Shadi Mahini, head coach of Iran’s U17 girls’ national football team, described Iran’s placement in Pot 1 for the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers as the result of the team’s strong technical performance. She emphasized the rising expectations and the importance of maintaining focus on the road ahead.

Mahini commented on the group draw:

“It’s true that we’ve been grouped with several Arab teams, but the playing style of a team like Lebanon is completely different from other Arab countries. Lebanon is a multinational team composed of players with French and Spanish backgrounds, many of whom have worked with European coaches. Based on our analysis, they have a solid technical structure, high-level friendly match experience, and international exposure. They should not be underestimated.”

She continued:

“For the first time, Iran’s U17 girls’ national team was placed in Pot 1, among the top-seeded teams. This reflects the positive results we achieved in the previous cycle, which earned us greater technical respect across Asia.”

Mahini stressed the importance of using the available time wisely:

“We have a good window to prepare the team with precise planning both technically and mentally. Our focus is on improving team coordination, physical fitness, and psychological readiness for match conditions.”

She also expressed hope for continued success across all age levels of Iranian women’s football:

“The U17 team has always been a proud representative of Iranian women’s football. I hope this trend continues. With the senior national team leading its qualifiers and the youth team making valuable efforts, I’m optimistic we’ll see sustained success at all levels. The path of women’s football in Iran is challenging but growing, and with continued support, the future is promising.”