Former Esteghlal FC striker Edmond Akhtar believes that the Iranian giants have a chance to enter the title race in the Asian Gulf Pro League under Pitso Mosimane.
The South African tactician has stabilised things at the Iranian giants, winning back-to-back league games, while going unbeaten in their last four games.
Esteghlal currently sit in eighth place on the log, 11 points behind leaders Tractor but Akhtar believes Mosimane and his side can still enter the title race.
“Esteghlal’s growing trend has been evident during this time and was clearly evident in last night’s game against Folad,” he told Football 360.
“This team’s conditions have changed completely compared to before the Asian Games, and that training camp with Mosimane’s team has made the team progress.
“Mosimane may not be a big name in the world, but he has shown that he is a head coach and that he both spends time with his team and has a lot of plans to work with the youth.
“We may have lost the championship on paper, but Esteghlal is always a contender, and now the team has found its true identity. Esteghlal can continue its growing trend again, and even considering the number of games left, it is not at all unlikely that Esteghlal will enter the championship race.
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“The team has clearly been worked on and has made great progress in technical, physical, and tactical matters. I am not talking about the past, and the team was sick in the past and the fans’ expectations were not met.
“What always happens in football is changes and ups and downs, but the important thing is that Esteghlal has progressed and the team is close to success.”
