Tag: 2015 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup

Portuguese from Man Utd enforcer to Mr. World Cup

 

Carlos Queiroz was once Alex Ferguson’s formidable number two at Manchester United, but he has now carved out a new reputation: the man who can take your team to the World Cup.

After Queiroz’s Iran became only the second team to qualify for Russia 2018, he is savouring the unique feat of reaching four World Cups with three different teams.

It’s a record that hasn’t gone unnoticed, with Asian champions Australia reportedly interested in Queiroz’s services once Ange Postecoglou departs next year.

“I feel very proud and honoured with that (World Cup) achievement,” the grizzled Portuguese told AFP by telephone. “Other coaches have qualified four times but not with different teams.”

The former Real Madrid boss has now qualified with South Africa in 2002, Portugal in 2010 — leading them to the last 16 — and now twice with Iran, after he also took them to Brazil 2014.

Carlos Queiroz has achieved the unique feat of reaching four World Cups with three different teams, including South Africa, Portugal and IranplayCarlos Queiroz has achieved the unique feat of reaching four World Cups with three different teams, including South Africa, Portugal and Iran

(AFP/File)

This month’s 2-0 win over Uzbekistan made Iran the first Asian team to qualify for Russia, clinching top spot in Group A with two games to spare — and without a single goal conceded in 720 minutes of football.

On top of that, Iran, who will now contest back-to-back World Cups for the first time, have been Asia’s number one team in the FIFA rankings for four years, helped by a growing number of players succeeding in Europe.

Walter Winterbottom took England to four successive World Cups starting from 1950, a record that was equalled by West Germany’s Helmut Schon from 1966 to 1978. Oscar Tabarez could also make it four with Uruguay if the South Americans reach Russia.

But nobody has done it with three different countries, apart from Mozambique-born Queiroz.

“To do it with these different countries, cultures and mentalities is at least, unique,” Queiroz said. “Each country has its own challenges, its own strengths and weaknesses.”

‘Football animal’

The 64-year-old became Iran coach in 2011 and has weathered cultural and logistical difficulties to find success with Team Melli, helped by the talent the country produces and the passion of the fans.

“The fans love the team and the excitement they provide is special,” said Queiroz. “When we play at home the atmosphere is great and there can be 100,000 fans. When we qualified, there were celebrations in Tehran all night.”

Among Queiroz’s players is Reza Ghoochannejhad, who was the second highest goalscorer in the Dutch league in the 2016-2017 season with 20 goals for Heerenveen.

Alireza Jahanbakhsh has also impressed in the Netherlands with AZ Alkmaar, and Karim Ansarifard is with Greek giant Olympiakos.

Then there are two highly-rated young stars in Russia: striker Sardar Azmoun and midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi, with both expected to head to one of the bigger European leagues this summer.

It all adds up to a formidable squad and coaching staff.

“Carlos Queiroz and his colleagues have done so much for Team Melli,” Ali Daei, a legend of Iranian football and former national team coach, told FIFA’s official homepage.

“One of the most important things he’s done is bringing in so many young players and changed the major players of the team.”

Although Queiroz is attracting interest from other federations, he says he hasn’t yet decided whether he will go for a fifth World Cup with a fourth national team.

“I have been coaching for a long time,” said Queiroz, who led Portugal’s U20 team to successive World Cup titles in 1989 and 1991. “I don’t really want to think what happens after the next World Cup.

“If this football animal is still biting me in the stomach then I can continue. I want to feel happy. If I can still make a contribution then maybe.”

First comes the challenge of taking Iran to Russia, and improving on their winless showing in Brazil.

“That is the ambition and starting from now, that is the objective we are working towards,” he said. “With the right preparation then we have the talent to make an impact.”

Iran Beach soccer eyes a 1/4 finals berth after defeating Mexico.

Iran held off a spirited Mexican fightback to win their Group C clash 3-2 and close on a place in the knockout stages, eliminating Mexico in the process. Iran stormed into a three-goal lead, with Mohammad Ahmadzadeh and Faroogh Dara’s second period efforts building on Amir Akbari’s first period opener. The Mexicans responded with two second period goals of their own, through Gerardo Gomez and Abdiel Villa, but it was not enough to prevent their side being knocked out.

Peyman Hosseini injury

Akbari, featuring at his third global finals, scored inside the opening two minutes once again, as he had against Brazil in his side’s most recent match. Ahmadzadeh then grabbed his third goal in three games in Espinho with a spectacular overhead kick, before Dara’s fist Beach Soccer World Cup goal since 2007 helped Marco Octavio’s side into a seemingly unassailable lead.

The Mexicans hit back minutes later though through Gomez and Villa, both grabbing their first ever Beach Soccer World Cup goals. Despite applying pressure in the closing stages, the Mexicans could not find the crucial leveller – thanks in part to some spectacular goalkeeping from Peyman Hosseini – and head home without a victory to their name. Iran await the outcome of Brazil’s showdown with Spain later today to see if they have secured their place in the quarter-finals.

If Brazil beats Spain later on , Iran will qualify to meet Tahiti , the surprise group D winner . The pacific nation team defeated Russia 6-7 in a game played after Mexico-Iran match.

 

 

First stage
Mexico   –   Iran
2:3 (0:1)
Date:  14 July 2015

Venue / Stadium :   Espinho /Espinho Stadium

Time : 13:00

Attendance

Match Officials
Referee : ARZUOLAITIS Laurynas (LTU)
Goals scored
Amir AKBARI (IRN) 1’55” , Mohammad AHMADZADEH (IRN) 14’38” , Faroogh DARA (IRN) 14’59” , Gerardo GOMEZ (MEX) 18’18” , Abdiel VILLA (MEX) 21’29”

Iran Mexico
1 P. HOSSEINI 12 M. ESTRADA
(GK)
2 A. RODRIGUEZ 2 A. AKBARI
4 F. CATI  (C) 7 M. MORSHEDI
7 R. MALDONADO 8 F. BOULOKBASHI
10 A. VILLA 11 M. AHMADZADEH
Substitutes
1 M. CORONA  (GK) 12 H. BEHZADPOUR (GK)
3 C. HERNANDEZ 3 M. MORADI
5 A. GONZALEZ 4 M. KIANI
6 G. PICHARDO 5 A. NADERI
8 J. ALEMAN 8 F. DARA
9 S. RAMIREZ 9 M. MOKHTARI
11 G. GOMEZ 10 M. MESIGAR
COACHES
RAYA Ramon (MEX) OCTAVIO Marco (BRA)

Cautions
Gerardo GOMEZ (MEX) 26’13” , Amir AKBARI (IRN) 33’08”
Expulsions
Adrian GONZALEZ (MEX) 3’08”

GROUP C

Teams MP W W+ WP L GF GA Pts
2 2 0 0 0 9 4 6
3 2 0 0 1 12 11 6
2 1 0 0 1 8 7 3
3 0 0 0 3 4 11 0
Group D

Team Melli beach soccer team lose against Brazil.

Brazil’s win, their second of the tournament at Portugal 2015, did not come easily to the four-time champions after Iran had a 3-1 lead in the first period.

Both sides had won their opening matches in Espinho—Brazil defeated Mexico 5-1 and Iran overcame Spain 6-5. The two teams were also drawn in the same group at Tahiti 2013. Brazil won that time around 4-1, but in Espinho, Iran made life much tougher on their South American opposition.

Group C
Teams MP W W+ WP L GF GA Pts
2 2 0 0 0 9 4 6
2 1 0 0 1 9 9 3
2 1 0 0 1 8 7 3
2 0 0 0 2 2 8 0

An exciting first period saw a brace by Amir Akbari put Iran ahead twice, Mohammad Ahmadzadeh , Iran’s star scoring a stunning third goal for Team Melli to take a 3-1 lead. However, goals from Bruno Xavier and Bokinha helped Brazil fight back to bring the match level by the end of the period.

The Brazilians reach closer to the quarter-finals, although they are not formally through. All four teams in Group C still have a chance of advancing to the last-eight.

The final match for Team Melli on Tuesday should seal its qualification to the next round although a win by Spain against Brazil , might complicate the issue.

Match

First stage
IranBrazil
3:4 (3:3)
Date Venue / Stadium Time Attendance
12 July 2015 Espinho /Espinho Stadium 17:30 3500

Match Officials

Referee
MATTICOLI Gionni (ITA)

Goals scored

Amir AKBARI (IRN) 1’25” , FERNANDO DDI (BRA) 1’46” , Amir AKBARI (IRN) 3’09” , Mohammad AHMADZADEH (IRN) 4’04” , BRUNO XAVIER (BRA) 11’26” Penalty goal, BOKINHA (BRA) 11’39” , MAURICINHO (BRA) 25’03”
Iran
Iran
Brazil
Brazil
Line-ups Line-ups
1
MÃO (GK)
Substitutes Substitutes
12 CESINHA (GK)
10  JORGINHO (C)
Coach Coach
OCTAVIO Marco (BRA) JUNIOR NEGAO (BRA)

Cautions

Peyman HOSSEINI (IRN) 14’27” , BRUNO XAVIER (BRA) 22’10” , BOKINHA (BRA) 23’19”
a.e.t.: After extra time (C): Captain PSO: Penalty Shoot-out
GK: Goalkeeper N: Not eligible to play I: Injured
2Y: Misses next match if booked Pos: Positions A: Absent

 

A winning start for Iran Beach soccer.

Iran Beach soccer team started its pursuit to defend its Asian Title by defeating Lebanon 3-2 in Doha , Qatar.

The 2015 Asian Beach Soccer Championship matches are being held in the Katara Arena on the beach of Doha with the presence of 15 teams.

Lebanon scored the first goal but Mohammad Ali Sadeghi soon equalized for Iran. Farid Blokbashi put Iran in front with a spectacular header to make it 2-1 for the defending champion, before Mohammad Ahmadzadeh scored a third with one of his trickery shoots to put Iran 3-1 ahead with 6 minutes to go, A long range shot from Lebanon’s Halawi to make it 3-2 to ensure a thrilling finale, however Iran held comfortably and finished the first match on the right track with a hard fought win against an excellent Lebanese team.

Naderi wasted a penalty in the match, saved by the brilliant Lebanon keeper.

Iran will have a break tomorrow before meeting Thailand on Wednesday.

The winners, runners-up and third-placed team of this tournament are all guaranteed a spot at July’s FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Portugal.

Iran, the side ranked highest in Asia by FIFA, will face Thailand and Lebanon in Group D. In Group B, Japan, who finished fourth at the 2000 and 2005 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cups, are set to do battle with China, Vietnam and Kuwait, while the UAE, Uzbekistan and Iraq will compete in Group C.

The top two teams from each group will progress to the competition’s knockout stage ahead of the final which will be held on March 28.

Only six teams have confirmed their 2015 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup places so far – Italy, Portugal, reigning champions Russia, Spain, Switzerland and Fiji.

AFC Beach Soccer Championship 2015 Groups

Group A: Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Laos

Group B: Japan, China, Vietnam, Kuwait

Group C: UAE, Uzbekistan, Iraq

Group D: Iran, Thailand, Lebanon