ISP Exclusive interview with Mehdi Mahdavikia

Iran Sports Press: Thanks for giving us the chance to hear your views. Can we start by asking what do you think is the reason behind your lack of first team football with Hamburg this season? Do you think the reasons are only performance-related?

Mehdi Mahdavikia: Well, before the season started I already participated in the Asian Cup which lasted about 20 days. The games were very exhausting and I participated in six hard games. After the tournament I had to return to my club but I was very tired and adding to this the team had serious problems at the beginning of the season. Then Thomas Doll was appointed as the new coach, he changed the team slightly and had immediate success. As everybody knows you don’t change a winning team so I found myself on the bench for most of the games from then on. In the second half of the season I trained very hard and started three or four games. Fortunately I played well in the last two league games. About why I didn’t start in previous matches this season I can only say that it was coach’s decision not to use me.

Iran Sports Press: So do you think your situation has now changed after your two recent performances?

Mehdi Mahdavikia: Of course. I am happy that I could play up to the expectations in the last two games and I hope that this will continue in the remaining five games before the summer break.

Iran Sports Press: So will you be staying with Hamburg until the end of your current contract?

Mehdi Mahdavikia: Yes, I have a contract which ends in 2007 and I will definitely stay at Hamburg.

Iran Sports Press: How do you see your relationship with your coach Thomas Doll and your team manager Beiersdorfer? It seemed like you had some disagreements in recent weeks and they criticized your performances in public. Are these now solved?

Mehdi Mahdavikia: We didn’t have any strong disagreements. Of course there are different opinions and I respect other opinions. I am a professional player and only concentrate on my job in the team and my main focus is on being an important part of the team.

Iran Sports Press: Now we like to ask you a few questions about the national team. How do you see Iran’s chances of qualifying to World Cup 2006?

Mehdi Mahdavikia: Our team is in a very good position in the table after the first three games. We will qualify if we win our next two home games against North Korea and Bahrain respectively. It won’t be an easy task but we have it all in our hands and god willing we will make it.

Iran Sports Press: How would you expect Iran to do if it qualifies to the World Cup? Do you think Iran has any chance of advancing from the group stage in Germany?

Mehdi Mahdavikia: in the last World Cup that Iran qualified for (France 1998), we had a team of inexperienced players. But now the situation is different, and we have a team full of experienced players. I think this experience will be priceless. We also have an excellent mix of players in the team. I believe with the kind of players we have, and our players’ experience, we can at least aim to advance to the last 16 round in Germany.

Iran Sports Press: Which of Iran’s young and talented players do you think have the potential to play in Europe in foreseeable future?

Mehdi Mahdavikia: I really believe we have a group of very talented young players in the team. Hopefully when we reach the World Cup half of our players will get the chance to play in Europe. The same thing happened after World Cup 98 in France and many of our players moved to Europe following the exposure they got during the World Cup. I am sure next year’s World Cup will have the same effect.

Iran Sports Press: One last question. Why do you think a talented player such as Ali Karimi still doesn’t play in a European team?

Mehdi Mahdavikia: Well, every player has its own preferences but Karimi definitely is a player whose place is hundred percent in Europe.

Iran Sports Press: Thanks again for giving Iran Sports Press and our visitors the chance to have a few minutes with you. We wish you all the very best.

Mehdi Mahdavikia: Thank you.