“Team Melli needs new blood”, says IFF VP

Iranian Football Federation Vice President Mehdi Taj thinks that Team Melli needs new blood.

In an interview with Reporters Taj told reporters that he thinks new and younger players need to be recruited into Team Melli.

“I am generally happy with the progress that is being made in the senior team, but I think we need to bring in new players. If you look back at our 80s and 90s generation, you’d agree with me that we had a much stronger pool of talent” said Taj. “We just have to work harder at developing new talents.  Coach Afshin Ghotbi is making good progress, but he only can draw from the pool of talent that is available within our domestic league, and I am sure you’d agree that our domestic league is not the strongest in Asia.”

“I am very happy with our U16 program. We spent a good amount of resources on developing it. I think the results of this work will show its impact on the senior side in about four years” continued Taj.

When asked what are the goals set for the U16 in the U16 World Cup tournament in Nigeria, Taj responded, “Making it passed the first round”