Payam Niazmand:
Friendly or Official, Every Game Matters / Ready to Help the National Team Anytime
Iran national team goalkeeper Payam Niazmand says he is fully prepared for the upcoming matches against Qatar and North Korea, and emphasized that every game is equally important, regardless of its status.
“For us in the national team, there’s no difference between friendly, ceremonial, or official matches. We always step onto the pitch with full focus and strength to win,” Niazmand told the official website of the Football Federation.
He highlighted the importance of the upcoming fixtures in terms of World Cup seeding, noting: “These games are crucial for determining our place in the World Cup draw. We aim to top our group to secure a better seeding in the next round.”
On the competitiveness of international football, Niazmand added:
“There are no easy games in modern football. Teams are more evenly matched now. In the previous round, we saw how sides like Kyrgyzstan and North Korea posed serious challenges. Even giants like South Korea, Australia, and Saudi Arabia faced tough games in their groups. That’s why we must give our all.”
Regarding his own readiness, he said:
“I’m in great shape physically, mentally, and technically. I’ve been training hard with the goalkeeping coach and feel at peak performance. Whenever the coaching staff decides, I’m fully prepared to contribute to the team.”
He also touched on the preparation needed for the World Cup:
“To perform well at the World Cup, we have to be ready to face the best teams in the world. They invest millions to ensure top-level readiness. We also need full support—mentally, physically, and tactically—to represent Iran with pride.”
In conclusion, Niazmand said:
“Even though the foreign-based players haven’t joined the camp yet, the domestic players have trained well. Hopefully, with the full squad, we’ll be even more synchronized and ready for strong performances against Qatar and North Korea.”
