Tehran- IRAF, Morteza’i spoke in a new interview with ISNA, published today (Sunday, February 22), referring to the overall quality of the 2026 Asian Cup. He noted that the technical level of the teams had not changed significantly compared to the previous edition, but Japan, with structural changes and a new coaching staff, had made considerable progress.
He emphasized that Iran remains the top team in Asia and achieved the result that was predictable from the start.
Afghanistan’s Goal: Semifinals, but the Path Was Harder Than Expected
The Afghanistan coach candidly stated that he was not fully satisfied with his team’s performance, as their initial plan was based on reaching the semifinals.
He said: “We knew the group stage would be very tough. Saudi Arabia had made many changes, so we spent a month preparing specifically for that match. Malaysia had also achieved impressive results in the weeks leading up to the tournament, showing that their defensive style had evolved.”
Despite these difficulties, Afghanistan did not concede a goal in their first two matches, which significantly raised expectations among the media and fans.
Psychological Pressure: A Factor That Took the Team Off Track
Morteza’i attributed much of the team’s decline to psychological pressure: “When we didn’t concede in the first two games, expectations skyrocketed. This mental pressure affected the players and became evident as the tournament progressed.”
According to him, this pressure peaked in more critical games, especially against Japan, causing the team to deviate from its tactical plan.
6-0 Defeat Against Japan: An Unexpected Result
Morteza’i described the heavy defeat against Japan as disproportionate to the flow of the game: “We hadn’t experienced such a loss in our last 150 matches. We created many opportunities, but none resulted in a goal. Japan capitalized on every chance, and the psychological pressure led to three goals in a three-minute span. That’s when the game slipped away.”
He believes that had Afghanistan faced teams like Vietnam, Iraq, or Thailand in the knockout stage, their chances of reaching the semifinals would have been much higher.
Analysis of the Game Against Iran: Experience and Match Management Were Key
Regarding the 5-2 loss to Iran, Morteza’i noted that the high experience of Iranian players, particularly stars like Hossein Tayebi, played a decisive role.
He explained that three Afghan players were on the verge of suspension, forcing the coaching staff to be cautious in using them to avoid a shortage of players in later matches.
Unprecedented Support from Afghan Fans in Indonesia: A Double-Edged Sword
One notable aspect of this tournament was the large presence of Afghan fans in Indonesia.
Morteza’i said: “I did not expect such support. Around three to four thousand spectators were in the arena. The support was incredible, but for our players, who had never experienced such an atmosphere, it created additional pressure.”
He explained that fans’ constant presence at the hotel and around the team, though well-intentioned, affected the players’ focus and made the competition environment more challenging for the team.
End of Contract and Uncertain Future: No Decision Yet
Morteza’i announced that his contract with the Afghan national team ended with the conclusion of the Asian Cup, and no negotiations have taken place for continued cooperation.
He added: “Working with Afghanistan is uniquely challenging; external pressures, high expectations, and non-technical issues make it difficult. For now, I am resting and have made no decisions about the future.”
However, he emphasized that the team’s overall performance in recent years has been positive and that Afghanistan is now among the top four teams in Asia.
Afghanistan: A Team with Great Potential and a Predictable Future
In conclusion, Morteza’i said that despite being eliminated from the tournament, Afghanistan has made remarkable progress in recent years and has shown it can compete at a high level in Asia.
He believes that if the team’s development continues, Afghanistan could reach even higher stages in future competitions.
