The Argentinians Are More Stressed Than We Are: An Interview With Reza Ghoochannejhad

Reza Ghoochannejhad has been in the headlines, not only in Iran, but also on the FIFA website. Football commentators and experts praised his performance during the game against Nigeria, and his name appeared next to Lionel Messi and other huge football celebrities on the site for days after the match. 

The polite and cheerful Iranian striker failed to score a goal against Nigeria, but without a doubt, he was one of the best on the field. And in the qualifying match against South Korea, commentators called him an “epic-maker”.

IranWire talked to him just before the Iran-Argentina game.

In a few hours you will be playing against Argentina. Are you ready?

Fortunately our team is in good shape. We are to play against one of the best teams in the world and I think we are under less pressure than the Argentinians. They are thinking about winning  the World Cup and we just want to perform well. So we will be more relaxed.

Many football fans are worried about the results of the Iran-Argentina game. Is the team feeling the same way?

We are not worried. Playing against Argentina in the World Cup is a victory for us and we are trying to enjoy the match. As I said, there is no pressure on our team and we will play with less stress.

How does it feel to play against some of the best footballers in the world?

I am very glad that we are playing against Argentina and I hope I can learn from great footballers such as Messi. But I must say that when the opening whistle sounds, the presence of players like Messi will not be important to me and my teammates. When the battle is underway we want to play as best as we can.

As the only striker in the Iranian team, have you been put under pressure?

Not at all. We should remember that the Iranian National Team is not Brazil or Argentina with many star players. We are a team and we must play as a tight team. We must have strong tactics to succeed in the field. When necessary, we all play defense and when it is time to attack we all play as a team. I don’t think any player will come under particular pressure.

As the only striker in the team who has scored goals in many matches, do you think you would score goals in these games as well?

I cannot say with certainty that I will score goals but I hope so. I will do anything to make my team successful in the World Cup. Our players are highly motivated and want to perform well. We only think about playing well. Football is a team game.

What do you think about the match against Bosnia next week?

Bosnia has shown that it is a good and powerful team. But we want to make sure we're not just providing fun for the teams we play. 

Recently there have been reports that Carlos Queiroz plans to move on after the World Cup games. What happens to the Iranian National Team if he leaves?

If Queiroz leaves, Iranian football will be the loser. It would be a bad thing. Queiroz has been in Iranian football for three years and knows all the players. I cannot believe he won't be there after the World Cup. I hope he stays with the team.