect you much or minimize the risk. However, I am most confident that we, as a great nation, will protect ourselves from any outside influence and we will have to show everyone that we are here to play great games with fair play in mind. As you are aware, Iran won the fair play trophy in the World Cup 1998 in France.
IRANSPORTSPRESS.COM: Do you have any messages for our great and beloved fans, inside and outside the stadium?
Vahid Hashemian: Yes I do. Please let us all show that we are united when it comes to sports and fair play. Let us all show that we want Iran to win, and that with sportsmanship we can bring people from diverse cultural backgrounds together to celebrate such a great tournament. Politics and economy should have no influence in sports. We have to praise our cultural identity to everyone, with harmony and peaceful action, we can show the flag of the great Iranian nation. So let us all celebrate together and cheer for our national team and show everyone that we are indeed a peaceful nation.
Vahid Hashemian is arguably Iran’s top striker, and will be one of Iran’s most important players in the upcoming World Cup. Speaking exclusively to ISP, Hashemian discussed his recent injury, his club situation and the upcoming 2006 World Cup.
......
IRANSPORTSPRESS.COM: Looking at other teams in the group, such as Portugal, Mexico and Angola, don’t you think they are much better prepared than Iran, as they have had more friendly games?
Vahid Hashemian: Well, first of all, keep in mind that any team in the World Cup is strong and is capable of advancing to the second round. I don’t actually know too much about the preparation of other teams in our group, but I do know that they are very strong and have big potential. Also, Angola is a strong team, just look who did they beat to qualify to the World Cup. Nigeria is one of the greatest teams in Africa. As a matter of fact, Iran is also a great team and we have equal chances to win against any team, even though we have played fewer friendly games. I can assure our fans that we will work very hard on our game in the next few weeks before the World Cup and we will be as prepared as any team when we get to Germany.
IRANSPORTSPRESS.COM: Which team is your favorite team at the World Cup?
Vahid Hashemian: As I have said, all teams are stronger and better than before. We saw in Euro 2004, a relatively ‘small’ team such as Greece won the Cup, even though no one had expected them to win. Last time in Japan, who thought Turkey or even South Korea could head to the semi-final stage?
IRANSPORTSPRESS.COM: Which team do you think will be the biggest surprise?
Vahid Hashemian: Why not Iran? We are no less than any other team. We have a strong desire to beat other teams. I also think that African teams will be very strong this year, and maybe one or two Asian teams can go far, too.
IRANSPORTSPRESS.COM: Have you thought about which team you would like to play against in the next round?
Vahid Hashemian: No, I havent thought so far ahead. First we have to qualify from our group.
IRANSPORTSPRESS.COM: Where do you see Iran’s strength?
Vahid Hashemian: I do believe that we are technically strong, as we have some gifted players. We have players that have unique skills and this can be useful when playing against our opponents.
IRANSPORTSPRESS.COM: Does this mean that players like Ronaldo or Deco need to watch out?
Vahid Hashemian: They should not take us any less seriously than anyone else. I do believe that they are strong, skilled players but we are also strong and we can use our best to conjure success.
IRANSPORTSPRESS.COM: Recently we heard in the news that the Iranian National team fears terrorist attacks during the World Cup. How do you confront this situation?
Vahid Hashemian: In our current way of life, the risk of being attacked by someone is existent for everyone, no matter what type of status you have in society. Even fame won’t protect you much or minimize the risk. However, I am most confident that we, as a great nation, will protect ourselves from any outside influence and we will have to show everyone that we are here to play great games with fair play in mind. As you are aware, Iran won the fair play trophy in the World Cup 1998 in France.
IRANSPORTSPRESS.COM: Do you have any messages for our great and beloved fans, inside and outside the stadium?
Vahid Hashemian: Yes I do. Please let us all show that we are united when it comes to sports and fair play. Let us all show that we want Iran to win, and that with sportsmanship we can bring people from diverse cultural backgrounds together to celebrate such a great tournament. Politics and economy should have no influence in sports. We have to praise our cultural identity to everyone, with harmony and peaceful action, we can show the flag of the great Iranian nation. So let us all celebrate together and cheer for our national team and show everyone that we are indeed a peaceful nation.