Chennaiyin FC’s defender Vafa Hakhamaneshi said all 11 teams in the Hero Indian Super League are of top quality. The tournament has grown in stature since its inception and the players are also growing in confidence.
Meanwhile, Marina Machans has not been able to qualify for the semifinal in the last two seasons and they will try to turn the tables in the forthcoming edition.
Hakhamaneshi has the experience of playing for numerous clubs in the Iranian top league, the Persian Gulf Pro League. He played for teams like Tractor FC, Sanat Naft, and Naft Tehran and made a total of 59 appearances.
The defender won the Persian Gulf Pro League in the 2013-14 season while representing Foolad FC. Furthermore, the center-back has the experience of playing 60 matches in Iran’s second-tier league for Khooneh Be Khooneh and Fajr Sepasi.
“For the first time, a club called me to come here. I searched for Chennaiyin FC on the internet, I saw good stories, good fans, and [that they are] two-time champions in the Indian Super League. I came to help the team come back to the top level,” Hakhamaneshi told Sportskeeda.com in an interview.
Meanwhile, the defender revealed that the Iranian league is difficult as there is little time between the matches. However, the upcoming season of the Hero ISL will be long and thus it will give time to the players to recover between the matches. The Iranian added that all the 11 teams have quality in the tournament.
“Only 11 teams play [in the Hero ISL] but they are top teams. In Iran, one team will come to the Super League but won’t be at a good level. Out of 16 teams, only 12 teams may be good quality,” Hakhamaneshi said.
“The Iranian league is so hard because there’s very little time between games. You won’t have time for a good recovery, to change tactics. In India, I think you have time before the next game to change your mind and tactics, to recover,” he added.
In fact, Vafa revealed he was offered a chance to play in India after FC Goa had offered him a deal but it could not go ahead as planne.
“Yes, two seasons back, FC Goa tried to connect with me but I don’t know why we didn’t finish everything. There were two Indian clubs, Goa and I forgot the other, that sent me an offer. This time, it was Chennai,” he added.
