the-afc.com

Tehran: Jubilant Iran coach Ali Doustimehr has said that his side’s emphatic 5-1 hammering of Australia that qualified the 2012 AFC U-16 Championship hosts to next year’s FIFA U-17 World Cup was the end product of the involvement of many people from grassroots level to the very top of the country’s football administration.

Doustimehr’s young charges played the starring role in a surprisingly one-sided quarter-final clash at the PAS Stadium as Australia looked second-best in every department to the imperious Iranians.

Iran took the lead through Saeid Ezatolahi’s 30th minute penalty before Reza Karmollachaab gave the hosts a two-goal cushion four minutes later.

Mohammadreza Bazaj extended Iran’s advantage after being set up by Ali Rigi in the 63rd minute and then Rigi went from provider to scorer with a superb individual effort with ten minutes remaining.

Australia Substitute Bai Antniou scored an 88th minute consolation that appeared to give the scoreline a more flattering perspective only for Karmollachaab to score his second and Iran’s fifth in stoppage-time.

“I would like to thank the players, the coaching staff, the Federation, the media and the youth level coaches at clubs throughout the country as this victory of Iranian football,” declared Doustimehr.

“Without the help of everyone we could not do our job. Everything was wonderful today and we are happy to give the gift of World Cup qualification to the Iranian people.

“I know hope that the Iranian fans continue to follow our team and help us go on to become the top side in Asia.”

Iran’s victory sets up a semi-final showdown with Uzbekistan, who ended the 100% record of Korea Republic with a 5-3 penalty shootout victory after regulation time ended 1-1.

And Doustimehr was in the stands at the Rah Ahan Stadium to watch the Uzbek’s surprise victory as he plots how to win the AFC U-16 Championship for the second time after masterminding Iran’s first title at this level in 2008.

“Before this game I watched the quarter-final between Uzbekistan and Korea and I know that the Uzbeks are a very good team and that it will be a tough semi-final,” he continued.

“But we will prepare well and we will do what it takes to win this championship in our own country. Today we played very well but we must not get too proud of ourselves and we must prepare well for the game against Uzbekistan.

“We have spoken many times with the players about this game and we said that there might be the possibility of some reward or some money from the Federation if we win. But like all Iranians the players are passionate about their country and they said they are not playing for money but for Iran.”

Vanquished Australian coach Alistair Edwards tempered his disappointment with the fact that on the day the Iranians were simply too strong.

“Congratulations to Iran for qualifying to the World Cup and on their much deserved victory,” said the former Australia international.

“Of course we had hoped we would qualify and we didn’t expect such a result but Iran played a high-pressure game and didn’t allow us to get into our rhythm. We made too many mistakes at times but again this was mainly down to Iran’s pressure.”

Edwards was asked at the post-match press conference if he regretted not fielding a stronger side in the last group stage match against Iraq which, had they won, would have given them a relatively easier quarter-final.

“All games in the tournament have been difficult and on another day we could have won the penalty shootout against Iraq.

“But it would have been tough playing Kuwait as well. At the end of the day Iran played much better than us and deserved their victory.

“I am happy for Iran but also proud of my players. Apart from the match today I think we had a good tournament.”

Tehran: AFC U-16 Championship hosts Iran outlined their championship credentials with an impressive 5-1 quarter-final win over Australia on Sunday that booked their place in the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Iran totally dominated proceedings and after being frustrated on numerous occasions by Australia keeper Andre Jannese the hosts took the lead through Saeid Ezatolahi’s 30th minute penalty before a fortuitous Reza Karmollachaab effort four minutes later gave the hosts a two-goal cushion to take into the interval.

Mohammadreza Bazaj extended Iran’s advantage after being set up by Ali Rigi in the 63rd minute and then Rigi went from provider to scorer with a superb individual effort with ten minutes at the PAS Stadium left to play.

Substitute Bai Antniou scored an 88th minute consolation that appeared to give the scoreline a more flattering perspective only for Karmollachaab to score his second and Iran’s fifth in stoppage-time.

Iran’s victory sets up a semi-final showdown with Uzbekistan, who ended the 100% record of Korea Republic with a 5-3 penalty shootout victory after regulation time ended 1-1.

Australia coach Alistair Edwards, who made eight changes to the starting 11 which began the Joeys’ last group stage match that ended in a penalty shootout defeat to Iraq, had predicted Sunday’s quarter-final clash would be a contrast in styles, with his possession-based strategy going up against the direct approach of the tournament hosts.

But it was a moment of individuality that almost gave Iran the lead with a blistering long-range free-kick from Seyed Majid Hosseini flying just over Andre Jannese’s crossbar in the third minute before Amirmohammad Mazloum should have made more of Reza Karmollachaab’s pinpoint pass four minutes later.

At the ten minute mark Jannese came to the Joeys’ rescue with a timely double save from Karmollachaab, first with his left leg and then with the right as the Iran forward tried hook in the rebound, before the Australian Institute of Sport stopper did well to keep out Mohammadreza Bazaj’s diving header three minutes later.

Iran’s direct approach was dictating the game with the Aussies seeing little in the way of possession in the opening period of the first-half with the action centred mainly in and around Jannese’s area.

The young keeper was having an inspired game, as showed in the 22nd minute with a superb one-handed save from Mazloum’s powerful low shot but Jannese was finally beaten on the half-hour mark when Saeid Ezatolahi sent him the wrong way from the penalty spot after Aaron Calver had fouled Mazloum in the area.

Mazloum played a key role when Iran doubled their lead four minutes later with the skilful forward’s trickery taking him to the byline before his cross was knocked home by Karmollachaab from close range.

The pattern of Iran dominance continued in the second-half and in the 63rd minute Mohammadreza Bazaj made it 3-0 with his last touch of the ball before being replaced by Sadegh Moharrami a minute later.

Ali Rigi, who set up Iran’s third, almost scored number four in the 65th minute but his shot deflected off an Aussie defender and then the crossbar before the danger was cleared.

Soon after Aussie coach Edwards made a double substitution as Alex Gersbach and Taylor Tombides made way for Jordan Pudler and Bai Antniou.

After a brief period of Australian ascendency the Iranians retook control of the game and the Joey’s needed skipper James Baldacchino to clear off the line to stop the going further behind in the 76th minute.

But they couldn’t stem the Iranian tide for long as Rigi waltzed through the tiring Aussie defence and finished with aplomb three minutes later and although the Joey’s grabbed an 88th minute consolation through substitute Antniou scoring with two minutes left to play it was Iran that would have the final say with Karmollachaab grabbing his second and the hosts’ fifth in the last significant action of a surprisingly one-sided quarter-final.

IRAN   5 -1   AUSTRALIA

AFC U-16 Championship – Quarter Finals

Dastgerdi Stadium , Tehran

In a dazzling display of football , Iran’s U016 National Football team routed the powerful Australian team 5-1 in the quarter finals of the AFC U-16 Championship held in Dastgerdi Stadium on Sunday.

Iran lead 2-0 in the first half , from goals scored by Saeed Ezzatollahei from the penalty spot on the 31st minute , as result of a foul on Mazloom. then Keama chaab doubled the scored in the 35th minute.

The two thousands fans in the Dastegrdi stadium , including a few dignitaries and Esteghlal club players , were in for an entertaining second half where the young Iranians displayed some dazzling football. Iran started with a swift attacking run and it was the brilliance of the Aussie goalkeeper which kept the Iranians out,

The continuous barrage of attacks by Iran was eventually rewarded in the 64th minute when Mohammad Reza Bajaj made it 3-0 for the hosts, Iran kept the same rhythm and Ali Rigi scored one of the best goals of the tournament with exceptional individual skills as he slalomed through the Australian defense to score Iran;s 4th just 10 minutes before the end.

Australia managed to score a consolation goal to make it 4-1 right before the end of the regulation time , but it seems that the Iranians were not finished as KarmalaChaab scored his second and the team’s fifth in the dying seconds of the match on the 94th minute.

It was an emphatic win for Ali Doustimehr boys and the strongest display if football so far by Iran’s U-16 in this tournament. Iran remain the favorite to lift the trophy after the success of 2008 under the guidance of the same coach.

 

Ali Doustimeher announced the 11 starters for Iran U-16 Quarter Final match clash against Australia which is to be held on Sunday, 30th September 2012.

After comfortably leading the group with 9 points from 3 wins , the Iranian coach of U-16 team , made three changes from the usual line up. The list of the players are as follows;

Daniel Kazim-Nia (GK(: Amir Nasrazadany, Seyed Majid Hossaini (captain),  Milad Dai, Sassan Jafarynezhad, MohammadReza Bazaj, Saeed Ezatollah, Erfan Vejdani ,  Ali Rigi, Amir Mohammad Mazloom, Mohamad Reza Karmla Chaab

This match takes added importance as the winner of the quarter finals match will automatically qualify to the FIFA U-17 World Cup which will be held in the UAE next year.

Absent from this line up are Kumail haghzadeh , Ali Shojaee and Ali Hazzami who were replaced by Sassan Jafarynezhad, Amir Mohammad Mazloom and Milad Dai.

Edwards expects contrast of styles

The AFC.com- Tehran:

Sunday’s mouth-watering quarter-final clash between AFC U-16 Championship hosts Iran and Australia will witness an intriguing contrast of playing styles according to Joeys’ coach Alistair Edwards.

While there are clear question marks over a defence that has surrendered the opening goal in all three of their Group A matches, Iran’s attack has been in imperious form, with the tournament hosts defeating Laos (3-1), Yemen (4-1) and Kuwait (2-1) to record the highest number of goals in the group phase.

Australia, meanwhile, missed out on top spot in Group B following a penalty shootout defeat to Iraq after playing out a goalless draw that saw both sides emerge with identical records. Prior to that, the Joeys had recorded over Thailand (2-0) and Oman (2-1).

“What you will see tomorrow is two very contrasting styles,” Edwards predicted at the pre-match press conference.

“Iran play very direct and try to get the ball forward as quickly as possible whereas we like to keep the ball and a possession-based style of football. We have to contain Iran and stop them getting forward quickly and make sure they don’t have too much possession.

“I am very much looking forward to the game. We have played three good games and we have really enjoyed the experience. We are looking forward to playing Iran.”

Edwards’ young charges have been in impressive form during their time in Tehran but the question remains is how will they deal with the pressure of playing the tournament hosts with a place in the 2013 FIFA World Cup at stake.

But former Australia international Edwards insists that it is the Iranians that are carrying the heavier burden of expectation.

“Every game in this tournament is difficult but I think there are higher expectations on Iran from the fans and the media,” he said.

“And high expectations have a way of having strange effects on players, particularly younger players.

“We have prepared well and played very well throughout the tournament. We are undefeated and have only conceded penalty goals.

“Iran is the biggest and strongest team in the tournament. They play direct football and I am very much looking forward to the game.”

Iran coach Ali Doustimehr, meanwhile, has vowed his team will fight to the very end of Sunday’s quarter-final clash and present qualification to next year’s FIFA U-17 World Cup, which will be held in the UAE, as a gift for the Iranian people.

“It will be a tough game but we will be doing our very best as tournament hosts as we want to qualify for the World Cup and give a nice gift for the Iranian people,” he said.

“The players will give everything. They will double their efforts as they try give the people this gift.”

But Doustimehr, who lead Iran at the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Nigeria after guiding the Iranians to glory at the AFC U-16 Championship in Tashkent the previous year, knows Sunday’s showdown will not be easy against a team he rates as one of the continent’s best.

“Australia is a very big and strong team…one of the biggest in Asia,” he said.

“They play a very physical game and are very professional and have performed well in all three games so far.

“We have had three days to rest and to prepare the players. They are ready to attack for the full 90 minutes so we have no concerns with the physical condition of the team.

“We have played against three very good teams in the group stage and I think a lot of people underestimated their quality. Yes, we conceded the first goal in all these matches but the players never gave up in the 90 minutes and we won these matches.

“They are young and will make mistakes but we have been working hard with them on this over the three days and I am sure you will not see this in tomorrow’s match.”

Iran’s AFC U-16 Championship quarter-final clash with Australia kicks-off at 1700 Tehran time at the PAS Stadium on Sunday.

“There is no coach in the world who as meticulous in executing his plans as Carlos Queiroz , however , even a coach like him should understand that he needs to be more conscious of some issues.”

That is how Heshmat Mohajerani , the legendary ex-Team Melli coach started his interview with Khabar Online. “Before anyone else in Iran, I have worked directly and for a period of one year with Carlos Queiroz in the UAE while both working for the National Team of that country. No one can deny the ability of this coach, however, he still needs to be more wary and vigilant in some of his decision making. In many places, when you ask about who is the best football coach in planning and development , Queiroz name will be on the top of the list. Unfortunately, it seems that even while employing a coach in the standard and stature of Queiroz , we have failed to achieve satisfactory results. We need to question ourselves why this is happening and we have to start by looking at the way we deal with him. And also think about our own expectation from the team. Our Team Melli is not playing well; it is all to do with the type of football we play from grassroots levels onwards and our expectations from the coach.”

“It is really not the right time to go through such changes now.”

Heshamat Mohajerni who was the first coach to lead Iran to the World Cup in 1978 in Argentina, was asked about his opinion about demands circulating amongst many experts who feel that it is about time that changes in Team Melli should be implemented by introducing new suitable players instead of the same old repetitive names that have not delivered, while the more senior players such as Ali Karimi should be either sidelined or play a peripheral role. Mohajerani said “ It is really not the right time to go through such changes now. If we lose to South Korea, it is as good as saying goodbye to the World Cup. We must not allow this to happen. We should all protect and support Team Melli at such crucial stage. I quite agree with Queiroz that this is not the right time for making changes. We have lost 3 precious years in making those changes and the changes we are talking about should have been done during the era of previous coaches. The fact that a player is good in the league does not necessary mean he is a good player at international level. If I was in Queiroz’s place I would not let go of Ali Karimi and would take him for special training while whipping his body until it is in shape for the match against South Korea where he will be an asset.”

“I urge Queiroz to invite the young and promising players of the league to Team Melli camp.”

Mohajerani then commented on the disciplinary issue with Ali Karimi and said he followed the news that there was friction between the Perspolis Captain and his Portuguese club coach Manuel Jose. He believes that these news are venomous to Iran’s football. “Some say that every time that Karimi returns from duty with Team Melli , his behavior with Manuel Jose changes to the worst to the extent that he insults the coach. We must not take such rumors seriously and if there are talks that Queiroz is bad mouthing his compatriot and Perspolis coach ,  Manuel Jose , then this is certainly not a good omen. We should not spread such news at all. On the other hand, I urge Queiroz to invite the young and promising players of the league to Team Melli camp.  When these new players train with the regular squad and show their worth, the senior players , like Karimi , will be anxious for the final list of 18 players because they feel that there are options and alternatives to the coach in form of these new players. The senior player should always feel the competition on their back to remain on their toes.” Mohajerani commented.

“When a National Team coach does not follow the league and does not invite newer players and when such coach opts to use some players in different positions than their usual , such things will naturally raise criticism and concern.”

  About inviting Iranian expatriate players, Mohajerani said “ When Team Melli invite a player in the class of Ashkan Dejagah , it is a very delightful event because he will be an asset to the team, but about the other selections such as Omid Nazari , we need to ask ourselves, does he have anything better than the Iran League players ? If he has exceptional or better skill , then he should be invited. I have heard that Steven Beitashour , (an American professional soccer player who currently plays for the San Jose Earthquakes in Major League Soccer) is being considered. Such player will definitely be useful for Team Melli.  Even that young man Ghoochanejad I have not actually seen him play but his uncle Jalil Ghoochanejad was one of my players in Abo Moslem while his brother was a member of the Iran national Volleyball team. They come from a sporting family and most have excelled in their fields. But , I still maintain that I have not seen him play to form a concrete opinion”

 

 “Our football and our team Melli needs a positive shock treatment.“

About the chance of Team Melli qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2014 in Brazil , Mohajerani said “Our football and our team Melli needs a positive shock treatment. We need a sweet victory and we should all support our team. If there was any changes to happen it would have happened by now. There has been enough criticism of Team Melli . Carlos Queiroz was our best foreign option. Our current problem is a crisis of confidence as we seem to lack the winning spirit in the team. We need everyone to support the team against Korea, else it is another good bye to the world cup.”