Hosseinnejad shrugs off lack of starting role for Dynamo Makhachkala
Iranian midfielder Mohammadjavad Hosseinnejad has stressed that helping his team is his priority, regardless of whether he starts or comes off the bench for Russian Premier League side Dynamo Makhachkala.
Introduced as a halftime substitute, the Iran U23 international was on target in the 72nd minute as Dynamo played out a 1-1 home draw against Akron Tolyatti in the Russian top flight on Saturday.
Speaking after the game, the young Iranian admitted that the result was disappointing but said he was pleased to get on the scoresheet.
“Obviously, I’m more disappointed with the final result. We needed a win and knew that before the match. We also knew it would be a difficult game and that we would have to give everything to get the result,” said Hosseinnejad, whose team sit seventh in the league table with 13 points from 11 matches.
“Unfortunately, instead of three points, we took only one, which is disappointing. Still, I think one point isn’t such a bad result. Overall, I’m happy to have scored,” the Iranian added.
Hosseinnejad also explained how he won possession from an opposing defender to create the scoring opportunity, admitting that luck played a part.
“I was a little lucky, too. I didn’t think much at that moment; I knew I had to chase the ball. I believed I could win it back from the opponent, and eventually I managed to do that,” he said.
The Iranian midfielder also declared himself physically ready to play the full 90 minutes, leaving the decision over his role to the coaching staff.
“Yes, absolutely, I’m ready. Of course, it depends on the coach’s decision and the tactics he chooses for each match,” Hosseinnejad said.
“I’m ready to help my team, and it makes no difference to me whether I start or come on as a substitute. I’m here to help the team.”
Having joined Dynamo from Iranian club Sepahan in August 2024, Hosseinnejad has scored eight goals and provided eight assists in 74 appearances across all competitions for the Russian club.
He has made seven appearances this season, five of them as a substitute.