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Hadi Aghili bemaons lack of support and sympathy

Sepahan Esfahan defender Hadi Aghili is bitter about the lack of support and absence of any moves to return him back to Team Melli similar to other players.

In an interview with ISNA , Aghili said “there has been a strong lobby to return Rahmati to Team Melli for the World Cup. Similarly , when a player like Payam Sadeghian is not selected , lots of people are upset, demanding his inclusion while questioning the coach’s decision. On the other hand, I have no such lobby and no one has publicly or privately called for  the return of Hadi Aghili to Team Melli.”

“I have played my role for my country and I am always proud to serve my nation. Perhaps I made a mistake , or maybe I did not , but regardless of all that , It is prudent to recognize my long services for Team Melli. Certain players from certain clubs have immense lobbying power, we don’t have that power in Sepahan. If I was a player in a club with 20 million supporter , things might have been different.”

Hadi Aghili left the camp of Team Melli without permission in what looked like a protest against being benched for a match. The move which has greatly upset Queiroz , resulted from him being permanently excluded from selection to the team , as long as Queiroz is the coach.

Hadi Aghili never came up to properly apologize to the federation or the coach for his misdemeanor and lack of respect for the team spirit and coach.

 

 

AFC Futsal C’ship (QF): Vietnam vs Iran Preview

Published: 06 May 2014

Ho Chi Minh City: Coach Bruno Garcia believes Vietnam must play a perfect game if they are to beat 10-time winners Iran in their AFC Futsal Championship quarter-final on Wednesday.

After suffering an opening defeat to Iraq, the hosts turned their fortunes around by beating Tajikistan 10-4 and Kuwait 2-1 to secure a first-ever appearance in the knockout stage.

But after a mistake from goalkeeper Dang Phuoc Anh allowed Abdulrahman Al Mosabehi to score for Kuwait with five seconds remaining on Sunday, Vietnam slipped down to second place in Group A on goal difference to set-up a difficult quarter-final at Phu Tho Stadium.

“I am very happy to be playing in the quarter-finals for the first time in our history, and for us it is like a final,” said Spanish-born coach Garcia, who had only been with the national side for two months prior to the tournament.

“My group have gained confidence game-by-game and we will try to prepare and rest for this game as we know the difficulty of the task.

“The opponents are a strong team, but all eight teams who qualify for the quarter-finals are very strong and we need to play the perfect game to win.

“In sport you have to think you always have a chance, or if you don’t, you might as well go home.”

Iran, who were forced to settle for a third place finish two years ago in the United Arab Emirates, are the only team left in the tournament with a 100% record.

Jesus Candelas’ side booked their place in the last eight with an 8-1 victory over Australia having earlier recorded wins over Indonesia and China, with Iran having scored 25 goals and conceded just two in their three games in Group B.

“From now on all the matches are finals for me,” said Iran coach Candelas.

“I said before the tournament began that Vietnam had the capacity to be in the final two, and this is still the case.

“We want to get better through the tournament, but we are not feeling that we are at our best yet.”

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Hosts Vietnam can hardly beat Iran in their quarterfinal match on Wednesday at the 2014 Asian Futsal Championship, Spanish coach Jesus Candelas of the Iranian team told Tuoi Tre newspaper during an interview on Monday.

What is your assessment of the strengths of the Vietnamese team?

Coach Jesus Candelas: I think Vietnam can hardly defeat Iran because of a big gap in the quality between the two teams. However, the chance to win the game still depends on the performance of Vietnam.

The hosts have wonderful fans. I saw how they cheerfully supported their home team in Vietnam’s match with Kuwait on Sunday. It is an advantage for Vietnam to face us.

In their 1-2 loss to Iraq and 2-1 win over Kuwait last week, Vietnam staged a better performance in group coordination, speed, and flexibility. Also, the Vietnamese displayed good defense in the Kuwait match by quickly filling in the gap after losing control of the ball.

I am impressed by two Vietnamese players: Phung Trong Luan (wearing the number 7 jersey) and Ton That Phi (wearing the number 14 jersey). They can make fast attacks along the wings.

Which team will be able to challenge Iran at this tournament?

I think highly of Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Thailand beat Iran in the semifinal round of the 2012 Asian Futsal Championship.

What would be your advice for Vietnam when they target a spot in Asia’s top four and a place in the FIFA Futsal World Cup in the coming time?

The Vietnamese team has made progress. You have qualified coaches Bruno Garcia and Antonio ‘Zego’ Jesus, who are all my friends.

I think Vietnam should focus on organizing the country’s national futsal league to have more good players and on holding international friendly tournaments for players to train and gain experience.

What is the biggest difference in futsal between Spain and Asia?

It is the players’ ability to judge and process situations. Asian players are fast in dribbling the ball but not as fast as South American and Spanish players in judging and processing specific circumstances.

Futsal is a game of speed so the judging and processing capability is very important. That’s why South American futsal is leading the world.

Stage set for Asian Cup draw in Sydney

afc.com
PUBLISHED: 24 MARCH 2014

Sydney: The Sydney Opera House will host one of Asian football’s night of nights – the final draw for the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015, this Wednesday, March 26.

The cream of Asian football talent will descend on Australia next January for Asia’s biggest single-sport event and the biggest football tournament ever staged in Australia.

The draw will determine what route their national teams will need to take to reach the final at Sydney’s Stadium on January 31, 2015.

In terms of mouth-watering match ups in the knock-out stages, the aficionado will be looking to those nations qualified for this year’s FIFA World Cup in Brazil: Australia, Iran, Japan and Korea Republic. Jordan and Uzbekistan were the next two closest to qualifying and should pose problems for their opponents.

The draw for the 16 team-tournament will feature the head coaches of the 15 confirmed sides, with the winner of the AFC Challenge Cup 2014, which takes place in the Maldives in May, making up the final participant.

The 16 teams will be divided into four groups of four teams, with each group playing a one-round league.

There will be four country pots with hosts Australia occupying the A1 position of Pot 1 and the rest of the countries getting their respective positions based on FIFA Ranking announced on 13 March 2014.

The first four top-rank countries will be slotted in Pot 1 and the rest will be slotted in Pot 2, 3 and 4 respectively.

The seedings are as follows:

Pot 1 (teams ranked 1-4): Australia, Iran, Japan, Uzbekistan

Pot 2 (teams ranked 5-8): Korea Republic, UAE, Jordan, Saudi Arabia

Pot 3 (teams ranked 9-12): Oman, China, Qatar, Iraq

Pot 4 (teams ranked 13-16): Bahrain, Kuwait, DPR Korea and Challenge Cup 2014 winners.

The Islamic History of Salvador, the City where Bosnia and Iran will Meet up in the World Cup

mourariaMouraria Neighborhood: name taken from Romans distracted as Muslims

One of the most charming and bohemian neighborhoods of Salvador, Brazil’s third largest city and capital of the state of Bahia, is called Mouraria (the Moorish quarter), a small area full of old houses where there is an army headquarter, some university buildings and many bars. The name inherited from traditional Lisbon neighborhood brings actually a mistake. As explains local historian Cid Teixeira actually the little neighborhood of Salvador, that is just a few meters from the Arena Fonte Nova,  was initially occupied by Romans, who at that time were seen as Muslims.
But they, the Muslims, were here,  brought from Africa as slaves, and in the first half of the nineteenth century almost turned the city , that had been the Brazil’s capital, an independent Islamic republic.

In 1835, Salvador had just over 65,000 inhabitants and 40% of them were slaves (slavery was completely abolished in Brazil in 1888). Adding the mulattoes and free blacks, Afrodescendants reached 78% of the residents. And among the blacks who had achieved freedom through manumission letter provided by their masters, were the “malês”, as they were called Africans who could read and write and who dominated the Arab.

The renowned historian João José Reis, author of “Slave Rebellion in Brazil: The Muslim Uprising of 1835 in Bahia (Taylor & Francis, 1995), explains in his book that most of the slaves sent to city of Salvador in previous years came from the ports of Luanda, Benguela and Cabinda, which currently comprise the territory of Angola. But at the time of the rebellion, 30% of the slaves who lived in Salvador came from the Gulf of Guinea, through the ports of Porto Novo, Lagos and Badagri, the last two of the current Nigeria, (which is coincidentally in the same group of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iran).

forte são marcelo

Forte de São Marcelo, where Malês leaders were detained

Arriving at Bahia, these new slaves were called different names, depending on the language thy spoke. The largest of these groups was formed by Nagôs, that although they were supporters of Orisha worship professed the Muslim faith.

Besides the struggle against slavery, common to all blacks and some whites, nagôs maintained resistance to the imposition of the Catholic faith and to the extent that they could buy their freedom began to meet and discuss strategies for liberation. The nagôs planned a revolt that would explode on January 25, 1835. Under the leadership of Muslims Manuel Calafate, Aprígio, Pai Inácio, bought weapons and wrote their plans in Arabic to avoid detection. But they were betrayed by a black woman who reported their plans to the authorities.

Even with bared plans, the Malês went on the attack against the dominant forces in January, 6. A group of between 600 and 1,500 men (the amount varies in historical documents) faced police and National Guard, who were much more numerous. No one knows exactly what the movement’s leaders had in mind, if only iberation of all black people or the proclamation of independence in relation to Brazil, but some historians see evidence that under the Malês, Bahia could have become an Islamic republic.

Dozens of Malês were killed in combat, four leaders were executed and others were detained at Fort Sea (Forte de São Marcelo, one of the attractions of Salvador). And the Revolt of Malian went down in history as the greatest rebellion led by Muslims in the Americas.

Samba star mulls Iran World Cup adventure.

 AFP
23 March 2014

Former Vasco da Gama and Paraenense striker Eder Luciano, better known as Edinho, moved to Iran in 2008 to play for Mes Kerman. His goalscoring form for the club, founded in 1998, has been such that the Iranians conferred citizenship on him earlier this year.

“I already have my documents so I’d say there is about a 90 per cent chance” of making it into the national team, Edinho, 31, forecast.  “I have been in Iran getting on for eight years,” he told Brazilian sports newspaper Lancenet.

He added it would be special to play a World Cup with anyone — but appearing in Brazil with the Iranians would be particularly so.

 “The chance to play for a national team, the best players in a country, would be really something — be it playing for Iran, Spain, Germany … or Brazil,” he added.

“I shall prepare myself and if the opportunity arises, I’ll be ready,” vowed Edinho, who was playing in the Portuguese second division when the Iranians came calling.

He explained one of the most difficult aspects of adjusting to life in Iran was the food.  “I’ve not been able to adapt to the food here. I bring some over from Brazil whenever I can and so does my wife,” he told Lance.

A friend with experience of the country recommended him and Mes Kerman’s coaches liked what they saw. “When I first got here I wanted to turn round and go back home but I stuck at it and my perseverance was rewarded,” he concluded.

Edinho is in his second spell at the club after a period with UAE side Al Sharjah.

The Iranians, who will be making their fourth World Cup finals appearance, will take on Nigeria, Argentina and Bosnia in Group F.

Nigerian Onazi: Eagles Can Go All The Way In Brazil

 

SS Lazio of Italy midfielder Ogenyi Onazi is confident the Super Eagles can go all the way in Brazil at the FIFA World Cup if the players have self belief.Onazi says the Super Eagles must also be totally focussed on the job at hand instead of concentrating on particular teams, warning that all the qualified teams have the chance to win the trophy.

”No matter how small, we have to accept the fact that all the countries who have qualified to play at the World Cup do have some a chance. Football is an interesting and dicey game. We have to go out with the belief that we can do it,” Onazi said in an interview with mtnfootball.

Onazi is however not worried about playing Argentina who have beaten the Super Eagles three times in three clashes and prefers not to think about how the team prepares for the tournament instead of the competition proper.

”We are going to take it one game at a time. For now, we have some preparatory matches to look forward to before the World Cup. When we get to Brazil, we will worry about Iran, Bosnia and Argentina in that order.”

On if he sees the Super Eagles ending their winless streak against Argentina,Onazi says Eagles must not pay too much attention to the game.

”Like I said, we won’t play Argentina until we are done with both Iran and Bosnia. We have to avoid concentrating on one team alone and forget others that we will even face before Argentina. No doubt, Argentina are a big team and they are favourites, but that’s where it ends.”

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Super Eagles goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama believes that their first two games against Iran and Bosnia-Herzegovina at the 2014 FIFA World Cup would determine how far they would go.

Enyeama who will be making his third appearance at the FIFA World Cup for Nigeria,said that they will not underrate the two teams at the tournament.

Nigeria is in group F and would play their first game against Iran in Curitiba,before subsequent games against Bosnia-Herzegovina,then Argentina.

“Whether Iran, Bosnia and Argentina these are no easy games. All these nations we are facing,are also serious about getting results. But we will see how it goes with the Super Eagles, we will do all our best to progress from the group,” said Enyeama who has this season been the undisputed number one keeper for his clubside,Lille FC.

Enyeama equally noted that he would even want to play against France in the second round of the World Cup.

“I hope of course that we can pass the group stage. And who knows, meet France in the second round,” said Enyeama who was speaking before his side’s trip to AS Monaco

 

Yet another setback for Team Melli!

Tehran.

The Secretary General of the Iranian football federation announced the cancellation of  Team Melli training camp in South Africa. The  camp was arranged by Carlos Queiroz and approved by the federation administration however, it was abruptly cancelled like the last camp that was supposed to be held in Portugal. Team Melli was suppose to play a friendly match in South Africa as well.

In a statement to the press, Mohammad Nabi expressed his regret and disappointment for this cancellation , while reminding Queiroz that the preparation for the World Cup should not be halted by any means (…) !”We will arrange another camp , the site in not known yet , but we need to keep the momentum going and do not stop the Team Melli preparation program. It really does not matter where the camp is , be it in Azadi ,  in the park , or Taleghani avenue or even in Queiroz back garden (…), the schedule is set for the training camp is set and the training will continue.” Mehdi Mohammad Nabi insisted.

“Of course, we have a few players playing abroad. I will personally travel to those countries and request the players to join the camp even if we have to pay the penalties for their absence.” Mohammad Nabi boasted.

Team Melli camp is set to start on the 11th of April 2014. The location is not known, but it is highly doubtful if Queiroz back-garden can accommodate about 30 players and the coaching staff that was suggested by Mohammad Nabi.

 

 

 

 

 

Reza Ghoochannejhad joins Charlton Athletics.

Charlton have completed the signings of Standard Liege striker Reza Ghoochannejhad and Ujpest right-back Loic Nego for undisclosed fees.

Iran forward Ghoochannejhad, 26, has agreed a deal until the summer of 2016.

Frenchman Nego, 23, has signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with the Championship club.

Both Belgian side Liege and Hungarian outfit Ujpest are owned by Roland Duchatelet, the businessman who took over the Addicks earlier this month.

Reza Ghoochannejhad

“He is hard-working and he likes to get in the areas to score goals, so we need him to do that straight away”

Charlton manager Chris Powell on Reza Goochannejhad

The pair take the number of January signings by Charlton to five, with the previous three, midfielder Astrit Ajdarevic, goalkeeperYohann Thuram-Ulien and winger Anil Koc, also coming from Belgian side Standard Liege.

Ghoochannejhad began his senior career in the Netherlands with Heerenveen and subsequently had spells with Go Ahead Eagles, Cambuur and Belgian side STVV – another side owned by Belgian millionaire Duchatelet.

He joined Standard Liege in January 2013 and has made eight appearances this season, with seven of those coming in the Europa League.

Having represented the Netherlands at youth international level, he made his debut for Iran in 2012 and has won a total of 10 caps, scoring eight goals.

Charlton boss Chris Powell said the arrival of Ghoochannejhad, who is expected to feature for his country at the World Cup in Brazil this summer, will boost his forward line.

 

Charlton manager Chris Powell told his club’s official website: “He has scored goals at different levels in Belgium and Holland.

“He has signed as a permanent and he comes into the stable of strikers. We haven’t scored enough goals this season and we have to boost that area.

“He is hard-working and he likes to get in the areas to score goals, so we need him to do that straight away.

“He has got pace and wins fouls, which you want to happen – especially in the attacking third. He has decent link-up play, but he wants to get in the box and in that regard you have to give him the service and create more chances.”

The transfer of Gucci to Charlton is like a double edge sword.  The Team Melli forward would be quite relieved to leave a team where he had no future and the coach was adamant not to include him in his plan. While he will get much better opportunities in London, however , Chartlon is struggling close to the bottom of the league and is under real threat of relegation to the third tier of English league.

 

Esteghlal stars exodus continues, Ando wants out!

 

Andranik Teymourian announced  he wants to leave the Persian Gulf League leader , Esteghlal.

In the wake of Midfield Dynamo Mojtaba  Jabbari , Team Melli Captain Javad Nekounam  and Defender Pejman Montazzeri , Andranik “Ando” Teymourian will be the fourth Esteghlal superstar / Team Melli player to leave the club. Although the reasons behind his intentions are not clearly defined in his request to leave, it is assumed that financial problems and payment arrears by the club is a major reason.

Teymourian has been doing well with his club Esteghlal which he re-joined after a stint in the Qatar league.  Despite the internal disputes within the blues of Tehran, and the money issues, Esteghlal has been leading the table and showing good quality of football. Teymourian , uncharacteristically has played some rough football recently which lead to his one match ban by the FFIRI. His recent demeanor and clashes with opponents and referees was perhaps an early sign that Ando was unsettled in Esteghlal. With only a few months to go to the World Cup , a number of players are on their way to change clubs which could have a negative effect on their form.

A spokesman for Esteghlal club has insisted that the Club CEO , Fathollahzade , is adamant to keep Ando in Esteghlal and will not let him go. Then Again, he said the same thing about the other stars who left,except for Jabbari who was an antagonist of Fathollazadeh.

 

Steven Beitashour to Vancouver Whaitecaps.

Whitecaps acquire all-star Steven Beitashour from Earthquakes

Steven Beitashour (left) defends against Vancouver Whitecaps forward Omar Salgado during a May 2012 Major League Soccer game at BC Place Stadium. Beitashour, an MLS all-star in 2012, was acquired by the Whitecaps in a trade on Monday.

Photograph by: Les Bazso , PNG

VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Whitecaps took a huge step on Monday in filling the right fullback vacancy left by the retired Y.P. Lee, acquiring all-star defender Steven Beitashour from the San Jose Earthquakes in exchange for allocation money.

“Steven is arguably the best right back in the league,” Whitecaps head coach Carl Robinson said in a statement. “He is fantastic on the defensive side of the ball and his ability to join the attack will make him a great addition to our club.”

The soon-to-be 27-year-old Beitashour (his birthday is on Saturday) was a Major League all-star at right back in the league’s 2012 all-star game. He has recorded more assists than any other MLS defender over the last three seasons.

“I’m very excited about this new opportunity,” Beitashour said in a statement. “Whitecaps FC are an excellent club with fantastic supporters and a great stadium. From what I’ve seen the last few years and from my conversations with the coaching staff, this club is heading in the right direction. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone and I can’t wait for our home opener on March 8 against the Red Bulls.”

Beitashour was taken in the second round (30th overall) of the 2010 MLS SuperDraft by the Earthquakes and spent four seasons in the Bay Area. While born in San Jose, he is of Iranian heritage and may well represent that country at this summer’s World Cup in Brazil.

In the meantime, he will be an immediate fix for a position left vacant by the retiring Lee, a former South Korean international who was a standout at right back for the past two seasons