Tag: 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

09/10/2016

Queiroz secret plans leaves Stielike guessing!

Uli Stielike must be scratching his head wondering which team will his counterpart Carlos Queiroz will arrange in Azadi comes Tuesday. The Portuguese coach played 3 different line ups against Qatar, China and Uzbekistan leaving the German coach wondering which game plan he shall deploy.

Queiroz last line up against Uzbekistan must have alarmed quite a few and was bordering high risk for some critics. No one bench 3 of his top players while playing against the top of the table team in away match in a World Cup qualifier! Queiroz, however, did exactly that and to put the icing on the cake, his players won and to make it taste even sweeter, they played one of their finest football in years.

For over 20 minutes in Tashkent, Team Melli was pressing the host, Uzbekistan on the other hand were running out of ideas and short of confidence. The only span of time that the host managed to threaten, but not effectively, was the early minutes of the second half. After that, Iran regained control, Queiroz masterplan worked like a charm and his players executed it to perfection grabbing all 3 points with this sweet victory away from home.

Whatever the reasons for the constant changing line up by Queiroz (quite uncharacteristic for the ex-Real Madrid and Portugal coach) the man knew exactly what he was doing and that is confirmed by the fact that Iran is heading the table ahead of the other 5 teams.

Queiroz is no stranger to the Koreans battles and thrives in beating the record holders of most Asian team appearances in the World Cup. In the last edition of the qualification, it was that egotistical unwitting South Korean coach Choi Kang-hee who vowed that Carlos Queiroz will have to watch next year’s World Cup in Brazil on television.

The two coaches have traded verbal volleys in the lead-up to that decisive clash in Ulsan and at the end , Choi Kang-hee was the one who ended up watching World Cup on a Samsung TV while Queiroz and the boys was battling it out against the likes of the great Lionel Messi in Brazil.

There is no such animosity between Stielike and Queiroz who have strong mutual respect for each other, however, that does not dilute the intensity of the match in any way. Stielike must be unsettled trying to figure out what Queiroz is up to tactically. Queiroz putting a lot of thoughts on how to take advantage of the Korean defensive vulnerability, which has conceded 4 goals in 3 matches.

Team Melli is a good shape to grab all the 3 points and looks like the favorite ahead of the World Cup qualifying showpiece event in Azadi. The passionate Iranian fans in the eve of Ashoora could make a big difference too.

11/04/2016

The Iranian Messi raring to go.

fifa.com

For the Iranian faithful, it has been quite some years since Team Melli has enjoyed the services of a truly reliable goal-getter following the retirement of international leading scorer Ali Daei. It is a fact borne out by Iran’s performances during Asia’s qualifying final round for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™, with Carlos Queiroz’s side progressing as the lowest scorers among the continent’s qualified quartet, with just eight goals from as many games. Their campaign at Brazil 2014 proved disappointing in that sense, too, with just one goal scored.

Now though, with the meteoric rise of Sardar Azmoun, the void left by the world’s international goal-king is seemingly set to be filled. Seven goals from five matches is the impressive goal-scoring rate as the Rostov forward, who turned 21 in January, finished Asia’s second qualifying round for Russia 2018 as the team’s top-scorer. Notably, Azmoun completed his first international brace in their 6-0 rout of Guam, before striking twice as his side beat Oman 2-0 in the group concluder to progress.

Azmoun’s free-scoring form has seen him hailed as a goal-king in the making. But while fans are hoping he will assume Daei’s mantle, the lanky forward opted to downplay growing expectations.

“I will try (to be a great striker like Daei),” he told FIFA.com in an exclusive interview. “But honestly speaking, I don’t want to be occupied with goals like this. What I want is to help Iran and I am proud of scoring goals for my team. I am still young and I should concentrate on improving my skills.”

Queiroz trust
Just a year back, few knew who Azmoun was when he became a surprise inclusion in Queiroz’s 2015 AFC Asian Cup squad. Of course, those following Iran’s game closely are aware what he is capable of after his exploits with Rubin Kazan, the Russian side he joined as a teenager in 2013. He was on target eight times across 32 appearances for Kazan in all competitions, including breaking his duck by scoring in a 3-0 UEFA Europa League win against Molde.

“The coach (Queiroz) gave me the call-up (to the last Asian Cup team),” he recalled. “He placed plenty of trust in me. But for me, it was no surprise. I had anticipated that he would call me up and he did.”

It did not take Azmoun long to prove Queiroz right on the continental stage. After playing briefly as a substitute in Iran’s opening win against Bahrain, he was handed a surprise start against Qatar. Azmoun did not let the chance slip, repaying the coach’s faith by scoring the match-winning goal. He went on to open the scoring in the quarter-final clash against Iraq as the two sides were locked at 3-3 after regular and additional periods, only to see the opponents prevail with a penalty shoot-out victory. Despite the loss, Azmoun emerged as one of the tournament’s biggest revelations, alongside the likes of Massimo Luongo and Omar Abdulrahman.

“I was enormously happy to play for the national team in such an important tournament,” he continued, reflecting on his first major competition representing Iran. “For me, it was just like a dream come true. It provided me with confidence as well as motivation.”

Messi or Ibrahimovic
Azmoun’s club form has been similarly impressive. Since moving to play for Rostov on loan at the start of last year, he has dazzled spectators through his forward forays and goals. His fine displays have seen him among the most sought-after Asian youth stars, with rumours that he has attracted interest by the likes of Everton, Stoke City and even Barcelona. His growing popularity is such that he has been dubbed as “Iranian Messi” by fans and media alike.

Azmoun, though, thinks differently. “Zlatan Ibrahimovic is my idol player,” he stated. “And Real Madrid is my favourite club.”

With an athletic 182cm frame, Azmoun boasts exceptional aerial ability, consummate control of the ball and is known for his bursts of acceleration, creativity and adept finishing. “Azmoun has all the qualities to be a top-class striker,” remarked his former Rubin Kazan manager Rinat Bilyaletdinov.

With so many promises to live up to, Azmoun is all too aware what tasks are facing him. “Every player wants to show his best with the national team and I am no exception,” he said. “My chief goal is to help Iran (to the World Cup) and make our supporters happy. In order to achieve this, I must keep in mind that I have a lot of hard work ahead of me.”

04/04/201605/04/2016

Mehrdad Pooladi seeking asylum in UK.

The former Team Melli and Persepolis player Mehrdad Pooladi is rumored to be seeking asylum in Britain following his problem with the authorities in Iran as the result of Military Service.

Pooladi who was Team Melli’s best player in FIFA World Cup 2014 in Brazil, last played for Team Melli in the 2015 Asian Cup Australia. His expulsion in the quarter final match against Iraq after receiving the 2^nd yellow card meant Team Melli playing the whole of the second half and extra time with one player short.

At the time, Pooladi was playing in Qatar Star League with Al Shahaniya and returned their following the elimination of Team Melli never to return back to his homeland.

The reclusive ex-Mes Kerman and Persepolis defender troubles began when he was named in controversial list of football players who dodged military service by presenting fake documents with the intention to fraud. The compulsory 2 years military service is required for all able bodied young Iranians after graduation from school. Almost all the players named on that list, accepted the consequences of their misconduct and their subsequent punishments, which included servicing the full 2 years military service. Pooladi was the only one who insisted on his innocence. He was adamant that he followed the procedures in getting release from military service without publicizing the details.

Pooladi who has always been media shy and did not give many interviews was said to promise the authorities to prove that his discharge was legitimate on his return to Iran following the AFC Asian Cup 2015.

Pooladi never returned back to Iran and the reason was a concerted media slander campaign where he was called a “fugitive” , “deserter” and even a “traitor”. It is believed that Pooladi , on hearing or reading those comments in government run media including respected news agency such as ISNA , thought he was fighting a losing battle. Dejected and angry by these accusations, he decided not to return fearing reprisal and imprisonment by the authorities.

A few insiders point fingers at unnamed Persepolis club officials who hatched this campaign against him as a revenge for him abandoning the club in 2014 when he was most needed in a struggling team. These claims are unsubstantiated, however.

Mehrdad Pooladi was one of Carlos Queiroz’s most trusted players. It seemed that the Team Melli head coach was swearing by him to the extent that he named him in a squad once while the left back was on crutches recovering from injury!

05/01/2016

Namazi appointed as U.S. Soccer Men’s Youth National Team Coach

thesportscampus.com | , Jan 05th

U.S. Soccer has appointed three-time World Cup veteran Brad Friedel as Head Coach of the U-19 Men’s National Team and former Iran National Team assistant coach Omid Namazi to lead the U-18 MNT program.

“We are thrilled to bring on two guys who have such tremendous experience,” said U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann. “Brad Friedel played at the highest level for almost two decades, and his knowledge will be a huge benefit to our young players. Omid Namazi has not only been a professional player at all levels in the United States, he has worked as a coach both here and overseas which adds important perspective. They have both been assistant coaches in our Youth National Teams, so this is another important step in connecting the dots between our teams.”

Friedel earned 82 caps for the United States during his 13-year international career, starting all five matches in the USA’s historic run to the quarterfinals of the 2002 FIFA World Cup. One of the top performing U.S. professionals for more than 20 years in MLS and Europe, Friedel played for the Columbus Crew in MLS and at Galatasaray, Liverpool, Blackburn, Aston Villa, Tottenham and others. He holds the Premier League record for most consecutive appearances (310). Holding a UEFA ‘A’ coaching license, Friedel has served as an assistant at various Youth National Team camps and worked with players at the Tottenham academy.

“I look forward to the opportunity to help develop our young players into professionals and full internationals,” said Friedel. “The last four years I have focused my coaching at the academy and development levels, and I’m excited to work with the entire group of committed Youth National Team staff members to increase our levels of development here in the United States.”

Omid Namazi takes the helm of the U-18 MNT after having served as an assistant coach of the U-20’s for the last two years. Namazi brings an extensive coaching career that began in 1999, as well as an 18-year career as a professional player during which he played at all levels in the United States. He served as an assistant coach for Iran from 2011-2014, and helped the team qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

“I look forward to leading such a critical age group in our Youth National Teams set up,” Namazi said. “My experience with the U20’s in the last two years will certainly help me develop the type of players we need to compete at the highest levels professionally and internationally.”

Namazi’s first camp will be a domestic training camp with 36 players from Jan. 17-23 at Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, which will serve as preparation for international games in Argentina in early March.

“Brad and Omid are very important additions as we continue working towards a more integrated National Team Program,” said U.S. Soccer Youth Technical Director and U-20 Men’s National Team head coach Tab Ramos. “They both played key roles in the recent success of the U-20 National Team and we’re looking forward to working closely with all of our National Team coaches and professional leagues to continue to develop players to be ready to compete at the highest level of the game.”

The U-19 Men’s National Team’s first-ever event will be from Jan. 27-Feb. 6 in Las Palmas on the Canary Islands, taking part in the Copa del Atlantico four-team tournament with matches against Spain, France and the Canary Islands. The U-19 MNT program has been added to men’s youth programing this year and features players born in 1998, who are coming off playing in the U-17 FIFA World Cup in Chile in October.

Friedel and Namazi are the most recent additions to the Youth National Team programs, following the hiring of John Hackworth as the new head coach of the U-17 MNT.