11/16/2008
Mehran Afshar, lastkick.com

Mehran Afshar reports from Team Melli's training ground in Tehran, Iran.

It was a very cold autumn afternoon in Tehran, but Team Melli had a very active and diversified 90 minutes of non-stop practice session that warmed up the camp.

Few fans showed up yesterday to witness the exercise and bid farewell to the lads before they depart to Dubai for their crucial WC qualifier clash with U.A.E. next Wednesday.

Karim Bagheri was lead the team and the younger players siplayed their utmost respect and obedience towards him.

Houman Afazeli presided over the exercise in absence of Ali Daei, who turned up 45 minutes late in his Black shiny S class Mercedes wearing a pair of jeans and a black leather Jacket.

It was clear that the fast and coordinated transition from defense to offense (and vise-versa) was in the TM main plan and the exercises were designed to increase the team's speed and coordination.

The goalkeepers were busy working under Behzad Gholampur. Mohamad Mohamadi looked in good shape and form. His inclusion in lieu of injured of Rahman Ahmadi was welcomed by the fans. Rahmati is recovering from his shoulder injury. The other keeper Vahid Taleblou looked fit and sharp.

Overall, the TM lads looked determined and in high spirits. Even though about half of them are going to be on the bench or the spectators’ seat, they seemed very motivated and positive in all stages of the practice phases. Nouri, Kaebi, Baou, Maziar Zare, and Madanchi were the most active players.

It was one of the better sessions of TM with Afazeli in recent months. The most difficult thing is to match the legionaries with this bunch and have a coordinated smooth performance on Wednesday.