🔻Hosein Abdi, head coach of Iran’s under-23 national team, said at a press conference before the match against the United Arab Emirates that due to a match being held outside the FIFA window and the absence of five players, his team will face the opponent with only 15 players and three goalkeepers.

🔹Referring to this challenge, he said: «The match calendar is such that the first meeting is not in the FIFA window. We have to accept these conditions and do our utmost to put on a good performance against a strong UAE team.»

🔹Abdi, regarding the time the players from Esteghlal and Tractor join the squad, added that, according to the latest arrangements, they will arrive at the team camp on the day of the match.

🔹The under-23 national team’s head coach also explained the absence of Reza Ghańdīpur, a player for Shabab Al-Ahli abroad: «Despite getting a ticket, his presence was ruled out and he must introduce himself during his FIFA window. Of course, the necessary preparations have been made, and with the addition of three forwards, we do not have any concerns for the upcoming matches.»