Author: Majeed

Carlos Queiroz “We can’t continue like this!”

Tehran

It is public knowledge that behind the scene events, differences, clash of interests and lack of resources are undermining Team Melli. After several recent statements by the federation officials bemoaning the lack of financial support and asking for help , it is the turn of Team Melli coach to air his views about the current situation of Team Melli, reflecting much of what Kaffashain and other have been saying in this respect.

Queiroz was speaking after a meeting with Kaffashian and Mehdi Taj where all matters concerning Team Melli program particularly the critical preparation, or lack of it, that has marred Team Melli program, has been discussed.

“We need support and protection on two fronts. One, the financial support which is absolutely vital for Team Melli and the other one is the technical and programming issues. In both cases, decisions must be made in order for the team to represent Iran well in the World Cup.”

“We must have the ability to carry on with our scheduled preparation as per plan. Unfortunately, the AFC scheduling of matches is detrimental to our own program and clashes with our preparation. The AFC program conflicts with the League, so we need to come up with some tough decision in this respect.”

  In a statement that sounded enigmatic, Team Melli coach said “At present we have two choices, either to fully support the team or, we have no belief that the Team Melli program should be fully supported”

Carlos Querioz has maintained that he wants the league and cup program to revolve around the team Melli training program, an idea which is strongly rejected by almost everyone concerned in Iran’s football and particularly the club coaches. Most of the Iranian club coaches bemoaned the long stoppages of the league because of the Team Melli commitments. Such stoppages is  undermining their teams and the continuity of the domestic league, according to the clubs.

On the same line, Queiroz said that the decision should be simple. “They have to say whether they want to support Team Melli or Not. I believe that it is the right of the country and the people to demand the full support. Those who decide against the team should be overlooked (..) With the current AFC Champions’ league, we cannot satisfy all parties.  It is no good giving us financial support but fail to realize the technical and programming support. I have given my plans to the football league, if anyone has a better program, then let them come forward so we can discuss it.”

Queiroz then appealed to the country’s rulers “I am asking the leaders of the country to fully support Team Melli.”  Ironically , this appeal for support comes on the eve when Perspolis has forked out half a million US dollars to get Mohammad Reza Khalatbary from the UAE Club , Ajman!

Finally , Querioz declared that with the present situation , we cannot continue our progress.

 Carlos Queiroz statement is yet another alarming sign that the progress of Team Melli is far from ideal. The lack of finances, which is purely the responsibility of the football federation, despite what Kaffashian would leave the public to believe, is quiet a serious setback for the team. However, the   disagreement between Queiroz and the rest about the league program which he is insisting on following it , despite the clubs commitment in other competitions , is brewing to another flash point. It seems that  the right balance has not been found yet.

Meanwhile , the fans of Team Melli have to endure difficult moments and hope that all these critical issues are ironed out for the honorable representation of Iran in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

The Draw for the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

The focus of the 24 participating nations for the FIFA U-17 World Cup UAE 2013 will be fixed on Abu Dhabi on Monday 26 August for the official draw. The event will take place at 19:00 local time (18:00 GMT) at the Hotel Fairmont Bab Al Bahr in the UAE capital, with the participants divided into six groups of four.

Iran’s U-17 will be one of the 5 Asian representatives in the upcoming U-17 World Cup in addition to the host UAE, Iraq, Japan and Uzbekistan.

The tournament will start on 17th October 2013 with the fimal; match to be played on the 8th November. The cities of Dubai, Abu Dhabi , Sharjah , Ras Al Khaima , Fujeira and Al Ain will be hosting the matches.

For Iran’s U-17 team , this will be the third appearance in the FIFA tournament. In 2001 , Iran qualified for the competition held in Trinidad & Tobago , then 8 long years later the U-17 qualified for the 2009 edition when the competition was held in Nigeria.

The Draw:

Iran U-17 was drawn in a realtively good group with Argentine being the most  likely qualifier to the next round while the 3 other teams will fight it out for a spot in th enext round.

 

Group E (Dubai, Al Ain): Canada, Austria, Iran, Argentina

 

 

Iran U-17 FIFA World Cup 2009

 

Group C
Match Date Venue Results
5 25 Oct Calabar Iran 2:0 (1:0) Gambia
6 25 Oct Calabar Colombia 2:1 (0:0) Netherlands
17 28 Oct Calabar Netherlands 2:1 (1:1) Gambia
18 28 Oct Calabar Iran 0:0 Colombia
29 31 Oct Calabar Gambia 2:2 (2:0) Colombia
30 31 Oct Enugu Netherlands 0:1 (0:1) Iran
Team Played Won Draw Lost Goals For Goals Against Points
Iran 3 2 1 0 3 0 7
Colombia 3 1 2 0 4 3 5
Netherlands 3 1 0 2 3 4 3
Gambia 3 0 1 2 3 6 1

 

Round of 16

42 05 Nov          Calabar

Iran

1:2 a.e.t. 

Uruguay 

 

 

IRAN vs. GAMBIA  2-0

25-Oct-2009
UJ Esuene Stadium ,Calabar
Referee: Pablo POZO (CHI)

Goals: Payam SADEGHIAN (44′) , Kaveh REZAEI (84′

Iman SADEGHI (GK): Omid ALISHAH (59′ Ali HEYDARI ), Bahman MALEKI (79′ Hossein GOUHARI ), Iman SHIRAZI, Ali GOUDARZI,

      Mehrgan GOLBARG, Kaveh REZAEI, Afshin ESMAEIL (67′ Akbar IMANI), Payam SADEGHIAN (C), Mehrdad YEGANEH, Saeid LOTFI

Coach: Ali DOUSTIMEHR (IRN)

[divider]

 

IRAN vs. COLOMBIA 0-0

28-Oct-2009
UJ Esuene Stadium ,Calabar
Referee: Michael HESTER (NZL)

     Iman SADEGHI (GK): Omid ALISHAH, Bahman MALEKI, Iman SHIRAZI, Ali GOUDARZI, Mehrgan GOLBARG, Kaveh REZAEI, Afshin ESMAEIL,

     Payam SADEGHIAN (C) (89′ Hossein GOUHARI ), Mehrdad YEGANEH, Saeid LOTFI

Coach: Ali DOUSTIMEHR (IRN)

[divider]

IRAN vs. NETHERLANDS 1-0

31-Oct-2009
Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu
Referee: Carlos BATRES (GUA)

Goal: Milad GHARIBI (25′)

  Iman SADEGHI (GK): Bahman MALEKI, Iman SHIRAZI, Ali GOUDARZI (C),Morteza POURALIGANJI, Mehrgan GOLBARG, Akbar IMANI (71′ Hossein GOUHARI ),

     Kaveh REZAEI (82′ Payam SADEGHIAN) , Milad GHARIBI, Mehrdad YEGANEH (90′ Saeid GHADAMI), Saeid LOTFI

Coach: Ali DOUSTIMEHR (IRN)

[divider]

IRAN vs. URUGUAY 1-2 a.e.t

05-Nov-2009
UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar
Referee: Stephane LANNOY (FRA)

Goal: Afshin ESMAEIL (119′)

Iman SADEGHI (GK):  Omid ALISHAH, Iman SHIRAZI, Ali GOUDARZI, Morteza POURALIGANJI (99′ Afshin ESMAEIL), Mehrgan GOLBARG,

    Hamid AMALI (69′ Ali HEYDARI), Kaveh REZAEI, Payam SADEGHIAN (85’Milad GHARIBI), Mehrdad YEGANEH, Saeid LOTFI

Coach: Ali DOUSTIMEHR (IRN)

 

 

Iran U-22 drawn in a challenging group.

Muscat:

Muscat:  Team Melli U-22 was drawn in a difficult group  of the Inaugural AFC U-22 Championship as the draw was conducted in the capital of the Sultanate of Oman on Saturday.  Japan, Australia, and Kuwait will be challenging Iran for a place in the next round.  Team Melli U-22 has already faced Kuwait in the Qualifiers and beat them by the slimmest of margins 1-0.

A total of sixteen teams – Iraq, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iran, Kuwait, Jordan, Uzbekistan, Yemen, Japan Australia, DPR Korea, China, Korea Republic, Myanmar and hosts Oman, who have qualified for the tournament proper, learned their fate in the draw.

The opening match of the hosts taking on Myanmar will be held on January 11, 2014 at the famous Sultan Qaboos Stadium of Muscat. Korea Republic and Jordan are the other sides in Group A.

The tournament is the first edition of the U-22 championship and every alternate championship will serve as the Olympic qualifiers.

DPR Korea, are pitted alongside other West Asian countries – the UAE, Syria and Yemen in Group B.

Asian football powerhouse Japan are in tough Group C which also features Australia, Iran and Kuwait while Iraq will meet Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan and China in Group D.

THE GROUPINGS

Group A: Oman, Jordan, Korea Republic, Myanmar

Group B : DPR Korea, UAE, Syria, Yemen

Group C: Japan, Australia, Iran, Kuwait

Group D: Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, China

A scathing attack by Nekounam on the authorities.

Tehran.

In the post-match news conference,   Javad Nekounam expressed his deep concern and disappointment with the state of affairs in the football federation. After the 3-1 win of Esteghlal against Sorinet Rah Ahan,  where Nekounam scored the third goal from the penalty spot, the Captain of Team Melli was highly critical of the management of football and lack of true support from the authorities, expressing his dismay and apprehension with the current affair of Team Melli and football in general in Iran.  The Nekounam was particularly bitter about the cancellation of Team Melli training camp which was supposed to be held in Portugal. He said that the players have done their utmost best and delivered by qualifying for the World Cup, but the rewards was not only not forthcoming , because of financial difficulties,  even the basic requirement for preparation of the team towards the world cup has been neglected by cancelation of this scheduled training camp and friendly matches.” This is simply undermining the Team Melli preparation. “According to Nekounam.

Nekounam celebrates scoring the winner
Nekounam celebrates scoring the winner

“I thank God that our next match against Thailand is an official match that cannot be cancelled. With such a state of affairs, don’t expect much from Team Melli in the World Cup.  You need to lower your expectations from our team because we simply cannot produce the goods at World Cup level with such poor programming and ill-preparation. We should be more than content at whatever we can possibly achieve in Asia and that is all.” Nekounam addressed the media in the press conference.

In one of the strongest criticism targeting the football federation and the country’s leaders, Nekounam said “The players and the coaches have done their job admirably. Under difficult circumstances, against the odds and while our backs was to the wall, we have won, achieved qualification and even topped our group. The hierarchy, the federation and the administrators on the other hand, did not deliver anything that they have promised.”

“Not only the resources that were available to Team Melli have not improved, it has in fact it has deteriorated. Qualifying for the World Cup is the dream of every nation in the world. It is a glorious honor for teams and most countries cherish such event and give all the support and resources available, but not in our country. All we received was promises after promises.”  Nekounam stated in a veiled reference to the former President Mahmoud AhmadiNejad , a staunch Team Melli fan, who promised so much but delivered very little , if anything, towards the team.

A reporter asked Nekounam, why Carlos Queiroz was dozing off during the match today, Nekounam said that the Portuguese coach cannot be blamed.  “He is upset. At the end of the day, although he is trying his best to produce a quality team that will be the pride of the people, he is facing all sorts of difficulties and hurdles. So , I suppose he will simply fulfill his contract by gathering the 20 odd players and take them to Brazil, as hope for the best. As simple as that.”

Ghalenoei grievances

In the same press conference, Nekounam’s coach at Esteghlal and the former Team Melli coach, Amir Ghalenoei , exposed the unpleasent condition that his players and staff are exposed to by the club with the club holding payment of their wages. After Esteghlal laborious win in the Persian Gulf League against Sorinet Rah Ahan, coach expressed his bitterness and embarrassment with the team condition.  “ After the difficult game in the Asian Champions league match on Wednesday, where the players spent so much energy to maintain the result, we had to face yet another match against a good team in the league. It is only the integrity and the principle of the players that is keeping this team intact, else how can one expect these players to give their %100 while they have not been paid! I feel ashamed and embarrassed to face the players and  staffs. I feel their pain and I simply feel very uncomfortable to criticize their performance on the field, under these circumastances. I really feel bad because I am as quite helpless and cannot do much for the players, coaches and support staff to get their salaries and expenses. ”

Amir "Ardashir" Ghalenoei - Esteghlal's Coach addressing news conference.
Amir “Ardashir” Ghalenoei – Esteghlal’s Coach addressing news conference.

Ghalenoei was also critical of the league scheduling. “We played in the Champions League 4 days ago , while all the other teams had a 6 days’ rest. What would have wrong with giving us one day extra rest and playing on Monday?. While sometimes the league is stopped for Team, Melli programs for over two or three weeks, meaning no matches, suddenly we have t play 3 matches in a matter of a week.!”

 

 

Mojtaba Jabbari in trouble, again !

Mojtaba Jabbari , one of the most talented and creative midfield players in Iran at the present time is again involved in another dispute ,  that has deprived him from playing regular football  this time with his current club , Sepahan Esfahan.

The long list of Jabbari’s disputes and battles in Iran can only be matches by another talented and skillful player of Iran, namely Ali Karimi. Somehow it seems that being a worthy skillful and entertaining player must be synonymous with trouble maker.

Rumors were circulating from various sources in Esfahan and the Iranian media about Mojtaba Jabbari’s impending departure from Sepahan.  Whatever problems Team Melli midfielder had with his club, surfaced in the open after an interview given to the press in which Jabbari criticized the coach’s tactics. In professional football, it is always expected that some disciplinary action is taken against such acts of indiscretion by players.  It is not the first time that the quick trigger mouth of the Jabbari has put him into trouble.

The two talented Iranian midfielders Karimo vs. Jabbari
The two talented Iranian midfielders Karimo vs. Jabbari

In today’s post Sepahan – Saba Qom match press conference, the Croat coach of Sepahan Esfahan , Zlatko”Cico” Kranjcar confirmed that Jabbari has been suspended by the club and not allowed to attend the teams  practices and  subsequently not available for selection for official matches. Kranjcar said that “ the club has given their recently joined player all the support  he needed to integrate himself with the rest of the team, however , it seems that he is not settled and he is unsure of him being here while publicly criticizing us.  Because of that, we have given him time to sort himself out. We still willing to have him in the team, but only if he fully applies himself as a Sepahan player working within the framework of the team for team. We need committed players”

 It seemed to the outside observer, that Jabbari abrupt signing for Sepahan was done on haste. The circumstances behind his signing were far from professional and highly emotional. Jabbari was a persona non grata at Esteghlal as the result of series of disputes that Jabbari had with the club , including but not limited to financial disputes. The matter reached a flash point of no return when he was involved in a physical scuffle with Esteghlal’s Chief Executive Ali Fathollazadeh.  Jabbari claimed that the vulgar Fathollazadeh used obscene words during their arguments which prompted him to physical attack the CEO of Esteghlal.  The player was immediately sacked from the club and Sepahan pounced on the opportunity to sign him without really addressing the circumstances of his departure or indeed analyzing the player’s psychological profile and his willing to give it all for another club different from his beloved Esteghlal.

Mojtaba Jabbari
Mojtaba Jabbari

Now, Jabbri has realized that his heart is not in Sepahan but there in Tehran. He has already told a reporter that as soon as Fathollazadeh leaves Esteghlal or is sacked, he will promptly return to Esteghlal! Such statement did not endear him with Sepahan supporters and much less with the club management and it showed definite lack of commitment by the player for Sepahan Club.

So, here is another example of a very talented player who has personality issues which hinders his progress and potential. Regardless to who is right and who is at fault , Jabbari , like many other Iranian players, lack the professional conduct and proper conflict resolution tactics preferring to open their mouth in public resulting in antagonism and disorder. The result will always reflect on the player himself as even the most die-hard fan of such player will eventually lose patience and sympathy with him by saying “What a waste of talent!”

Iran U-14 to meet South Korea in the final.

Iran’s U-14 football team defeated Iraq 1-0 in the semi final of the 2013 Asian Youth games to set a date with South Korea in the final Gold Medal match on Friday 23rd August.

The semi final match was played in Wutaishan Stadium, Nanjing saw Iran’s top scorer Shahab Rashno score the only goal of game in the 24th minute and his 5th of the competition. Rashno scored from a penalty kick after the Iraqi goalkeeper tripped him in the box.  Despite the e Iraqi’s good showing in the group matches and expectations to be a stiff competition , the Iraqi team was too conservative and did not show enough grit to challenge the young Iranians until much later stages of the match which was mostly dominated by Iran. The young Iranians did not manage to produce more than the one goal to show  for their dominance. The rough playing Iraqi’s , desperate for scoring the equalizer lost their tops as the game was nearing the end. In a scuffle, the Chinese referee sent two Iraqi’s players off for un-sportsmanship behavior!

Shahab Rashni - Iran U14 top scorer
Shahab Rashni – Iran U14 top scorer

In the other semi-final , bitter rivals of the Korean peninsula , South and North met in a grueling match. The South Koreans scored the only goal of the match in the second half to set an interesting meeting and renew yet another rivalry with Iran in the finals.

 

FINAL MATCH

Team Melli U14 lost the final; match 1-0 againt the South Koreans to win football’s silver medal in teh 2013 Asian Youth Games.

Ali Daei awarded World Peace Prize.

The Iranian football legend and the current coach of Perspolis, Former striker and Captain of Team Melli, Ali Daei has been awarded the World Peace Prize by the  Ambassadors of International Institute for Peace.

The ceremony took place on Tuesday at 18:00 (local time) in the Vahdat concert Hall in Tehran. Numerous dignitaries, actors, artists, sports figures, scholars, and ambassadors from several countries attended the ceremony which is held in recognition of the charity and Peace works of sport and Cinema personalities in their society. It is normally awarded to persons who have an impact within and beyond the borders of their countries. Ali Daei is globally recognized as the most prolific international goal scorer. He holds the world record for scoring in international games (109 goals in 149 matches)

Daei played his football in Qatar , Germany , UAE and Iran.

After retirement , Daei went into coaching and won the league title with Saipa. He also had a stint with Team Melli m but was sacked after the defeat to Saudi Arabia in Azadi in 2009.

It is believed that Ali Daei is the most recognized Iranian in the world, because of his fame in football.