Category: World Cup 2018

Julen Lopetegui “Iran a fierce rival for Spain”

Head coach of Spain National Football Team Julen Lopetegui describes Iran’s national team as a fierce rival for his team during the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Lopetegui says he and his assistants have gained a good knowledge of the Iranian national team and its head coach.

Speaking to IRNA’s correspondent in Madrid, Lopetegui s`aid Iran’s head coach Carlos Queiroz has been working with Team Melli for many years, and during these years, Queiroz has launched an interesting plan for the country’s football which has led to significant growth of the team in technical areas.

He went on to say that the Iranian national football team has a great sense of belonging which prompts its players to work within a regular plan. “This has led to a competing sense among them and this will put us in trouble during our competition.”

Head coach of Spain went on to say that Iran also has the experience of attending world cups in the past and performed well during those competitions. “Iran has made great progress in football over the past years and will emerge as a fierce rival for Spain.”

Iran’s national football team is in Istanbul to hold a training camp in the country. The team will face Turkey football team on May 29 in a friendly match as part of its preparation for the 2018 World Cup.

The Team Melli has been drawn in Group B of the 2018 World Cup along with Morocco, Spain and Portugal.

It will open the campaign with a match against Morocco at Saint Petersburg on June 15. Team Melli will later face Spain in Kazan on 20 June before meeting Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in Saransk five days later.

The matches of the 2018 World Cup will be held between June 14 and July 15 at 12 stadiums.

Spain announces their squad for the World Cup 2018.

 Such is the abundance of talent available to Julen Lopetegui, that the Spanish boss has been able to omit a number of high profile players from his squad for this summer’s tournament in Russia.

High profile players left out the squad

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Premier League fans will be interested to hear that a number of players that ply their trade in the English top-flight will not be with La Roja this summer. Chelsea quarter Marcos Alonso, Pedro, Cesc Fabregas and Alvaro Morata have all missed out on the 23-man squad.

Manchester United counterparts Ander Herrera and Juan Mata join the Blues players in being snubbed by the Spanish boss, while unsurprisingly Arsenal full-back Hector Bellerin will miss out too. Barcelona’s highly-rated utility man Sergi Roberto will fell hard done by not to be on the plane, though.

Big decisions in attack

In terms of quality, Lopetegui is spoilt for choice, just like his France, Brazil and German counterparts. He can only name 23 players in his squad, while are likely to be players who have missed out that the Spanish boss will have wanted to take, but just could not fit into the squad. The Spanish bosses’ attacking selections are interesting.

The exclusion of Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata was particularly noticeable, as the Chelsea striker had been La Roja’s first choice forward at Euro 2016. Morata has endured a difficult for first season in English football, scoring just 11 Premier League goals after a big money summer move from Real Madrid.

Spain does not have a great deal of choice in the central striking department. Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa is back in the squad but has struggled for form with La Roja. The home-based players like Iago Aspas and Rodrigo have both been in good form this season for Celta Vigo and Valencia, scoring 22 and 16 respectively in La Liga. However, both have question marks over their quality at international level.

One of the favourites to win the World Cup

The sheer quality in La Roja’s squad makes Spain one of the favourites to win the World Cup. In the last decade or so, they have been there or thereabouts when it comes to challenging for the big titles.

La Roja seems strong in every area of the pitch, so they should definitely go far in the competition. Lopetegui’s side kick-off their World Cup campaign with a tough game against neighbours and European champions Portugal on 15th May. On paper, it is the Spaniards tough game of the group, with Iran and Morocco the other two teams in Group B.

Whatever squad the Julen Lopetegui picked, Spain were always going to one of the teams to watch. The players in La Roja’s squad have the potential to go all the way. Only time will tell if they will become world champions for the second time.

Spain squad for 2018 World Cup:

Goalkeepers: David de Gea (Manchester United), Pepe Reina (Napoli), Kepa Arrizabalaga (Atletico Bilbao)

Defenders: Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid) , Alvaro Odriozola (Real Sociedad), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Nacho (Real Madrid), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Nacho Monreal (Arsenal)

Midfielders: Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Saul (Atletico Madrid), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Thiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), David Silva (Manchester City)

Forwards: Isco (Real Madrid), Sergio Asensio (Real Madrid), Lucas Vazquez (Real Madrid), Iago Aspas (Celta Vigo), Rodrigo (Valancia), Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid)

Has Julen Lopetegui chosen the correct squad for the World Cup?

Turkey Squad trimmed to 24 players.

Team Melli will be flying to Istanbul on Monday to commence a long training camp which includes a match against Turkey in Istanbul.

Carlos Queiroz short-listed the initial 35 man selection to 24 players.

 

The two most notable ommisions are that of Vouria Ghafouri and Team Capt. Seyed Jalal Hosseini. As it happens, the two players are having one of their best seasons with club and country, Ghafoori in particular has been not short of brilliant dependable and solid defender.

Steven Beitashour , without even turning up for the camp has also been dropped.

Queiroz has up to June 4th to send the final 23 players for the World Cup to the organizing committee. The players who have missed the Istanbul trip, may still be included, but it is unlikely.

 

Istanbul Squad

 

# Player Post Club Country

GOALKEEPERS
1 ABEDZADEH, Amir GK C.S. Marítimo
2 BIRANVAND, Alireza GK Persepolis
3 MAZAHERI, Mohammad Rashid GK Zob Ahan

DEFENDERS
4 CHESHMI, Rouzbeh DF Esteghlal
5 HOSSEINI, Majeed DF Esteghlal
6 KHANZADEH, Mohammadreza DF Padidah
7 MOHAMMADI, Milad DF Terek Grozny
8 MONTAZERI, Pejman DF Esteghlal
9 POURALIGANJI, Morteza DF Al Sadd
10 REZAEIAN, Ramin DF K.V. Oostende

MIDFIELD
11 AMIRI, Vahid MF Persepolis
12 DEJAGAH, Ashkan MF Nottingham Forest
13 EBRAHIMI, Omid MF Esteghlal
14 EZZATOLLAHI, Saeid MF Amkar Perm
15 GHODDOS, Saman FW Östersunds FK
16 HAJSAFY, Ehsan MF Panionios FC
17 SHOJAEI, Masoud MF AEK Athens
18 TORABI, Mehdi MF Saipa Alborz

FORWARDS
19 ANSARIFARD, Karim FW Olympiacos F.C.
20 AZMOUN, Sardar FW Rubin Kazan
21 GHOLIZADEH, Ali FW Saipa Alborz
22 GHOOCHANNEJAD, Reza FW SC Heerenveen
23 JAHANBAKHSH, AliReza FW AZ Alkmaar
24 TAREMI, Mehdi FW Al Gharrafah

The Lethal Weapon : JAHANBAKHSH

This has been a landmark week for Asian and Middle Eastern football in Europe. While the whole world focused on the US pulling out of the Iran nuclear deal, in Holland, another Iranian “lethal weapon” was making headlines.

On Sunday, Alireza Jahanbakhsh – the Iranian winger of AZ Alkmaar – scored a hat-trick in his team’s 6-0 victory over FC Zwolle on the final matchday of the Dutch Eredivise season.

Aside the fact that it was Jahanbakhsh’s second hat-trick in his past three matches, these three goals left him as the top goal-scorer in Holland.

The 24-year-old has scored 21 goals, made 12 assists, completed 78 key passes and 111 successful dribbles in 2017/2018 – in what has arguably been the best ever season for an Iranian footballer in Europe. Jahanbakhsh becomes the first Asian player to become top scorer in a major European league.

No other famous Iranian footballer – including Ali Daei, Mehdi Mahadivikia or Ali Karimi – had such a statistical feat in one European season, hinting that the young Jirandeh-born striker might be on his way to becoming one of the greatest Iranian footballers of all time.

Carlos Queiroz and his Iranian national team will now get a top forward in top form for the World Cup, and Jahanbakhsh has been linked with few notable clubs in Europe – with Italian side Napoli reported to be the favourite to add the young starlet to their squad.

Jahanbakhsh is part of a wider range of talented Iranian prospects that have made their mark in European teams in the past season.

Karim Ansarifard of Olympiakos in Greece notched up 17 goals this season; Heerenveen’s Reza Ghoochannejhad scored 10 for the Dutch club; Kaveh Rezaei contributed 16 goals for Charleroi in Belgium; and Saman Ghoddos – who was a key figure in Ostersunds’ Europa League run – finished with nine goals and five assists for the Swedish side.

With the return of Masoud Shojaei to the Iran squad, even if not in an active role on the pitch, and Sardar Azmoun – who will play at his club town of Kazan against Spain – the Iranians have a few fantastic reasons to be optimistic for the forthcoming summer in Russia.

Scandalous Saudi 

Fahad al-Mirdasi, a Saudi referee lined up to take part in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, has been removed from duty for Saturday’s Saudi King’s Cup.

He has been referred to investigating authorities – after it was alleged he contacted the president of one finalist requesting payments. British referee Mark Clattenburg, also the head of the Saudi officials’ association, will be calling the King’s Cup Final instead of Al-Miradsi, whose career is in tatters over with reports of recorded phone calls indicating cash payments, team numbers and games in which he was involved in illegal activity.

The story continues to develop, and analysts say more murky details of the management of Saudi football are likely to emerge in the coming weeks.

The case of this Saudi referee uncovers a long line of corrupt politics in football in the Arabian Middle East countries. High stakes and the ruling families immense influence in football, has dragged the beautiful game in disrepute and there is nowhere that this is more evident than the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

No one exactly knows how many games and referees have been bought for certain, but only the naive or those who benefit from such corrupt act will deny the existing of referees for sale in Saudi Arabia. It goes beyond offering money to buy games, threats have been used against those who dare to refuse or speak up. Many Saudi critics talk about the Englishman Mark Clattenburg , who himself was not immune from controversy in England, as the first step towards fighting favoritism, nepotism and corruption in Saudi football. The re-building will take years but the mere fact that the story about Fahad al-Mirdasi has made the media , is in itself a progress in this despot regime and police state.

Narrow win for Team Melli against Uzbekistan

Team Melli defeated Uzbekistan 1-0 in front of disappointing number of fans in Azadi Stadium on Saturday. The goal was scored in the 17th minute by Esteghlal’s defender Rouzbeh Cheshmi from a beautiful header following a corner by Ehsan Haj Safy, to register his goal first with the National Team.

Queiroz opted for an experimental line up with two debutants included , Amir Ahmadzadeh in goal and Majeed Hosseini in defence. The rest of the line up was a mixture of players.

On the other hand, Uzbekistan selected a very mew look team after the disappointment of not making the World Cup while being so close, for the third time running. The young team. coached by ex-National Team Captain Timur Kapadze gave the more experienced Iranians a run for their money. the goalkeeper Botirali Ergashev who has left Pakhtakor in February to join Navbahor , was absolutely brilliant in Uzbekistan goal.

On the other end, many eyes were focused on Amir Abedzadeh who plays in the Portuguese league and has the legacy of his father on his shoulder. Abedzadeh junior , did not disappoint although he played one half only. Signs that Carlos Queiroz is not happy with the standard of current no 1 , Alireza Biranvand was confirmed as he sent Hossein Hosseini in the second half.  Biranvand has been a liability with Persepolis recently and his performance has made many observers nervous and skeptical about him guarding the goals in Russia.

Team Melli revealed the official Jersey supplied by Adidas.

In general, it was a good practise for the team , with the Saipa pair Gholizadeh and Torabi playing really well and making a strong case for themselves for a place in the final squad. The only real worry is the poor finishing at the front. Although all the main offensive players and the fire-power of Ansarifard, Taremi and Ghoochannejad were playing, their performance was lacklustre and not oozing with confidence. They also failed to score in front of the young Uzbek team creating little threat.

Team Melli will be leaving Tehran on Monday after meeting the President Dr. Rouhani , on a long training camp starting with a trip to Istanbul were they will continue preparing with a friendly against Turkey.

Morocco announces FIFA World Cup 2018 squad

Morocco coach Herve Renard announced a provisional list of 23 players and three reserves that will make up the North African team, who return to the World Cup for the first time since 1998.

The team will begin their preparation in Rabat on 24 May before taking part in three warm-up matches, prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™.

Renard’s Atlas Lions will play Ukraine on 31 May and Slovakia on 4 June (both games in Geneva, Switzerland) before taking on Estonia in Tallinn on 9 June.

Morocco’s match schedule at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

All squads are provisional until the final list of 23 players is announced by FIFA, following their submission by participating teams, on 4 June.

Morocco provisional squad

Goalkeepers: Mounir El Kajoui (Numancia, Spain), Yassine Bounou (Girona, Spain), Ahmad Reda Tagnaouti (Ittihad Tanger);

Defenders: Mehdi Benatia (Juventus, Italy), Romain Saiss (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England), Manuel Da Costa (Basaksehir, Turkey), Badr Benoun (Raja Casablanca), Nabil Dirar (Fenerbahce, Turkey), Achraf Hakimi (Real Madrid, Spain), Hamza Mendyl (Lille, France);

Midfielders: M’bark Boussoufa (Al Jazira, UAE), Karim El Ahmadi (Feyenoord, Netherlands), Youssef Ait Bennasser (Caen, France), Sofyan Amrabat (Feyenoord, Netherlands), Younes Belhanda (Galatasaray, Turkey), Faycal Fajr (Getafe, Spain), Amine Harit (Schalke, Germany);

Forwards: Khalid Boutaib (Malatyaspor, Turkey), Aziz Bouhaddouz (St. Pauli, Germany), Ayoub El Kaabi (Renaissance Berkane), Nordin Amrabat (Leganes, Spain), Mehdi Carcela (Standard de Liege, Belgium), Hakim Ziyech (Ajax, Netherlands)

Portugal announce FIFA World Cup 2018 Russia preliminary squad

18 May 2018

Portugal coach Fernando Santos released the preliminary 23-man squad ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup and has excluded no less than 10 players involved in their triumphant Euro 2016 campaign.

Led by Real Madrid captain Cristiano Ronaldo, Santos has made a few big calls ahead of the global showpiece in Russia next month.

Former Manchester United winger Nani and FC Barcelona’s Nelson Semedo are among the high-profile names excluded, while the goalscoring hero of Euro 2016, Eder, failed to make the cut.

Another Barcelona player Andre Gomes and 2016 European Golden Boy award winner Renato Sanches are notable absentees.

 

Portugal squad:

Goalkeepers: Anthony Lopes (Lyon), Beto (Goztepe), Rui Patricio (Sporting CP).

Defenders: Bruno Alves (Rangers), Cedric Soares (Southampton), Jose Fonte (Dalian Yifang), Mario Rui (Napoli), Pepe (Besiktas), Raphael Guerreiro (Dortmund), Ricardo Pereira (FC Porto), Ruben Dias (Benfica).

Midfielders: Adrien Silva (Leicester City), Bruno Fernandes (Sporting CP), Joao Mario (West Ham), Joao Moutinho (Monaco), Manuel Fernandes (Lokomotiv), William Carvalho (Sporting CP).

Forwards: Andre Silva (Milan), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Gelson Martins (Sporting CP), Goncalo Guedes (Valencia), Ricardo Quaresma (Besiktas).

Ali Karimi out of Team Melli squad for the World Cup

Ali Karimi , Team Melli player is the first casualty of Team Melli for the FIFA World Cup 2018 Russia

The Sepahan Esfahan midfield player suffered a back injury during training and was declared as unable to continue training for some time and is definite to miss the squad to Russia.

Karimi was in the first group of 35 players announced by Queiroz and had a fairly good chance to make the final 23 players list but he has fallen a victim of the injury a day before the team meets Uzbekistan for a friendly match in Azadi Stadium in preparation for the World Cup.

Portugal name preliminary squads

Portugal coach Fernando Santos has submitted a 35-man preliminary squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™.

There are 11 names in the 35 who made the final squad for Brazil 2014, including The Best FIFA Men’s Player Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Alves, Nani and William. 19 of the 35 were also named in the final 23 for last year’s FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia.

Two of the preliminary list – Eder and Manuel Fernandes – play their club football in Russia at Lokomotiv Moscow. If the pair make the final squad, they will likely feel right at home when Portugal head to the Luzhniki Stadium in Russia’s capital on 20 June for their second Group B game against Morocco.

A Seleção das Quinas will also face Spain (15 June, in Sochi) and Iran (25 June, in Saransk) in their Russia 2018 pool.

All squads are provisional until the final list of 23 players is announced by FIFA, following their submission by participating teams, on 4 June.

Portugal squad

Goalkeepers: Anthony Lopes (Olympique Lyonnais/France), Beto (Goztepe SK/Turkey), Rui Patricio (Sporting CP)

Defenders: Antunes (Getafe/Spain), Bruno Alves (Rangers/Scotland), Cedric (Southampton/England), Joao Cancelo (Internazionale/Italy), Jose Fonte (Dalian Aerbin/China PR), Luis Neto (Fenerbahce/Turkey), Mario Rui (Napoli/Italy), Nelson Semedo (Barcelona/Spain), Pepe (Besiktas/Turkey), Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund/Germany), Ricardo (Porto), Rolando (Marseille/France), Ruben Dias (Benfica)

Midfielders: Adrien Silva (Leicester City/England), Andre Gomes (Barcelona/Spain), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City/England), Bruno Fernandes (Sporting CP), Joao Mario (West Ham United/England), Joao Moutinho (Monaco/France), Manuel Fernandes (Lokomotiv Moscow/Russia), Rony Lopes (Monaco), Ruben Neves (Wolverhampton Wanderers/England), Sergio Oliveira (Porto), William (Sporting CP)

Forwards: Andre Silva (AC Milan/Italy), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid/Spain), Eder (Lokomotiv Moscow/Russia), Gelson Martins (Sporting CP), Goncalo Guedes (Valencia/Spain), Nani (Lazio/Italy), Paulinho (Braga), Ricardo Quaresma (Besiktas/Turkey)