Physical trainer Mikko Kujalan the phone rings in autumn in Seinäjoki. Kujala was just vacuuming and didn’t hear the call. He had anticipated, perhaps hoped for, that phone call. The caller had returned as the head coach of the Iranian national team on September 7 Carlos Queirozwho wanted to include Kujala in the WC group.
Kujala had already been in Queiroz’s coaching group at the 2014 Brazil Games and 2018 in Russia. A strong trust had developed between the two. Kujala got the green light from his family and decided to go on the trip.
This project in Qatar became Kujala’s third and most difficult in the World Championships.
The resident of Tampere, who lives in Seinäjoki, started touring around Europe in October. He met with the players and set out to tune up their competition condition week by week towards Qatar. Kujala spent the most time in Germany’s Leverkusen as a forward By Sardar Azmoun with. The goalkeeper was fighting against time in order to get a good enough shot at the World Cup.
– We knew it would go to the chalk lines, but there were hopes all the time to get the man on the field. I take my hat off for the amount of work he did in preparation, Kujala describes from his home in Seinäjoki.
At the same time, there was pressure from the Iranian administration that Queiroz should not select Azmoun for the World Cup team at all. Azmoun had commented critically on the Iranian regime and defended women’s rights.
– We had players who had expressed their opinions. They certainly haven’t had it easy. In addition to football, Azmouni’s thoughts were also in his own country.
Before the games, did you work not only as Azmoun’s fitness coach, but also as a soul nurse?
– We drove to training together and talked about all kinds of things, including these topics. I was a listening ear for him and tried to help in every way possible. It was clear to the coaching staff that he would be selected for the team if only we could get the man in shape.
Azmoun recovered in time and logged World Cup minutes in all three of Iran’s games. At the same time, Queiroz showed that the Iranian administration does not decide on the national team’s playing.
Iran’s games started with an ugly 2-6 loss to England, but a 2-0 win over Wales with last-minute hits lifted the mood in the team.
– It was an incredible performance from the players to put together the game side and everything else in the Wales game. It was a great moment when Rouzbeh Cheshmin The long shot (the winning goal) sank.
In the last group game, the physical and fast USA faced off. Kujala knew that the match would be difficult. Some Iranian players had too few games in the club team and the load came against England and Wales. Iran’s playoff dream was shattered when Christian Pulisic scored the only goal of the game and took the USA to the next round.
– The USA game left a lot to be explored. The margins are small, we were so close. Yes, it still takes days to recover. It still hurts a lot, Kujala describes with a trembling voice.
The confrontation of world politics was not visible on the field after the game, when the USA players consoled the disappointed Iranians with open arms.
– It showed that football is a common language and a unifying force. On the field, they fought fairly and according to the rules. The USA won, and we got the stinging part. It was great to see that respect was mutual after the game.
Political tensions strongly marked Iran throughout the World Cup. Centered in front of the media, Queiroz found it difficult to contain himself as the conversation kept moving away from football. The experienced pilot did not cope with the situation completely with style points.
On the other hand, the players had to balance under the cross pressure of the Iranians watching the games. In the opening match, they received praise from critics of the country’s administration for not singing the national anthem. Still, some felt that they did not do enough to protest the violence against the protesters. The administration and its supporters, on the other hand, labeled the players as traitors.
– It’s about big things. We tried to go on football terms, but the situation was difficult for the team. I don’t want to take a stand on these things (politics) anymore, Kujala commented to .
Are you worried about the players who have returned to Iran?
– Yes, things make me think. The situation is not easy for them. People have a lot of thoughts and concerns about this. I believe that things will move forward and hopefully for the better.
About half of Iran’s World Cup team returned to Tehran. During this project, Kujala did not visit Iran, but he is familiar with the country from previous years.
– People are really kind-hearted, appreciative and warm. I have also been able to get to know the everyday life of an ordinary family there. I wish the people there well. Iranians have a place in my heart.
What do you say to those people who think that a Finn should not play in the Iranian national team in this political situation?
– This is about football. I understand people’s opinions, but I have met a lot of Iranians and I know that it is good for me to work in a unique team. That’s my message.
Kujala’s contract with the Iranian national team ended, but if Queiroz continues as Iran’s commander, the Finn wants to join new projects.
– Mieli is pulling Iran into the group. It would be great to get new experiences and wins. The group is full of great guys. The Iranian team is like a second family to me.