Category: World Cup 2018

Kudos to Team Melli. Iran to the World Cup 2018

A glorious goal by Mehdi Taremi in the dying minutes of  the match put the icing on the cake for Team Melli after Sardar Azmoun scored midway in the first half. Taremi finished it in style for Team Melli to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2018 in Russia.

Team Melli defeated Uzbekistan 2-0 in a near capacity Azadi stadium in a historic day for Iranian football.

The match was historic in several ways. It is the first time in history Iran has qualified to the FIFA World Cup back to back since 1974 edition.

It is also the first time that a coach has taken Team Melli to two World Cup finals twice.

After 8 match in the qualifiers Team Melli is yet to concede a goal.

It is the earliest ever , one full year ,   for Team Melli to qualify for the World Cup. There are still two matches left, the final one at home against Syria in September.

 

Iran’s Sardar Azmoun celebrates his goal with fans during their Asian Cup quarter-final soccer match against Iraq at the Canberra stadium in Canberra January 23, 2015. REUTERS/Tim Wimborne (AUSTRALIA – Tags: SOCCER SPORT)
Picture Supplied by Action Images

Iran seek qualification for world Cup 2018

  • Iran will book qualification for Russia 2018 with a home victory
  • Japan can establish a three-point lead in Group B if they prevail 
  • Both Thailand and Iraq will play for nothing but pride

Asia’s qualifing for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ is approaching its first watershed moment with Iran in sight of reaching the global finals. A victory at home against third-placed Uzbekistan will be enough to send Carlos Queiroz’s Team Melli through to join qualified Brazil and hosts Russia at next year’s extravaganza. Korea Republic, meanwhile, travel to Qatar targeting three points with their sights fixed at a potential second qualifying spot from Group A.

In Group B, Japan arrive at Tehran to take Iraq knowing that an away victory will move them three points clear of arch-rivals Saudi Arabia and Australia, both of whom are level on points. Trailing the giant trio by seven points, United Arab Emirates face a must-win scenario if they are to maintain their slim hopes of a play-off place. Join FIFA.com as we take a closer look at the upcoming action across Asia.

The match
Iran-Uzbekistan, Azadi Stadium, Tehran, 21:15 local time

The importance of the match needs no explanation for the hosts, who can progress to Russia 2018 with three points. Carlos Queiroz’s side will look to both their home support and dominant head-to-head record against the visitors which has seen them win five of the seven past meetings. The Uzbeks can take heart from their only victory against Iran, which was a solitary-goal away victory at Tehran at the same stage on the road to Brazil 2014. Samvel Babayan’s side are motivated by the potential of leapfrogging the Taeguk Warriors into the section’s second place with a victory.

Both sides enter the match in winning form. Uzbekistan defeated Thailand by 2-0 in a recent friendly while Iran beat Montenegro by the same scoreline with hotshot forward Sardar Azmoun grabbing a brace. Uzbekistan will count on veteran Alexander Geynrikh to continue his super-sub role while in-form Odil Ahmedov remains the man skippering the side.

The other attractions
Also in Group A, Korea Republic arrive in Doha hoping to prolong their undefeated qualifying record against hosts Qatar, having won three and drawn one from the past four meetings. Coach Uli Stielike has called back former AFC Player of the Year Lee Keunho to enhance their potency up front and the visitors will hope to pick the brain of midfielder Nam Taehee for some insider information, who recently earned the Qatar FA Player of the Year award for helping Lekhwiya to their fifth Qatari league title.

Syria entertain China PR in Malaysia aiming to cut the gap to Uzbekistan. The West Asian side will be keen to replicate their 1-0 win against the Chinese in the return game in October. However, they must make do without top striker Omar Kharbin who is ruled out through injury. The visitors, under Marcello Lippi, enter the game with their sights firmly fixed at three points, but their growing injury list sees both striker Yu Dabao and captain Zheng Zhi absent.

Iran’s Reza Ghoochannejhad (R) celebrates with teammate Soroush Rafiei after scoring a goal against UAE during their Asian Cup Group C soccer match at the Brisbane Stadium in Brisbane January 19, 2015. REUTERS/Edgar Su (AUSTRALIA – Tags: SOCCER SPORT)

Things in Group B look even tighter after Australia edged Saudi Arabia 3-2 in Adelaide on Thursday. The result confirmed the elimination of Iraq and moved the Socceroos level with both Japan and Saudi Arabia on points. The competition may become harder with three games left but Japan, leading on goal difference, are all too aware that they can establish a three-point cushion at the summit with a victory against Iraq. 

Elsewhere, UAE arrive in Bangkok knowing they must win to realistically keep their hopes of reaching Russia alive. The visitors have boasted a dominant head-to-head record with four wins out of five, including prevailing 3-1 at home in the first-leg meeting. An away victory may look within the UAE’s grasp but they will underestimate the Thais at their peril, considering they conceded three unanswered goals in the same Rajamangala Stadium on the road to Germany 2006.

Did you know?
Iraq and Thailand, both from Group B, are already eliminated with three matches left.

What they said
“We lead our group, we have no defeats and we conceded no goals. However, we are not yet in the place we want. Our game is not over yet. If we want to succeed, there is one price to pay. Victories never come cheap. In this moment, only full sacrifice will take Team Melli to the place we all dream of,” Carlos Queiroz, Iran head coach.

Matchday 8 fixtures
12 and 13 June

Group A:
Qatar-Korea Republic
Iran-Uzbekistan
Syria-China PR

Group B:
Australia 3-2 Saudi Arabia (8 June)
Iraq-Japan
Thailand-United Arab Emirates

Alireza Jahanbakhsh closing

Jahanbakhsh came off the bench in all three of his side’s Group F games but a scoreless draw with Nigeria was followed by a last-gasp 1-0 defeat to Argentina and a 3-1 loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina as Team Melli exited at the first hurdle.

The experience, though, proved invaluable for the forward, who has since go on to become one of the leading lights in a side that is now only a home win against Uzbekistan on Monday away from qualifying for the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018.  “It was unbelievably great, I went to the World Cup and I was the youngest player in the Iran squad,” recalled AZ Alkmaar player Jahanbakhsh, who joined Dutch Eredivisie outfit NEC prior to the Brazil tournament when he was just 19-years-old.

Jahanbakhsh on development in Holland

“I was really happy to be there because I could learn a lot and see what the big players did against Argentina. I was looking at their movement and all the things they were doing so I could bring it to my game. “It was a great experience to play at the World Cup after training for six months with the national team, it couldn’t be better than that as it was an opportunity to show my skills and potential.”

Almost three years on since making their fourth appearance at the global showpiece, Iran stand on the brink of advancing to successive FIFA World Cups for the first time in their history.

Four points ahead of Korea Republic at the top of Group A and five ahead of Monday’s opponents with three games to play, Team Melli will secure their place at next year’s tournament if they claim all three points in front of a packed Azadi Stadium.

And, under the stewardship of long-term coach Carlos Queiroz, Jahanbakhsh is keen to point out the influence the Portuguese has had on a squad that is looking to lead their country to a fifth FIFA World Cup.  “He plays the main role in our team and his experience is unbelievably good,” said Jahanbakhsh.

“When you see the results we have got in the last couple of games, of course all the people in Iran are happy with him. The players also have a really good relationship with him and he makes things easy for us.

“These are the things that make him different from other coaches; we are very happy to work for him and hopefully we will keep him for a longer time.”

After starting his senior career with Parseh Tehran, Jahanbakhsh was spotted early and signed for NEC in the summer of 2013, a year after leading his country to the last eight of the 2012 AFC U-19 Championship in China, a tournament where he starred alongside Russia-based forward Sardar Azmoun.

Two successful seasons with NEC followed before, amid reported interest from clubs across Europe, the midfielder opted to stay in the Netherlands and joined AZ Alkmaar. Four years on since making the move to Europe, Jahanbakhsh is integral for both club and country in a career that is undoubtedly on an upward trajectory. “Holland is a country where you can grow up as a footballer,” noted Jahanbakhsh. “The focus they have on the players and the way they work with the players, especially young talented ones, is unbelievably good.

“They have everything to help you achieve your goals, so when I got the offer from NEC I didn’t think, I just moved there and tried to integrate myself into the country and culture.

“Two years ago I moved to AZ Alkmaar. It’s such a good club, always in the top four or five in Holland, so for developing as a young player it’s great. “When you have goals and you have people around who help you to achieve your ambitions that makes you really happy.”

Jahanbakhsh has played in six of Iran’s seven qualifying games to date, scoring the second in a 2-0 victory over Qatar last September, as his country have remained unbeaten and yet to concede.

And while goals have been hard to come by – Team Melli have scored just six in seven games – the threat upfront is undeniable with Persepolis hitman Mehdi Taremi and Rostov’s Azmoun, who moved to Europe just a few months before Jahanbakhsh.

“I’ve known him for five or six years, we played together for the under-19s and have always been good friends, close friends,” he added. “We are always chilling together, having fun with the national team. We grew up together as players and the last few years we have been in the first team of the national team. “He’s been doing very well; he moved to Russia and has scored important goals for his club, even in the UEFA Champions League.

“We have a really young squad with a combination of experienced players and that is what makes the Iran national team and why we are one of the strongest in Asia.”

Iran vs. Uzbekistan : Match review

 The match on Monday against Uzbekistan will be the stepping stone for Qualification to FIFA World Cup 2018 in Russia. Team Melli needs the 3 points to qualify with two matches in hand however; it will be facing a tough and none-yielding opponent who has aspirations of their own.

Since the independence of Uzbekistan from the Soviet Union back in 1991 , Iran and Uzbekistan played 7 matches with Iran winning 5 and the Uzbek one only. Ironically, that solitary win for Uzbekistan was registered in Azadi stadium.

Apart from the first ever encounter between the two teams during the Asian Games 1998 in Bangkok, where Iran trounced Uzbekistan 4-0 , the rest of the matches were mostly quite close affairs with one goal difference. In the current qualification rounds of World Cup, both teams started strongly with Uzbekistan being perfect after 2 matches, Iran stuttering against China. The teams then met in Tashkent on matchday 3

Jalal Hosseini scored the only goal of the match and thus Iran never looked back with Uzbekistan playing catch up in the next 4 rounds.

In Matchday 8, even if Uzbekistan wins, it cannot catch Iran up but it will be a tremendous boost for the central Asian nation towards clinching on of the spots for the qualifiers.

Team News Iran

Iran played a friendly game away to Montenegro at the end of a 10 days training camp held in Austria. Despite the host nation’s control on majority of the possession , Team Melli managed to defeat the European opponent 2-1 with a brace from the resurgent Sardar Azmoun. It is important to mention that half of Team Melli players were not available or not used for that match.

Injury List Iran

With all the players available, Queiroz continued  the camp in Tehran with his full contingent. The only scare was Ashkab Dejagah , but now he is fully recoverd from Injury.

Team news Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan preparation culminated in a friendly match against Thailand in Bunyodkor stadium “, Tashkent. With Iranian analyst in presence to note the Uzbek team game plan, the Head coach of Uzbekistan Samvel Babayan fielded a weakened team in the hope of misleading the Iranian analysts. However, Uzbekistan played poorly and the crowds were disappointed by the form of their team while Thailand was simply content with clearing the ball.  

Despite that , the most best chances of scoring were  created by the guests who are in foot of the table in their qualifying group and has lost all chances of qualifying.

Much changed after the break after substitutions were made. Samvel Babayan returned the team to full strength and finally won that match 2-0.  There was causality in this match as midfielder Marat Bikmaev was injured and was forced to leave in the 52nd minute of the game

Uzbekistan National Football team

Injury List Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan Attacking midfielder Marat Bikmaev will miss the match due to injury. The “Locomotive” midfielder sustain injury in a friendly match versus Thailand (2-0), the player was forced to leave in the 52nd minute of the game

According to the preliminary results of the medical examination, Marat Bikmaev will not have time to recover to the qualifying round match against Iran. In addition, another player Davron Hashimov, will also miss the match in Iran due to injury.

Earlier it was reported that due to injuries, the following players could not be available for matches against Thailand and Iran : Vitali Denisov (Lokomotiv Moscow), Islom Tukhtakhodzhaev (Lokomotiv Tashkent) and Alexander Merzlyakov (Kokand-1912).

It is not clear if any of the above will recover in time for the Monday Match.

 

[frame]IRAN vs. UZBEKISTAN[/frame]

 

Venue Matches W D L Goals + / –
Home 1 0 0 1 0 – 1 -1
Away 4 3 1 0 3 – 0 +3
Neutral 2 2 0 0 6 – 1 +5
Total 7 5 1 1 9 – 2 +7

Injury List

Date Comp. venue Final score Stadium Attendance
06.10.2016 WC Qualifier A 1 – 0 Stadion Bunyodkor (Tashkent) 34,000
11.06.2015 Friendly A 1 – 0 Metropolitan Stadium, Tashkent  
14.11.2012 WC Qualifier H 0 – 1 Azadi Stadium , Tehran 40,000
03.06.2012 WC Qualifier A 1 – 0 JAR Stadium -Tashkent 9,000
05.09.2009 Friendly A 0 – 0 Tashkent / Pakhtakor 9,500
11.07.2007 Asian Cup N 2 – 1 National Stadium Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur 3,000
14.12.1998 Asian Games N 4 – 0 Suphachalasai, Bangkok  

The Squad to face Uzbekistan announced

The Iranian Football Federation announced the list of 26 player which Carlos Queiroz has picked for the match against Uzbekistan.

The squad, already in camp in Austria, will face Montenegro in a friendly international match before the vital against the Uzbek team which in itself is looking for a win in the hope of clinching a place in next year’s World Cup 2018.

Not a single player from Esteghlal was selected for the team, which is not too surprising after the humiliating defeat by the blue team against Al Ain in the AFC champions league match.

The squad will be trimmed to 23 players for the match according to FIFA regulations governing the competition. The inclusion of Ehsan Pahlavi is the squad is a fresh sign on Queiroz intent to create competition for places in the team.

 

 

 

GOALKEEPERS
AKHBARI, Mohammad Reza Tractorsazi
BIRANVAND, Alireza Persepolis
LAK, Hamed Saipa
MAZAHERI, Mohammad Rashid Zob Ahan
DEFENDERS
AGHAEI, Saeed Tractorsazi
ANSARI, Mohammad Persepolis
HOSSEINI, Jalal Persepolis
MAHINI, Hossein Persepolis
MONTAZERI, Pejman  Al Ahli (QAT)
MOHAMMADI, Milad  Grozny (RUS)
POURALIGANJI, Morteza  Al Sadd (QAT)
REZAEIAN, Ramin  no team
MIDFIELD
DEJAGAH, Ashkan Wolfsburg (GER)
EZATOLLAHEI, Saeed  Enzhi  (RUS)
HAJSAFY, Ehsan  Sepahan
KARIMI, Ali  Locomotive (CRO)
POURGHAZ, Ezzatollah  Saipa
SHOJAEI, Masoud  Pananios (GRE)
FORWARDS
 AMIRI, Vahid  Persepolis
ANSARIFARD, Karim  Olympiakos (GRE)
AZMOUN, Sardar  Rostov (RUS)
GHOOCHANEJAD, Reza Heerneveen (HOL)
JAHANBAKHSH, Alireza A Z Alkaamar (HOL)
PAHLAVAN, Ehsan Zb Ahan
TAREMI, Mehdi Persepolis
TORABI, Mehdi  Saipa

Iran 1-0 China : Another firm step towards the World Cup 2018

Team Melli defeated China 1-0 in the seventh round of the FIFA World Cup 2018 Asian zone qualifiers to cement its lead on group A. Iran now leads the group with 17 points , four ahead of closest rival Korea Republic with 3 rounds to go.

The match was played in front of capacity crowd estimated to be over 110,000 fans played early in the afternoon, The doors of the stadium had to be closed early as the fans were still flocking in with the stadium already full.

China which defeated Korea in the last round , was hoping to repeat the same against Iran to have any chance of reaching the World Cup for only its second time in history. A large number of Chinese fans all wearing red , were in Azadi;s special guests section cheering their team. Marcello Lippi has successfully led the Chinese in the last two matches.

Taremi celebrates

The first half :

Queiroz made 3 changes in the line up from the Qatar match including Ghoochannejad replacing Azmoun in forward line, while Shojae replaced Hajsafy. TM did not waste much time going forward as Ghoochannejad shot powerfully in the 6th minute for the Chinese keeper Zeng Cheng to parry over the bar for corner.

Following a series of slick passing moves in the 20th minute, Jahanbakhsh fired a shot that just shaved the bar

Next serious threat on Chinese goal was on minute 35 where Taremi’s shot was saved by the outstretched legs of Zeng Cheng.

Team Melli continued its assault on China’s goal and should have scored a minute later after another set of passes following quick interchange of positions. Masoud Shojaei, the captain of the team, sent a measured ball to the fast advancing Milad Mohammadi on the left flank. The Grozny player controlled the ball nicely, passed his marker and was one on one with Zeng Cheng. However, with the angle closing and becoming acute , Mohammadi shot was met by the excellent Chinese custodian, and sent to the corner.

Reza Ghoochannejad vs China WCQ 2018

5 minutes later , another marvelous passing game, this time from the right resulted in Ghafoori sending an inch perfect pass to Shojaei. The Captain shot cleanly but once again Zeng Cheng saved China’s blushes. The ensuing corner saw Taremi’s scissor kick marginally missing target.

The first half ended goal-less.

It only took 30 seconds in the second half for Iran to take the lead. After a series of shamble clearances by the Chinese defense, Taremi found the ball at his feet inside the six yards box. His halfhearted lefty shot beat the wrong footed  Zeng Cheng and finally passed the goal line.

It was much deserved and long waited goal for Team Melli.

China on the other hand, showed very little initiative and ambition. Only late in the second half that the Chinese really pressed hard to score an equalizer , which incidentally would not have made a big difference in their chances.

Iran now awaits the crucial encounter at Azadi with Uzbekistan. A win, will guarantee Iran early qualification.

IRAN vs. CHINA : Statistics

 

Overview

MATCHES

Iran      IRAN   –     CHINA PR    China PR
33
FIFA Ranking position
86
HEAD-TO-HEAD
21
Matches Played
21
11
Wins
4
4
Losses
11
6
Draws
6
35
Goals scored
18
18
Goals against
35

Men’s ‘A’ Matches

FIFA WORLD CUP™

Iran      IRAN   –     CHINA PR    China PR
0
Appearances
0
0
Titles
0
HEAD-TO-HEAD
0
Matches Played
0

FIFA WORLD CUP™ QUALIFIERS

Iran     IRAN    –    CHINA PR    China PR
5
Matches Played
5
3
Wins
1
1
Losses
3
1
Draws
1
11
Goals scored
7
7
Goals against
11

FRIENDLIES

Iran     IRAN     –     CHINA PR     China PR
10
Matches Played
10
6
Wins
3
3
Losses
6
1
Draws
1
15
Goals scored
6
6
Goals against
15

Last five matches

Date Comp. H / A / N Final score Stadium Attendance
06.09.2016 World Cup Qualifier A 0 – 0 Shenyang Olympic Sports Center Stadium, Shenyang
03.09.2010 Friendly A 2 – 0 Zhengzhou Hanghai Stadium. 31000
01.06.2009 Friendly A 0 – 1 QINHUANGDO Olympic Stadium
09.01.2009 Friendly H 3 – 1 Azadi – Tehran 10000
19.12.2008 Oman 4 side Tournament N 2 – 0 Sultan Qaboos Stadium , Muscat 15000

 

Iran Yellow Cards

1st Round

Mehdi TAREMI (2)
Omid EBRAHIMI (2)
Ashkan DEJAGAH (2)

2nd Round

Ashkan DEJAGAH
Ramin REZAEIAN
Pejman MONTAZERI
Vahid AMIRI
Sardar AZMOUN
Milad MOHAMMADI
Mehdi TAREMI
Alireza BIRANVAND

Iran look to edge closer, duo aim to bounce back

fifa.com

27.March.2017

Tuesday’s matchday 7 in Asia could see Carlos Queiroz’s take another major step towards Russia 2018 by strengthening their position at the Group A summit. Group B joints leaders Saudi Arabia and Japan will, meanwhile, hope to continue their winning form against Iraq and Thailand respectively as they aim to consolidate their places in the top two.

Among the chasing pack of Group A, second-placed Korea Republic and third-placed Uzbekistan must put defeats from the last outings behind them as they aim to bounce back at home against Syria and Qatar. Having stunned Korea Republic 1-0, Marcello Lippi’s China PR travel to Iran aiming to spring another surprise. Australia, meanwhile, are desperate to end their four-match winless streak with a home victory against United Arab Emirates. FIFA.com previews all the action across the continent.

The match
Iran-China PR, Azadi Stadium, Tehran
With qualification firmly in their sights, Iran will look to their extra player – Iran’s football federation has made Tuesday’s game against China free for spectators at Tehran’s Azadi Stadium – as they aim to clinch maximum points at home. Steered by Queiroz, the Iranians have enjoyed arguably the smoothest qualifying campaign over the past two decades. They may be one of the two undefeated sides of this campaign – the other being Australia – but they are the only team to maintain a perfect defensive record with zero goals conceded.

The visitors are, for their part, similarly motivated to gain their second successive victory under Lippi. If their last win against Korea Republic serves to keep their hopes alive, then three points against Iran will truly rekindle their chances – at least for third place. Iran enter the re-encounter with a clear mental edge having won 11 and drawn six from the past 21 meetings. Having recorded their first victory against the South Koreans, though, the Chinese are hoping to continue their newly-rediscovered form by pulling off another major upset in Tehran.

The other attractions
Having been dealt an unexpected defeat at the hands of China, a result which saw the gap to Iran extended to four points, Uli Stielike’s Korea Republic are all too aware that they must win against Syria at home if they are to maintain their place among the top two. Leading Uzbekistan by just a point, Taeguk Warriors could slip to third or even fourth if they drop points at home. Desperate as they are, though, the South Koreans will be wary of the resilient Syria, who currently trail by just two points and can leapfrog their opponents with another surprise triumph.

Elsewhere in Group A, both hosts Uzbekistan and Qatar enter the return hoping in earnest to bounce back from defeats last week. However, it was the Uzbeks who can look to their overwhelming head-to-head qualifying record, having claimed five wins and a draw from seven previous meetings, including a solitary-goal away win in the first leg. A home victory would maintain the hosts’ place among the top three regardless of other results, while the visitors know anything less than three points would be meaningless. Uzbekistan will be missing suspended defender Islom Tukhtakhodjaev, while Qatar will have to make do without the service of midfielder Boualem Khoukhi for the same reason.

In Group B, both joint leaders Saudi Arabia and Japan aim to move clear with victories against Iraq and Thailand, but it is the latter who can look to their dominant record against the rivals. Having won 14 out of 18 previous meetings with the Thais, including prevailing at Bangkok in the first leg, Vahid Halilhodzic’s Samurai Blue will start as strong favourites. The visitors, who will be missing captain Theerathon Bunmathan due to suspension, will become the first eliminated side should they lose and Australia win or draw.

Leading Japan only on goal difference, the Saudis know they must defeat Iraq at home to keep their place in the top. Despite narrowly losing in the first leg, however, the Iraqis boast a strong head-to-head record with 15 wins to nine from 32 meetings. Elsewhere, Australia will be keen to end their run of draws when United Arab Emirates visit Sydney for the first time since a famous win over Japan at the 2015 AFC Asian Cup. Interest will focus on the possible selection of veteran talisman Tim Cahill, who scored the only goal of the last game in Abu Dhabi.

Player to watch
Korea Republic will look to their star-attacker Son Heungmin as they seek to bounce back against Syria at home. In a sense, the 24-year-old Tottenham Hotspur winger has established his talismanic role with Taeguk Warriors during this campaign. With Son driving the team, the South Koreans opened the third round brightly by defeating China 3-2 at home. In his absence, though, the nine-time World Cup participants were held to a goalless draw by Syria, before losing to China in the return. Son could well be the point-of-difference against the Syrians on Tuesday.

Do you know?
Saudi Arabia and Iraq stand out as the pairing who are most familiar to each other, having met in 32 internationals down the years. Australia and United Arab Emirates, meanwhile, have a relatively new rivalry with just four games played between them.

What they said
“(Marcello) Lippi has been everywhere in football and he will make China a stronger and more intelligent team. We know that China will be well-organised and will be compact in defence. We have to be patient to try and break their rearguard but also be careful of their counter-attacking,” Iran coach Carlos Queiroz

Matchday 6 fixtures
28 March
Group A:
Korea Republic-Syria
Iran-China PR
Uzbekistan-Qatar

Group B:
Saudi Arabia-Iraq
Australia-United Arab Emirates
Japan-Thailand

Mission China; Team Melli needs all the 3 points in Azadi.

Iran’s match against China on Tuesday will be a real test for the newish look Team Melli after their fine display against Qatar in Doha which ended in a 1-0 win scored by Mehdi Taremi. In retrospect, it was not an impossible task in Doha and the win was achieved with certain level of comfort unlike the match in Azadi at the beginning of the competition.

Azmoun & Taremi celebrating

Mehdi Taremi was one of 3 up front strikers in what look a sweet adventure by Carlos Queiroz. Team Melli has reached this status, undefeated, top of the table and not conceding a single goal in the competition yet, as the result of Queiroz philosophy of tight & solid defense. A solid back , be it three or four , has served Queiroz well and his omission of Seyed Jalal Hosseini , the most expected and senior player in the squad , but who is also performing quite awfully for his club, proved how much importance Queiroz puts on reliable, steadfast and consistent defenders. Pouraliganji replaced Hosseini at the heart of the defence and he hardly put a foot wrong. It was a clever move by Queiroz who must have considered Pouraliganji’s familiarity with the Qatar players as an added advantage on top of his excellent form.

Queiroz was rewarded for it.

The midfield was another spot of worry since the regulars were all missing. Ashkan Dejagah & Ando Teymourian have not even made the list, while the squad was lacking strength in depth in the defensive midfield area.

However, Saeid Ezatollahie , a young an upcoming player, Ehsan Hajsafy, already a veteran at 27 years only and Ali Reza Jahanbakhsh created a solid trio in the center of the field and excelled in both their offensive and defensive duties. The midfield, maintaining a pace of the match that suited Team Melli tactics, creating lots of opportunities for the forwards, helping out in defense, and  finally controlling the match with time ticking away, was a major factor in this victory.

In the forward line, Carlos Queiroz is spoiled for choices and every single one of them in addition to the benched Reza Ghoochannejad had excellent season with their respective clubs. The dilemma with Queiroz was which one to pick. Granted, the forwards missed many chances to kill the game as early as the 60th minute, but their performance and contribution to backing the midfield during oppositions attacks, was a delight to watch.

Carlos Queiroz

Now about the goalkeeper. Team Melli have not been successful with keepers after the era of the AhmedReza Abedzadeh. Young Biranvand has certainly some potential, but there are some mentality and behavior issues with this keeper. His petulant acts is a source of concern, in the match against Qatar, it earned him a yellow card, but more serious than these juvenile roleplays , is his tendency to get his choices wrong while jumping for crosses or when he needs to save a shot.  He needs a lot of growing up and some real good coaching on his timing and when to use his fists rather than the palm of the hands.

  Overall , it was an excellent performance by Team Melli.

China seems to experiencing a revival of their own as their narrow but valuable win against their perennial rivals South Korea proved. will be a good test for Team Melli. Last time round in China, the home team frustrated Team Melli and closed the roads to their goalkeeper very well. The style of play has improved under Marcello Lippi and the Chinese seem to play a better game, more confidence and with some superb passing moves. The style is more of ground passing and less dependence on aerials. The Chinese forwards are perhaps not so effective in finishing and there are a few question marks about their defense marking, but the team looks much more solid and capable of beating any opposition.

The predication for this encounter is difficult, suffice to say it will be tight and difficult affair.

Azadi passionate crowd will have a major role to play. The vociferous and enthusiastic support will assist in gaining all the three more points of the match. This might not translate in early celebrations for Team Melli as that fate will be delayed until this summer. Direct qualification will only be known after the game with Uzbekistan on 12th June, if that.

One firm Step closer to WC 2018 – Qatar 0 – 1 Iran

Iran’s Team Melli defeated Qatar 1-0 in Doha in the 6th round of the FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifiers. The only goal was scored in the 52nd minute by Mehdi Taremi from a brilliant assist by Karim Ansarifard.

Earlier in the day China beat second place Korea Rep 1-0 while Syria shocked Uzbekistan with the same result in Malaysia.  Iran’s win opened a 4 points gap at the top.

The first half ended goal less draw. 

Despite the general tendency of Queiroz to focus on a defensive side of the game , the Portuguese coach surprised many by fielding an offensive side with three forwards up front, Azmoun, Taremi and Ansarifard. This line up supported by Jahanbakhash on the flank managed to put a lot of pressure on the host team from the early stages of the match. It must also caught the Qatar coach Jorge Fossati by surprise.

Two golden opportunities that went to waste were when Azmoun penetration resulted in confusion among Qatar defenders and the goalkeeper and ending in Ansarifard shooting directly at the goalkeeper Saad Alsheeb who parried  and saved.

The other chance ended in Azmoun hitting close range acute angle shoot that was  saved by Qatari keeper. Other chances were also created by the well-disciplined Team Melli.

The second half must be labelled as the half of wasted chances. Team Melli created chance after chance and a score of 5-0 would not have been too far-fetched. The half started well when the vision of Karim Ansarifard and his quick thinking , put Taremi in a perfect scoring position. Karim’s long ball just inside Qatar’s half  split the Qatari defence  and found Taremi in ample space for him to control the ball in style. The Persepolis striker cool finishing was a delight to watch . 1-0 to Iran

The rest of the match was mainly controlled by Team Melli whose midfield was surprisingly supreme despite the lack of experienced players. Ezatollahie and Hajsafy were forming the makeshift midfield with Jahanbakhsh , did a fine job and maintained a strong defensive presense.  Jahanbakhask , who seemed to forget his shooting boot, missed a couple of good chances while Hajsafy was one on one but failed to beat the Qatari keeper.

Overall , Team Melli was well-drilled, played a balanced game, and deserved the three points. The next 3 points against China , well certainly mean that Team Melli is almost there in Moscow come 2018.