Coaches and Players Reflect on Foolad Sirjan Vs Indonesia

The head coach of Foolad Sirjan Iranian volleyball team stated that there is no longer any pressure on them, and they expect a tough and challenging match against Shahdab. He hopes it will be a good game and that the fans will enjoy it.

According to the Communications Department of the Volleyball Federation, Foolad Sirjan Iranian and Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi (Indonesia) faced off at 8 PM today (Friday, September 13), with Foolad Sirjan winning the match 3-2. This victory made them the second Iranian team to advance to the final and secure a spot in the World Club Championship.

After the match, the coaches and players of both teams shared their thoughts:

Behrouz Ataei, Head Coach of Foolad Sirjan Iranian:

“I congratulate the people of Iran for having two Iranian teams qualify for the Asian Championship. The semifinal match is always very intense and challenging, and we anticipated this. Unfortunately, we did not perform well today. On a day when we did not perform well, we managed to win the game. I am happy that our team can change the course of the game even when we are not at our best. I am happy that we won the game, and the final will definitely be a different match. There is no more pressure on us, and we expect a tough and challenging match against Shahdab. I hope it will be a good game and that the fans will enjoy it. Shahdab made significant changes compared to their previous game against us. They changed their setter, libero, and overall structure.

We are thinking about the current Shahdab team and will make decisions based on that. We will plan accordingly. We have a tough and intense match in the final, and I hope the fans will enjoy it. We anticipated that in the final, the spectators would support their own team, but I did not expect the fans to cheer for the foreign team today. I would have preferred the game to be held outside of Iran because all conditions are favorable for the host team. We were treated like a non-Iranian team in the organization, even starting our training here two days before the match, just like the foreign teams. We expected full support against all teams except Shahdab, but not only did they not support us, they did not even come to watch our games until today. This might be a dark spot for the fans in this area. We had four matches with our own spectators in an empty court. We expected support for the Iranian team in our matches against other teams. Today was about securing a spot and honor for Iranian volleyball, while everyone cheered for the Indonesian team, Jean Patry, and Ngapeth. This is certainly not the characteristic of Yazdi people. We know Yazdi people to be warm-hearted, hospitable, and dear to us. Ali Hajipour underwent special care after surgery and had a very successful operation. Immediately after the surgery and recovery period, he joined us and underwent intense and specific rehabilitation training. Amirhossein Esfandiar joined us from day one and had good training sessions. His determination was to get ready, and without a player’s determination to improve, they cannot progress.”

Seyed Mohammad Mousavi, Captain of Foolad Sirjan Iranian:

“Contrary to expectations, the game went well, and we managed to take control and win. However, the mindset we often have, sometimes underestimating the opponent, caused us to fall behind by two sets. Thankfully, with the experience of our players and coaching staff, we managed to regain control and win the match. Indonesia is a good and experienced team with two world-class players who help them in crucial moments. I was surprised by the quality of the Indonesian players; they have made significant progress. I am grateful that we won this game. From the beginning, we predicted that the final would be all-Iranian and that we would play against Shahdab. Shahdab is a good and respectable team. Our team entered this competition to win and become champions. Before the match against Indonesia, I told the players that nothing but the championship would suffice for us. In my opinion, finishing second in this competition is no different from finishing last and not winning a medal. Our effort is to become champions. Of course, sports involve winning and losing. In the final, we face a respectable team playing at home with the support of their fans, but we will fight until the last moment and, God willing, we will win this game. When the host team plays in the court, it is natural for the atmosphere to favor the host team, but it was unfair. I have no problem with cheering for the opposing team, but disrespecting Iranian players in international competitions was not right. Often, there are a few spectators who create issues, but overall, Yazdi people are warm-hearted and good. We should not compare a few spectators with all the people of Yazd. The people of Yazd have always been kind to us, but I wish they had only cheered. There were some insults and disrespect, but let’s move past that!

When I think I can help the national team, I will be present. Even two years ago, when I joined the national team, I told Mr. Karkhaneh and Ataei that I don’t think my presence would solve any problems for the national team. Perhaps I had the best performance in recent years in the national team during the Nations League and Olympic qualifiers, and we even won gold in the Asian Games, but my presence does not solve any problems for the national team. I have always said that when I feel my presence can help the national team, I will definitely be there. I am still physically ready, although not now because we have been away from competition for three or four months, and currently, I am at 70% readiness. I am trying to use these competitions as preparatory matches to be more ready for the league. If I feel ready and my mental, psychological, and physical conditions allow, I will be present in the national team, provided there is a request. I don’t think my presence in the national team is necessary. There are many young players who need to gain experience. Many say that Mohammad Mousavi, Saeid Marouf, and Amir Ghafour should play, but even if we are ready, we should give young players the opportunity to take responsibility for the game.”

Alfonso Gonzales, Head Coach of Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi (Indonesia):

“Today was a very good game. We played very poorly in the first set and lost, but after that, with some changes, we managed to get back into the game. This is sports. We managed to put good pressure on the opposing team, but ultimately, we lost the game. Volleyball in Indonesia has progressed a lot, and we are looking to improve by bringing in international players. Of course, we remember that Ngapeth just finished the Olympics and is tired. He and Patry helped us a lot in this game, and we are grateful to them.”

Jean Patry, opposite spiker for Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi (Indonesia):

“I am very disappointed because we could have won today’s match, but unfortunately, we lost. We put good pressure on the opposing team. I am proud of my teammates and really enjoyed the game. I think I was blocked a bit in the attacks, but that’s volleyball; they knew the ball was coming to me, so they blocked me. Regarding the possibility of joining an Iranian team, it depends on the offer and the goal, but generally, I am eager to play for Iranian teams. The final match will definitely be a big fight. Both Iranian teams are good, and the atmosphere in the court is crazy. I can’t say which one will be the champion. I felt the support of Shahdab’s fans for me in the court; I don’t know why, but maybe I do. It was a good feeling, and as a player, playing in this atmosphere is delightful.”