Javad Nekounam who scored the winning goal for Team Melli against Korea Rep., his 31st goal for his country in his 129th appearance,  said that this goal was one of his best ever for Team Melli. The Captain of Team Melli who also won the Most Valuable Player of the match title was very thankful for the crowds support “With their presence , we have managed to win despite being down to ten men. I dedicate this victory to the fans and the whole of the Iranian people. They truly deserve this victory.”

The ex-Osasuna midfielder who is playing for Esteghlal Club said that the untied front of all concerned , was pivotal in this victory, ” Victories are not made by one person or player only, it is the combined efforts of all players , coaching teams , fans and the media. I am particularly thankful for the media who have created a friendly and supportive atmosphere for the match.”

Carlos Queiroz , who was quite emotional and tense after the dismissal of Shojaei and as a result he was also sent to the stands by the referee from Singapore , was a much more  relieved character after the win. In the presence of the media , Queiroz said “The player deserve a big congratulation, Each one of them performed to the required standard and showed a lot of grit and determination to win despite our handicap. However, let us not get too carried away because this was simply a win with three points , albeit an important win. We must prepare for the Uzbekistan match and must get the three points out of that match as well.”

Queiroz urged the fans to replicate the fantastic support they provided his team today by turning up in force for the next game against Uzbekistan.

Asked about the referee, Queiroz was not complimentary about the Singaporean referee and his assistamts. The Portuguese coach said “the refereeing was the low point of this exciting match. Quite a few events went unnoticed by the referee , however , if we need to win matches , we should not depend on the referee to help us but do it ourselves”

Team Melli scored a famous win in Azadi despite being down to 10 men , when they defeated the group leader Korea Republic 1-0 from a strike by Javad Nekounam in the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 Qualifying match of the Asian Zone. Azadi stadium was full to the brim with over 110,000 fans hours before the kickoff for this match. The surprise of Carlos Queiroz line up was starting with Reza Ghoochanejad , who made his debut and the benching of Ali Karimi , else the Team Melli was playing with full strength.

 The match first real threat came in the 12^th minute when Nouri missed a setter but was called offside anyway.

In the first  quarter of an hour of the lively game with a great atmosphere. On the 19′ Iran having most of the play and possession and debutant Reza Ghoochannejhad  stings the hands of the Korean Goalkeeper  JUNG Sungryong  with a shot from the edge of the box which the keeper does well to turn away for a corner.

23’ first shoot by Korean from 30 meters easily saved by Rahmati.

30′ Brave goalkeeping from Seyed Mehdi RAHMATI  denies Korea Republic the opening goal. KIM Bokyung (KOR) hits the underside of the bar with a header – and hits the rebound towards goal, but Rahmati gets his body in the way!

38′ PARK Jongwoo (KOR) is cautioned.

45+3 Corner Koreans hit the bar from strong header.

 The South Koreans were clearly the more threatening of the two teams. Rahamati saved at least two goals while the woodwork deprived the Koreans on two occasions.

With the begining of the second half , Team Melli received two quick yellow cards card shojaei (47′) and then Mehrdad  Pooladi (52′)

 55′ a reckless uncalled for foul by the visibly frustrated Shojaei results in his secondThe card was awarded for a late challenge on OH Beom Seok (KOR), which left Shojaei with little cause for complaint. Iran playing with 10 men for the next 35 mints. It was drama in Azadi as Iran, needing a win are reduced to ten men following a dismissal for Masoud SOLEIMANI SHOJAEI . The Osasuna midfielder leaves the pitch in tears.

59′ Iran go close with a spectacular overhead kick from Reza Ghoochannejhad . The ten men are showing great spirit against the Group A leaders.

 74′ Azadi explodes as Captain Javad Nekounam scores with a fine half-volley from 14 yards which left JUNG Sungryong (KOR) with absolutely no chance. The Azadi has gone wild.

81′ Iran coach Carlos Queiroz has been sent to the stands for repeated protests  as his team hang on. The home fans are tense, while the visitors are looking on

Nervous minutes pass and Iran holds up to the final whistle as Team Melli scores a very crucial win.

Freedom of press and expression, highly cherished by the western governments, will deprive Iranian fans in Europe from watching their National football team matches. Millions of Iranian expatriates living in Europe will be unable to watch Iranian TV after the European satellite provider Eutelsat SA stopped the broadcast of all Iranian satellite channels following an order by the European Commission..

The company ordered media services company, Arqiva, to take the Iranian satellite channels off one of its Hot Bird frequencies on Monday. Arqiva said that the decision was made by the EU Council.

“We terminated the contracts because it was the order of the European Commission. We have to follow it,” Karen Badalov, area management of Eutelsat SA told Press TV.

Meanwhile, Head of Public Relations of Arqiva, Gary Follows, told Press TV that as a result of reinforced EU Council sanctions and repeated requests by France’s broadcasting authority for the permanent switch-off of Sahar 1, which is broadcast in the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) multiplex, the IRIB broadcasts through Eutelsat Hot Bird have been terminated.

The Iranian channels being taken off the air include Press TV, al-Alam, Jam-e-Jam 1 and 2, which broadcasts football matches and other Iranian sport events.

The decision follows months of jamming of Iranian channels by European satellite companies.

The politically motivated move to block Iran’s TV is part of American and British lead effort to isolate Iran as a result of claims that the Islamic Republic is developing nuclear weapon. While the British Foreign Minister, commenting to the BBC Persian Service on the latest European sanctions ,  claims that all sanctions against Iran is targeted at the government , it is really difficult to believe how depriving Iranian expatriates from watching events such as televised Football match can hurt the Iranian government and influence the policies , while not harming the ordinary Iranian abroad!

While freedom of expression and the freedom of Press is vehemently practiced and promoted by the west and forms a fundamental pillar of democracy in those countries , to the extent that they pour their wrath on foreign governments who do not respect these rights , it is ironic that the same western government block the opposing Iranian views.

The end result of this political game is Millions of very disappointed Iranians expatriates in Europe. The Iranians ate well known for their great passion towards football and particularly Team Melli.