Author: Editor

A strong start for Iran U-19.

Behnam celebration.

Team Melli U-19 defeated Japan 2-0 in the first match of group A of the AFC U-19 Asian Championship in Ras Al Khaima today. An Early goal by Behnam Barzay in the 3rd minute from a powerful header and another goal from substitute Fazeli scored in the second half, sealed the win and 3 points for Iran.

Team Melli shocked Japan, the title contender and 6 times finalist, with an early goal in the 3rd minute. Behnam Barzay towering over all the Japanese defenders to head home from a corner. The Japanese were not too concerned and played strongly with heir usual offensive and disciplined style, however almost all their attacks were broken by the “Wave-breaker” like Iranian solid defense.

This pattern continued throughout the match as despite more possession , Japan failed to really threaten Mohammad Naseri  in Iran’s goal. Whatever balls that were filtered to the Iranian goalkeeper , he dealt with easily.

Just before the hour mark , Fazeli scored the second goal for Team Melli from his first touch of the ball. The substitute player scored from a rebounded shot off the woodwork that hit the Japanese goalkeeper. Fazeli tapped the ball in after the Japanese defenders failed to control the ball.

The rhythm of the match continued however , Iran was clearly the more dangerous as the woodwork saved the Japanese from 3 goals. The Japanese disciplined play was no match for the powerful and more individually skilful Iranians.

Team Melli will be meeting UAE in the next match on Monday. The host drew with Kuwait 1-1 in the same group in an earlier match.

Match Details

AFC U-19 CHAMPIONSHIP 2012

FINAL ROUND
03-11-2012 21:00 GST
Emirates Stadium, Ras al-Khaimah, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

JAPAN vs. IRAN

0 – 2

Goals   Behnam Barzay 3′ – Hossein Fazeli 56′

Referee:     ABDUL MALIK ABDUL BASHIR (SINGAPORE)

Japan : Kushibiki Masatoshi  (GK) ; Matsubara Ken ,  Endo Wataru (c), Nara Tatsuki (77; Tanabe Ryota) , Yamanaka Ryosuke , Kumagai Andrew ,  Notsuda Gakuto (61′ Onose Kosuke),  Kubo Yuya , Ohshima Ryota , Watari Daiki ( 46′ Yajima Shinya), Matsumoto Masaya .

Coach: Yoshida Yashushi

Iran:  Mohammad Naseri (GK); Yousef Vakia, Hossein Kanani , Ahmad Abdollahzadeh,  Mohammad hossein Mor , Mohammad Ali Faramarzi, Farshid Esmaeili, Alireza Jahan bakhsh (c), Ali Choopani (56; Hossein Fazeli) , Behnam Barzay (66′ Ehsan Pahlavan), Sardar Azmoun  ( 80′ Amin JahanKohan)

Coach: Akbar Mohammadi

YelloW card: Ahmad Abdollahzadeh (IRN)

Iran ties Spain in a thrilling futsal match.

Iran against Spain

Bangkok , Thailand,

In a thrilling and highly entertaining match, the two powerhouses of World Futsal  Iran and Spain drew 2-2 in the FIFA Futsal World Thailand 2012 in Bangkok. The match was the first for both teams in group B played in the Huamark Indoor Arena.

Despite having more ball possession than the European champions , Spain , Team Melli was two goal behind by the end of the 1st half,  MIGUELIN (4’03”) and LOZANO (15’34”) scored Spain goals.

In the second half, Iran cam much stronger and determined than their powerful opponents and after several close misses, Taheri shot after a slick move to dribble past his marker . was parried by Spain keeper , but Masoud Daneshvar was there to score the tap in.

Iran seem the much fitter team in the second half and soon  the equalizer was scored by Hossein Tayebi from an assist by Hassanzadeh.

A glorious opportunity was missed 2 mints before the end when Hassanzadeh rounded the Spanish goalkeeper but , slightly unbalanced , shot wide with the empty goal at his mercy .

It was one thrilling finale as both teams came close to scoring in the dying seconds of the match. The last second of the match saw Nazari brilliantly save a shot .

The match ended 2-2 , in a repeat of their last encounter in the FIFA Futsal World Cup Brazil 2008 when the teams drew 3-3 in that match.

Hamid Ahmadi and Ali Hassanzadeh were awarded yellow cards by the referee , the latter was for violation during the substitution. Spanish players received 4 yellow card

Iran will be meeting Morocco on the 5th November. The African representative lost their first natch 8-3 against Panama in the same group in the match held earlier in the day.


fifa.com reports

Asian heavyweights Iran came from two goals behind to secure a 2-2 draw against six-time European champions Spain in their FIFA Futsal World Cup 2012 opener at the Huamark Indoor Stadium in Bangkok.

The Spanish, who have twice lifted the trophy at this tournament, raced into a half-time advantage but had to settle for a point with their Group B rivals after an entertaining match-up between two teams intent on attacking throughout.

Miguelin’s precision finish put Spain ahead in the early stages and their lead was doubled shortly before half-time when Lozano took advantage of a rebound, following clever play by Torras, to find the back of the net.

But Iran improved in the second period and earned the draw they deserved courtesy of goals from Masoud Daneshvar and Hossein Tayebi within three minutes of each other, much to the delight of the considerable Iranian support.

The pair are back in Group B action on Monday, when Spain face section pace-setters Panama after Iran have met Morocco.


Spain (ESP)

Statistics

Iran (IRN)
36 Shots 45
12 Shots on goal 15
3 Accumulated Fouls 1st half 6
4 Accumulated Fouls 2nd half 2
6 Corner kicks 6
0 Free Kicks to Goal 2
0 / 0 Penalty Kicks (Goals/Shots) 0 / 0
0 / 0 2nd Penalty goal / 2nd Penalty shot 0 / 0
4 Yellow cards 2
0 Second yellow card and red card 0
0 Red Cards 0
50% Possession (%) 50%
1 Time out 1st half 1
1 Time out 2nd half 1

Cards

  • Yellow Card 11 LIN (10’41”)
  • Yellow Card 2 ORTIZ (30’09”)
  • Yellow Card 8 KIKE (32’18”)
  • Yellow Card 14 ALEMAO (33’40”)
  • (6’28”) Hamid AHMADI 5 Yellow Card
  • (16’38”) Ali HASSANZADEH 7 Yellow Card
  Source:
FIFA logo

Tough start for Iran’s futsal

Iran’s Team Melli Futsal , will begin its quest for qualification to the next round by meeting Spain in the FIFA Fustal World Cup 2012 on Friday 2nd Nov. 2012. The other two teams in group B are Morocco and Panama.

Bangkok’s Futsal Arena

Spain is one of the two top teams of the tournament along with Brazil. Iran and Spain have met 14 times in various international Futsal matches, with Team Melli managing a solitary win against the powerhouse European team. Spain has won 9 times while 4 matches ended in a draw.

While the Spanish team is enjoying one of its best runs in the history, Iran has lost its title this year when Thailand knocked them out by beating them in the semi finals. Iran won the third rank and qualified for the FIFA Futsal World cup, however that shock defeat prompted the federation to act and recruit a world renowned football coach to support the inexperienced coach Sanei.

Jesus Candelas Rodrigo was appointed as technical director of Iran futsal in a supporting role along with Mohammad Sanei. The 55-year-old Spaniard first real test will be against his own country on Friday.  He is considered one of the top coaches in Spain and has produced and coached many quality Spanish player , many of them have represented their country at international level.

Team Melli will be missing the influencial and leagendary player Vahid Shamsaei.

Vahid Shamsaei , is the world top futsal scorer in addition to being the most celebrated futsal player in Iran. Shamsaei’s exclusion is based  on differences with the federation and the coaching staff recently, rather than technical.

 

 

Iran vs Spain Result Penalty
22/10/2010 – Anápolis (BRA)
– Grand Prix 2010
Spain vs Iran 6 – 4
01/10/2008 – Rio de Janeiro (BRA)
– FIFA World Futsal Ch. – Brazil 2008 (FT) (6th)
Spain vs Iran 3 – 3
20/08/2008 – Tehran (IRI)
– Friendly Match
Iran vs Spain 1 – 2
19/08/2008 – Tehran (IRI)
– Friendly Match
Iran vs Spain 1 – 2
28/12/2006 – ? (ESP)
– Friendly Match
Spain vs Iran 5 – 2
27/12/2006 – ? (ESP)
– Friendly Match
Spain vs Iran 3 – 3
21/10/2003 – Teheran (IRI)
– Friendly Match
Iran vs Spain 2 – 2
29/04/2003 – La Rioja (ESP)
– Friendly Match
Spain vs Iran 2 – 2
28/04/2003 – Santander (ESP)
– Friendly Match
Spain vs Iran 6 – 2
27/11/2001 – Singapore (SIN)
– TIGER 5s 2001 (3rd)
Spain vs Iran 3 – 0
22/11/2000 – Guatemala City (GUA)
– FIFA World Futsal Ch. – Guatemala 2000 (FT) (4th)
Iran vs Spain 2 – 7
04/12/1997 – Singapore (SIN)
– TIGER 5s 1997 (1st)
Spain vs Iran 7 – 1
28/11/1992 – Hong Kong (HKG)
– FIFA World Futsal Ch. – Hong Kong 1992 (FT) (2nd)
Spain vs Iran 9 – 6
24/11/1992 – Hong Kong (HKG)
– FIFA World Futsal Ch. – Hong Kong 1992 (FT) (2nd)
Iran vs Spain 4 – 2

List of Team Melli players for Tajikistan & Uzbekistan matches.

 

Ashkan Dejagah shadowed by Korea’s.Sukyoung YUN

Carlos Queiroz announced a list of  28-players for the friendly against Tajikistan (November 6) followed by the World Cup qualifier against Uzbekistan (November 14), both in Azadi stadium.

The final list of 23 or 24 players for the Uzbekistan match will be announced after the Tajikistan match , which is played outside the FIFA recognized day , resulting in the unavailability of several legionnaires players.

To compensate for the absentees , more Persian Gulf League players were invited.
The announced list have some notable absentees such as Malavan’s  Maziar Zare, and the suspended Osasuna player, Masoud Shojaei. Hadi Aghili is still recovering from the injury that prevented him playing against Korea Rep., while Rubin Kazan keeper Alireza Haghighi, who never made an impact with the Russian club , has been omitted due to lack of match practice

There are returns for some familiar names , such as  wingers Arash Afshin (pictured) and Yaghoub Karimi. in addition to the  previously injured young defender Shoja’a Khalilzade.

The list of invited players.

Goalkeepers:
Mehdi RAHMATI – Esteghlal
Rahman Ahmadi – Saipa
Sousha Makani – Naft Tehran

Defenders:
Khosrow HEYDARI– Esteghlal
Hossein  MAHINI – Persepolis
Jalal HOSSEINI,– Persepolis
Pejman MONTAZERI,– Esteghlal
Mohammad Nosrati – Tractor Sazi
Shojaa  KHALILZADEH, – Mes
Mehrdad POOLADI, – Persepolis
Ehsan HAJSAFY, – Tractor Sazi

Midfielders:
Javad NEKOUNAM – Esteghlal
Andranik TEYMOURIAN, – Kharaityat, QAT
Pejman NOURI– Malavan
Abolghasim DEHNAVI, – Tractor Sazi
Omid NAZARI– Ängelholms, SWE
Ali KARIMI – Persepolis
Mohammad  NOURI – Persepolis
Milad Nouri – Saba

Strikers:
Ashkan DEJAGAH  – Fulham, ENG
Reza GHOOCHANEJAD – Sint Truiden, BEL
MohamadReza KHALATBARY– Sepahan
Yaghoub Karimi – Naft Tehran
Arash Afshin – Foolad
Ahmad Hassanzadeh – Mes
Mohammad Ghazi  NAJAFABADI– Persepolis
Karim ANSARIFARD – Persepolis
Jalal Rafkhaei – Malavan

Querioz and Manuel José disputes intensify.

Carlos Queiroz & Manuel Jose’

The on-going dispute between the two Portuguese nationals that occupy the most sensitive posts in Iran’s football, continues unabated.

The dispute between Carlos Manuel Brito Leal Queiroz , the head coach of Team Melli and Manuel José de Jesus Silva , the head coach of Perspolis club of Tehran, goes back from the days when both were coaching in Portugal. The disagreements continued even as both left Portugal to world abroad.

 In a statement to Fars News Agency , Queiroz accused his compatriot of attempting to sow seeds of differences between himself and Team Melli players by unsubstantiated  allegations, thereby undermining the interest of the national football team

Queiroz stated that he intended to answer the allegations of his compatriot, Manuel Jose,  after the coach of Perspolis was interviewed by a local newpaper in which he claimed that Queiroz is having a negative influence on his club. “The interview was published a few days before the game between Iran vs. South Korea national teams in which Jose attacked me and some players. I wanted to answer him, but due to the proximity of the match with South Korea and its sensitivity, I decided against doing so and opted to leave the matter with the IFF disciplinary committee to deal with this matter. However, that was not done and I am obliged now to respond to all those allegations made against me.” Queiroz explained.

 Referring to Manuel Jose comments “it evidently illustrates the characters of that individual. It is helpless and confused, and in the process, he decided to try to confuse and mislead the masses.” Queiroz said of his compatriot.

 “Mr. Manuel Jose utterance is quite disrespectful towards Team Melli and is completely unacceptable and deserves a serious response from the authorities. Jose Manuel behavior and morality does not surprise me at all. When I look at the present situation of morality in Persepolis,  coach Jose is hiding from reality and is on denial. The current situation in that club is a witness to this fact.” Queiroz added

“Through this public statement, I invite Mr. Manuel José to provide documents and clear statements to prove the charges made in that interview. I want to stress that I am pretty sure that that Mr. Manuel Jose will not be able to demonstrate and validate his allegations.”

Queiroz concluded his statement by saying. “At the end of the day, Jose has no option but to apologize for his disrespect towards Team Melli and some of the players”

While full details of their dispute and disagreements are vague, (some claiming that it was fundamentally to do with football ideology) it is obvious that these two do not see eye to eye. Such disputes or differences between coaches occur globally, but in this particular case, the problem between these two is magnified by the fact that Perspolis has the largest number of players in Team Melli.from .

In clear defiance to Manuel Jose and Perspolis Club , Carlos Queiroz selected Ali Karimi in his squad to play Korea Republic, despite the fact that the midfielder was suspended from club due to disciplinary reasons and out of match practice.

Jose Manuel claimed that Karimi is influenced by Carlos Querioz and implied that this was a source of the player’s revolt in the club.

Tajikistan announces squad for Iran friendly,

Nicola Kavazovic  , the Head coach of Tajikistan national football team announced the list of 24 players  taking part in the training camp for the friendly match against Team Melli  scheduled for 6th October in Azadi. The squad includes four new players, midfielder “Istiqlol” Umedzhon Sharipov goalkeeper “Istaravshan” Farrukh Berdiev, as well as players “Vakhsh” – the defender and midfielder Naim Ulmas Jamoliddin Zard.

The Tajik team will begin preparations for the friendly on Thursday, November 1. The team will meet in Dushanbe in a hotel “Istiqlol” and on the same day will hold a training session at the Central Republican Stadium. Short-term collection will last only two days. On Saturday, November 3, the team will fly to Tehran, 3 days before the match in the   100,00 seat stadium.

The national team Tajikistan,

Goalkeepers: Alisher Tuychiev (“Istiklol”), Farrukh Berdiev (“Istaravshan”), Alisher Dodov (“Regar-TadAZ”);

Defenders: Sohib Savankulov, Eradzh Radjabov Mahmadali Sadykov, Jahangir Djalilov Davrondzhon Ergashev (all – “Istiqlol”), Alex Negmatov, Daler Tuhtasunov (both – “Regar-TadAZ”) Ahtam Nazarov (“Energetic”), Naim Ulmasov ( “Vakhsh”);

Midfielders: Fathullo Fathulloev, Dilshod Vosiev, Nuriddin Davronov, Umedzhon Sharipov, Ibrahim Rabimov (all – “Istiqlol”) Jamoliddin Zardov (“Vakhsh”) Khurshed Makhmudov Jamshed Ismailov (both – “Regar-TadAZ”);

Forwards: Ahtam Khamrokulov, Komil Saidov (both – “Regar-TadAZ”), Yusuf Rabiev, Farhad Tohirov (both – “Istiklol”).

Nekounam “I don’t have to prove anything to anyone.”

President Ahmadinejad talks to Nekounam

A week after scoring that decisive goal of Javad Nekounam against Korea Republic, which secured three vital points for Team Melli, the Captain of the team spoke about various aspects of football to Esteghlal official website.

Asked about his feeling of the goal and the ensuing celebration, Nekounam said “There was little time for celebration. As soon as the International commitment was over, we had to return back to the club to prepare for the league games which are becoming crucial at this stage.  I had a slight knock and at the moment I am trying quite hard to recover from it.”

Asked if the goal he has scored against Korea, eased some pressure over him as the Captain of the team and a key player. Nekounam said that he has nothing to prove to anyone. He has proven himself some time ago.

“I always wanted to join Esteghlal.”

After 4 months of returning back to Iran’s league, Nekounam said he was satisfied with his decision to return back home after so many years as a legionnaire playing in the UAE and the La Liga. He also stressed that he always wanted to play for Esteghlal. When he made his decision to return to Iran’s league , Esteghlal was his first choice and fortunately, that was the case. “Even before going to Spain, I spoke to Amir Ghalenoei and indicated to him that I like to join Esteghlal. But he encouraged me to pursue my career in Spain. His advice was quite valuable.”  Nekounam said. He also added that he had little expectations about the football in Iran and was not affected by some bad publicity that was and is still going around about the so-called corruption in football. He said that he had not personally experienced some of the claims that have been aired and he is happily doing his trade in home land, however, if he ever found unbearable difficulties and if the environment is not encouraging, he would not hesitate to think about playing abroad again.

Nekounam down played the issue of Esteghlal Captaincy which created some ill feeling between players. He said that he did not join Esteghlal to walk over other more senior players and instantly become a Captain of the team. “Seniority is very important and even if a player who joined a day before me , should also be more senior than I am. I am not going to demand that I have to be the Captain and will respect the senior players’ position in Esteghlal.”

Nekounam said that he does not care much for the critics who had issues with his form in Esteghlal and Team Melli. Claims that his form is below par and not consistent with his form in Osasuna, did not bother him. Nekounam said that he wants to enjoy his football and that is his objective. He said that he is not too fond of giving interviews and admitted that he had a bit of a problem with the media while he was in Spain but he managed to sort it out with some diplomacy.

“There are lots of lies and fabrications doing the rounds here.”

On the aspect of off field issues surrounding football in Iran, Team Melli Captain was very critical of what is being mentioned in the media which has no relation to the factual events. He said that some reporters dream of some imaginary event and the next day they publish it in their newspapers as facts or hot news!. “There are lots of lies and fabrications doing the rounds here. For some people it seems that they enjoy reading controversial tabloid type news which is created by some reporters.  There is a wide gap of thoughts between here and Europe in this sense.”

On the forthcoming match against Uzbekistan , Nekounam said “it is going to be a tough game despite the fact that we will be at home. We really need this victory as this will be our path to qualification for the World Cup 2014 in Brazil.” Commenting further on the match , he said that the absence of Masoud Shojaei from that match due to suspension for his red card against Korea , will not affect the team as there are enough competent replacement in Team Melli to fill the gap.

Team Melli will play Uzbekistan in Azadi on November 14th , 2012. With 4 matches played, Iran is second behind Korea Republic on goal difference with 7 points.

22 players of Iran’s U19 squad for AFC Championship.

Iran U-19 team

Iran Football Federation announced the names of the 22 players who will take part in the 2012 AFC U-19 Championship, which will be held from November 4 to 17 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The squad that will be coached by Akbar Mohammadi, i starting training immediately and will be in camp at Azadi Sports complex until the commencement of the tournament.

Iran enjoyed a morale-boosting win ahead of the AFC U-19 Championship by claiming the AFF U19 Tournament in Vietnam with a 2-1 victory over Uzbekistan. Australi and home team Vietnam were the other two participants.

Alireza Jahanbakhsh – Iran’s U-19 Captain

In the final match,  Iran’s skipper Alireza Jahanbakhsh scored both his side’s goals, opening the scoring with barely a minute at the Thong Nhat Stadium gone and netted what transpired to be the decisive goal in the 23rd minute, four minutes after Igor Sergeev had headed home Uzbekistan’s equalizer.

Iran is pooled with hosts UAE, Japan and Kuwait in Group A.

List of 22 players

  1. Roozbeh Chashmi (Moghavamat Tehran),
  2. Ali Mohsenzadeh  (Moghavamat Tehran)
  3. Vahid Heydarieh (Peykan Tehran)
  4. MohammadHossein Knanyzadgan (Persepolis)
  5. Behnam Barzay (Sanat naft Abadan)
  6. Yusuf  Vakya (Foolad Khuzistan)
  7. Ahmad Abdollahzadeh, (Foolad Khuzistan)
  8. Amin  Jehankohan (Foolad Khuzistan)
  9. Waleed Mashayzadeh (Foolad Khuzistan)
  10. Ali Choopani (Sepahan Esfahan)
  11. MohammadHossein Radmand (Sepahan Esfahan)
  12. Sardar Azmoon (Sepahan Esfahan)
  13. Hossein Fazeli (Sepahan Esfahan)
  14. Mohammad Naseri (Sepahan Esfahan)
  15. AliReza Jahanbakhsh (Damash)
  16. Mohammad Daneshgar (Fajr Sepasi)
  17. Farshid Esmaeili (Fajr Sepasi)
  18. Mohammad Ali Framarzi (Fajr Sepasi)
  19. Ehsan Pahlavan (Gostarish Foolad)
  20. Mohammad Heidari (Mes Kerman)
  21. Hojat Sidghi (Mes Kerman)
  22. Farshad Murad  Karimi (Mes Kerman)

Futsal Team Melli list for FIFA World Cup 2012

 

Mohammad Keshavarz

The final list of 14 players of Iran’s futsal team has been submitted to FIFA Funtsal World Cup 2012 organizing committee as the representative of Team Melli in the championship starting in Bangkok on th18th November 2012..

The two most notable omissions were the legendary Vahid Shamsaei  and Javad Asghari Moghaddam.

 

1) Alireza Samimi – Melli Haffari Ahvaz

2) Saeed Kiaei – Shahid Mansouri Qarchak

3) Ali Rahnema – Shahid Mansouri Qarchak

4) Mohammad Keshavarz – Giti Pasand Esfahan

5) Hamid Ahmadi – Shahid Mansouri Qarchak

6) Afshin Kazemi – Giti Pasand Esfahan

7) Ali Asghar Hassanzadeh – Saba Qom

8) Mostafa Tayebi – Shahid Mansouri Qarchak

9) Masoud Daneshvar – Labaniayat Arzan Shiraz

10) Mohammad Taheri – Shahid Mansouri Qarchak

11) Hossein Tayebi – Giti Pasand Esfahan

12) Mostafa Nazari – Dabiri Tabriz

13) Ahmad Ismailpour – Giti Pasand Esfahan

14) Sepehr Mohammadi – Giti Pasand Esfahan

 

 

A friendly match with Tajikistan announced.

Tajik Football

Iranian Football federation , through its official website , announced the arrangement of a friendly football match against Tajikistan (Ranked 136) on November 6th , a week before meeting Uzbekistan in Azadi.

The match against the Farsi-speaking country will serve as a preparation for the match against Uzbekistan in the FIFA world Cup Brazil 2014 qualification match. Iran is currently second in the table of 5 teams with 7 points , the same as the leaders Korea Rep. who have  a superior goal difference.

Iran has become notorious for announcing and then canceling friendly international games, the latest was the match with North Korea which was canceled in the aftermath of the loss to Lebanon. Although Team Melli has failed to arrange any high quality matches at home, a match with Tunisia was played in Hungary during the training camp held there. Since Carlos Queiroz took the helm , Tunisia was the only friendly opposition which was ranked slightly higher that Iran in the FIFA ranking system.