In one of its worst drops in recent years, Iran dropped 10 positions to 67th position in the latest FIFA ranking accumulating 506 points. This is the worst result of Iran for 17 years  since Team Melli dropped to number ranked 83 in 199.

The drop is attributed to the inactivity of Team Melli as is sat idol while other teams were either involved in official competition matches or arranged friendlies to enhance their standing. Team Melli had a bye in the last round of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, while playing its first FIFA World Cup qualifier of 2013 last Tuesday in Qatar.

3 valuable points from Qatar will enhance the points tally for Team Melli in the next ranking while a similar 3 points against Lebanon will even make it better.

#	Player Name
11	HAJSAFY, Ehsan 25-Feb-90 21 years Sepahan Defender
20	NOSRATI, Mohammad 10-Jan-81 30 Years Tractorsazi Defender
5	AGHILI, Hadi 15-Jan-81 30 Years Sepahan Defender
4	HOSSEINI, Jalal 03-Feb-82 29 Years Perspolis Defender
6	NEKOUNAM, Javad 06-Sep-80 31 Years Osasuna Midfield
1	RAHMATI, Mehdi 02-Feb-83 28 Years Esteghlal Goalkeeper
14	TEYMOURIAN, Andranik 06-Mar-83 28 Years Esteghlal Midfield
19	GHOLAMI, Mohammad 13- Feb-83 28 Years Steel Azin Foreward
7	REZAEI, Gholamreza 6-Mar-84 27 Years Perspolis Midfield
10	ANSARIFARD, Karim 03-Apr-90 21 Years Saipa Foreward
2	HEYDARI, Khosrow 14-Sep-83 28 Years Sepahan Defender
9	KHALATBARY, Mohamad Reza 14-Sep-83 28 Years Zob Ahan Forward
18	NOURI, Pejman 3-Jul-80 31 Years Malavan Midfield
8	SHOJAEI, Masoud 09-Jun-84 27 Years Osasuna Midfield
23	MOBALI, Iman 03-Nov-82 29 Years Esteghlal Midfield
17	NOURI, Mohammad 09-Jan-83 28 years Perspolis Midfield
21	AFSHIN, Arash 21-Jan-89 21 years Foolad Khuzestan Foreward
13	BENGAR, Mohsen 06-Sep-79 32 years Sepahan Defender
22	GORDAN, Shehab 22-May-84 27 years Zob Ahan Goalkeeper
15	HADDADIFAR, Ghassim 12-Jul-83 28 years Zob Ahan Midfield
3	TALEBI, Farshid 24-Aug-81 30 years Zob Ahan Defender
16	NOUROZI, Reza 21-Sep-82 29 years Foolad Khuzestan Foreward

The atmosphere in Iran football was more than positive in the aftermath of the Team Melli victory away to Qatar. Joy and celebrations was aplenty in Iran’s football circles after the crucial victory , despite the fact that Queiroz said that there is still  a lot of football and work to be done. “ we will hold on to the celebrations until the end of the match against Korea Republic.” The jubilant Portuguese announced to the media.

The media in Iran was full of praise for the performance and result that was achieved by Team Melli beating Qatar 1-0 in Doha. The majority of the reports talked about the methodology and the tactics employed by Queiroz used that lead to what was comfortable win in the end. Iran deserved a better goal margin victory , according to the press but the majority seem to be content with that solitary goal.

Heshmat Mohajerani, the legendary Team Melli coach who was the first coach to lead Iran to the World Cup 1978 in Argentina, said “ this match was the best I have seen of Team Melli since Carlos Queiroz took over at the helm of the team.”

Mahmoud Yavari, another ex-Team Melli coach and player believed that Queiroz preparation of the team , mentally and physically was a winner. The veteran coach praised the media in Iran which supported Team Melli till the day of the match. “There was lots of room for criticism especially after that embarrassing losses in a friendly against Oman, but to their credit , the press had been marvelous backing the team and the coach.”

Afshin Peyrovani , ex-Team Melli player and Captain said that Queiroz decision to employ the skeleton of the Esteghlal defense was a ingenious decision. The Champions Esteghlal , had the best defense in their way to win the title and using 3 out of 4 of their players proved to be a wise move.

Karim Bagheri and Khodadad Azizi , the scorers of the goals in Melbourne which took Iran to 1998 World Cup finals, were special guest of the federation for the match in Doha. Azizi express his delight with the victory and believes that “beating Lebanon next Tuesday should not be a big deal, but unless Queiroz patches up the team with more sharp and stronger players, we will have a tough time against the powerful Koreans.”

Reza GhoochanNejad the scorer of Iran’s solitary goal believes the team played quite well “I am happy that I managed to convert the supremacy of the team and the good work of the players into a deserved goal for us”

Amongst the many cheerful voices, there was some that advised caution against Lebanon. In the midst of that sweet victory in Doha, the team can easily lose focus and be surprised by a Lebanon that has no aspiration but also nothing to lose either.