Tag: Colombia

Carlos Queiroz set to lead Iraq.

The former Team Melli head coach will aim to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with Iraq, a feat that has failed the Iraqis for 35 years.

Carlos Queiroz is the No. 1 candidate to lead the Iraq team, in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, after the team parted with coach Srecko Katanec.

Srecko Katanec has led the Iraqi team since 2018, helping the team qualify for the 2019 Asian Cup as well as advance to the final qualifying round of the 2022 World Cup. However, on July 15, he decided to leave the Iraqi team after 6 months without receiving a salary.

Very quickly, the Iraqi Football Federation targeted the famous coach Carlos Queiroz as a replacement. The Portuguese born in 1953 is currently unemployed, after terminating his job with the Colombian team in December 2020.

Carlos Queiroz is one of the most famous coaches in the world. He led the Portuguese team with Ronaldo to the 2010 World Cup. After that, he had 8 years with Team Melli, achieving a historic back-to-back qualification to the World Cup 2014 and 2018. Before that, he also twice. helped Portugal’s U20 team win the FIFA U20 World Cup in 1989 and 1991.

Carlos Queiroz is likely to lead the Iraqi team to the 2022 World Cup qualifiers. Photo: Twitter Iraqi Football Federation.
Carlos Queiroz is likely to lead the Iraqi team to the 2022 World Cup qualifiers. Photo: Twitter Iraqi Football Federation.

At the club level, Carlos Queiroz worked as an assistant to Alex Ferguson at Man United in his prime. In addition, he also had a season as a coach of Real Madrid, with the team winning the Spanish Super Cup.

According to local media, Carlos Queiroz is excited about the prospect of leading the Iraqi team. However, he also asked the Iraqi Football Federation to pay him 80% of his salary in advance, which is expected to be up to 1.75 million USD/year. It is expected that this week, the two sides will agree on the final terms.

In the final qualifying round of the 2022 World Cup, Iraq is in Group A with Iran, South Korea, UAE, Syria, and Lebanon. They will open the World Cup qualifying campaign with a match against South Korea away on September 2. On September 9, they will meet Iran at home. Historically, Iraq has only attended the World Cup once, in 1986.

Queiroz applauds Mehdi Mehdi Taremi

Everyone remembers the peculiar draw in the Portugal-Iran match last year In FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 and certainly, no one forgets the Portuguese National Team’s apprehension in the final moments of the game.

Iran’s equalizer came late on in the match and that result secured Portugal qualification t the next round however it also kept Iran’s hopes alive for qualification too.  In the last play of the game, the shadow of Portugal elimination must have stopped the heartbeat of the Portuguese nation when one Mehdi Taremi rose high above all Portuguese defenders to meet a cross which he powerfully headed towards Portugal goal from close range.

Taremi’s header missed the target by inches.

If the Iranian striker would have scored, it would be Iran and not Portugal who would have qualified for the next round of the World Cup.

It was the first time Portugal had ever heard of Mehdi Taremi, but a year and two months after that chilling moment the same striker came to Portugal and scored a hat trick for his club Rio Ave in 42 minutes against Aves and left the country with the great passion for football astounded.  The Iranian scored three goals in his home debut and after only three matches in Portugal, without having had any previous experience in the European Leagues.

One remarkable achievement by all standards, therefore, but far from surprising Carlos Queiroz. “Mehdi Taremi is a great player with the potential to win in Europe. For 4, 5 years, he was a starter in the Iran national team,” the current Colombia coach told BOLA. Queiroz coached Iran from 2011 to 2018 leading the Persian to two consecutive FIFA World Cups 2014 and 2018. Queiroz introduced Taremi to Team Melli of Iran.

Carlos Queiroz has no doubt that Rio Ave made the right choice in securing the services of the Iranian striker. “I hope he succeeds, he deserves everything, he is a great player and fantastic person. I never had doubts that he was an excellent player. I can only be proud of this moment and thankful for all he has done for me. He and other players called me Papa and that made me feel awkward but it is something I cannot ignore and always cherish ” Carlos Queiroz said with emotion.

Jorge Fosati to replace Queiroz in Team Melli !!

An Colombian website  caracoltv claims that the next Team Melli coach will be coming from Uruguay. The site mentioned Jorge Fosati as the successor to Carlos Queiroz whose contract ends after the AFC Asian Cup 2019.

The website wrote that while Carlos Queiroz is expected to lead the Colombian national team, Jorge Fosati will take the helm at Iran’s national team. Day after day, the news that Carlos Queiroz’s will be taking over the head coach job of the Colombian national team are getting stronger , naturally a replacement coach should also be appointed to lead Iran in place of the Portuguese. In the meantime, Jorge Fosati of Uruguay is on the verge of being appointed to that post in Iran’s national football team. A few days ago, the Colombian Football Federation has denied any communication with Luis Felipe Scolari.

In Abu Dhabi, Carlos Queiroz has neither denied nor confirmed this news after he was asked by a reporter prior to the game against Vietnam. He asked the media to only ask questions about the match as any other question about his future is an insult to the team and the fans.

Carlos Queiroz is preparing Team Melli to play Iraq for a top of the table match in Dubai in the final match of Group D of AFC Asian Cup 2019

Farias acknowledges that “Queiroz is a great coach”

In the pre-match press conference between Team Melli and Bolivia at Azadi Stadium, the guest team coach , César Alejandro Farías said: “We will play a great match tomorrow which will be different from our other matches.”

The Bolivian soccer coach (45 years) who is a native of Venezuela , went on to mention Carlos Queiroz on the bench of the Iranian national team and acknowledged what a great coach is occupying the bench of Iran. “Iran has great players and coaches. The team played well in the World Cup and was strong in terms of defensive structure.”

“In our continental competitions, we have rivals like Argentina and Colombia who have great physical strength,” he added. ”There are very strong teams in South America. It’s hard for us to compete against these teams. We have to prepare ourselves very well to face the strong continental rivals. Iran is also doing the same to maintain its rank and reputation in Asia. “

Referring to Bolivian players, who are preparing to face Iran tomorrow “it is a great opportunity for the younger players. Based on their physical fitness, they can challenge for a starting line up in the team” .

Bolivia boss responding to queries whether Bolivia has brought the full team to Tehran, said ” We have very good players who are in good conditions in the team. Iran is a very good tactical team. Our next opponent is one of the best in Asia. Our team is preparing itself for the qualifications matches. As you know, Bolivia is playing its home matches at high altitudes above the sea level, and now we are going to experience different environmental conditions.”

He continued “We traveled a long way to reach Tehran. This trip will be good for players to measure their readiness and bodily conditions to play around the world.”

The Bolivian national football team coach commented on the chances of Iran winning the 2019 Asian Cup in the UAE and said “Carlos Queiroz, who sits on a bench, is a great coach. Iran plays with good tactic and maintains a high standard. Iran national team was in the toughest World Cup group. But what we saw, was a fine display. While In London conference, we analyzed the World Cup games. Mr. Queiroz was also present. Iran’s strong performance was reviewed and analyzed. It is a team that played very well and very solid.”

At the end, Farias remarked: “I’ve been coaching in Venezuela for six years, and then I was involved in the South American under 20 competition. I was also in the Copa Libertadores and Superliga. I’m currently the Bolivian National football team coach. I am at the same time the coach of a Venezuelan club, my contract will become official as of the beginning of December. I have 25 years of coaching experience”

Argentina and Colombia request friendly matches with Iran

The head of International Affairs of Iran Football Federation FFIRI confirmed the receipt of proposals to host friendly matches with Team Melli.

According to Homayra Asadi, head of the International Affairs Department of FFIRI , the Federation has announced that all correspondence and offers are submitted to the Football Federation through official mail. The FFIRI Administrators and the national team managers are looking forward to holding these matches.

She added that on this basis, the proposal to organize friendly matches against the national teams of Colombia and Argentina has been received by FFIRI. These proposals are being discussed as with other proposals. The important thing is that in the letter sent to FFIRI , the proposed date for the games is March 2019, after the conclusion of the Asian Cup 2019. Naturally, the review of such a proposal requires more time and it is important to take the necessary decisions in accordance with the opinion of the federation’s officials and the head coach of Team Melli. The decisions made in such cases are based on the national team’s plans and goals.

Iran and Colombia have never met at international level, while Team Melli faced Argentina twice the last of which was in FIFA World Cup 2014 when it was beaten by a superb Leo Messi last minute goal.

It is important to say that Iran’s football federation NEVER publishes annual program nor does it inform the media of future friendly games plans. More often than not , news and information on friendly games is originated from opposing side or their country’s media. Iran has also the highest number of  pre-arranged cancelled games.

It is also not known which coach will be consulted for matches in March 2019 , as Queiroz unstable On/OFF plans changes by the day and his failure in the AFC Asian Cup may very well be the end of his tenure with Team Melli.

Asian kings Iran fire at Morocco’s expense

(FIFA.com)

16 Sep 2016

Iran put their FIFA Futsal World Cup campaign back on track with a 5-3 Group F victory over Morocco in Medellin on Thursday.

The Asian champions, who suffered a surprisingly hefty 5-1 opening defeat against Spain on the opening matchday, belatedly found form.

After a slow start from both teams, Iran moved to a three-goal lead and they held a handy 4-2 margin at the break.

The match found its intensity and as the fouls mounted Morocco’s Mohamed Jaoud who, having scored the north Africans’ first goal, was sent for a stint on the sidelines allowing Iran to add two goals in quick succession.

The second half was a more controlled affair and Morocco, fighting for their Futsal World Cup lives, pushed Iran hard in the second period.

Iran scored soon after the interval but for much of the remainder of the half it was Morocco in the ascendency, leaving their opponents happy to counter-attack.

Morocco again drew within two goals of their rivals as captain Adil Habil netted his second of the night but it was to prove a bridge too far.

Iran will look to lock up passage to the Round of 16 on Sunday when they tackle enigmatic debutants Azerbaijan, while Morocco face a massive challenge against two-time world champions Spain.

 

Coliseo Ivan de BedoutMedellin (COL)

15 Sep 2016 – 20:00 Local time
Group matches – Group F
Iran    IRAN     MOROCCO    Morocco
FULL-TIME
5-3

SCORERS

SCORERS

Futsal teams departs to Bogota with great expectations.

Asian Futsal Champion, Iran departed to Bogota to participate in the FIFA Futsal World Cup Colombia 2016 with great expectation.

Iran goes into the FIFA Futsal World Cup with significant momentum, claiming the 2016 AFC Futsal Championship where they racked up an incredible 48 goals.  This is the sixth appearance for Futsal Team Melli in the World Cup which is now ranked in the top 5 teams in the FIFA Ranking.

Seyed Mohammad Nazemalsharieh will be hoping to lead his team to the final rounds of the competition after some sterling performances in the previous World Cup. Only two teams in the world had more participation in the FIFA Futsal World Cup than Iran’s 6 times. Both Brazil and Spain took part in 7 edition of the  FIFA  Futsal World Cup.

Reunion time 
Iran will be up against some familiar faces in the group stage of the FIFA Futsal World Cup Colombia 2016, where they will take on not just Spain but also Morocco, whom Tayebi and Co edged past four years ago. Their third opponents, meanwhile, will be somewhat more of an unknown quantity in Azerbaijan.

The Asian champions will once again be kicking off against Spain, on this occasion in Medellin on 12 September. Tayebi stressed that he and his team-mates will be gunning for victory in this heavyweight bout: “I can assure you that every time the Iranian national futsal team enter the pitch, we do so to win, because we’re among the world’s powerhouses in this sport. We respect the Spaniards but we want to win our first match in Colombia. Encounters between Spain and Iran are always spectacular and tight affairs, but we’re determined to get the win.”

“We know that Azerbaijan have a strong team, even though we’ve never faced them,” he continued. “The coaching staff have watched two of their games, though, and told us that they play some good stuff. As I said before, we play to win and that match will be no exception.”

Despite his confidence in his own side’s abilities, Tayebi is nevertheless mindful that several other countries have kicked on in recent years and so it will prove a tough task for Iran to achieve their goal of advancing to at least the last four.

“I think most teams’ level has improved, which means the competition will be stiff and there will be no easy games. There are no favourites on paper and every side will be made to work hard for wins.”

“We’re going to do our best to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup and play with heart. We respect all the other teams a great deal, but we’re determined to succeed.”

Shamsaei thanks God

Inspired by Shamsaee 
Tayebi is hopeful that the strike he bagged in Thailand four years ago will not be his last on the world stage, although collective glory remains his number-one target. “I was delighted to find the net against Spain. It was the most important goal of my career. Scoring at a World Cup is something unforgettable for any player,” he said, before quickly clarifying that, “As far as I’m concerned, the team’s success comes before my scoring statistics.”

“It’s exciting to see your name on the scoresheet in a World Cup match but, like I said, the team’s targets are more important. The fact that I’ve scored at a World Cup before shows that I can play my part within the group.”

In his eagerness to do his bit and perform his role with aplomb, Tayebi is inspired by the example of former Iran stars such as ex-national team captain Vahid Shamsaee, whom he described as “one of the best players in futsal history”.

“Vahid is a real legend and I have tremendous respect for him. He’s a great man who had a lot of success in his career. I’m proud to be his compatriot. I love the way he played and I’m going to try to follow in his footsteps by living long in all the Iranian fans’ memories.”

Colombia 2016 could provide the perfect platform for Tayebi to fulfil this dream by not just adding to his World Cup goal tally, but accomplishing something that not even the great Shamsaee was able to – helping his country through to the semi-finals of the global showpiece.

This year’s competition will be a total of 6 groups in the competition with each group having four teams. After the group stages, the top 2 teams from each group will proceed to the knockout stage along with the 4 highest ranked third place finishers.

Solid preparations 

 

11 times Asian Champion Iran team has been actively preparing for the FIFA Futsal World Cup for over 4 months and played several tough matches. In Mashad, Team Melli played two matches against fellow qualifiers Uzbekistan with convincing wins 3-0 and 6-3 for Iran. Earlier, Iran participated in a 4 nation Futsal tournament in Thailand, where they drew with Kazakhstan 3-3, lost to Thailand 7-5 and beat Japan 4-2.

 

Team Roster

 

1 Sepehr MOHAMMADI Goalkeeper 27 years old

2 Alireza SAMIMI Goalkeeper 29 years old

3 Ahmad ESMAEILPOUR Pivot 27 years old

4 Mohammad KESHAVARZ Defender 34 years old

5 Hamid AHMADI Defender 27 years old

6 Mohammadreza SANGSEFIDI Wing 26 years old

7 Ali HASSAN ZADEH Wing 28 years old

8 Ghodrat BAHADORI Wing 26 years old

9 Afshin KAZEMI Defender 29 years old

10 Mohammad TAHERI Wing 31 years old

11 Mehran ALIGHADR Wing 27 years old

12 Hossein TAYEBI Pivot 27 years old

13 Farhad TAVAKOLI Defender 27 years old

14 Mahdi JAVID Pivot 29 years old

 

Head Coach: Seyed  Mohammad NAZEMALSHARIEH (IRN) 46 years old

Assistant Coach: Mohammad  HASHEMZADEH (IRN) 39 years old

 

 

Intensive preparation for Futsal team ahead of the World Cup.

Team Melli Futsal is on the road to an a=intensive preparation program ahead of the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2016 in Colombia.   

After the completion of the fourth round of league matches, the squad of 14 players will be named for Team Melli Futsal on Tuesday 16th August. Next day , the squad will fly to Bangkok to take part in Thailand’s 4 nations Cup.  After playing against Kazakhstan , Japan & host Thailand in the tournament, the squad will return back to Tehran on 25th August .

 “After a short stop in Tehran, the squad will fly to Mashad to play Uzbekistan in a friendly. ” Ali Sanei , the teams’ Technical Manager announced yesterday. The teams will meet twice in Mashad.

Sanei added that the team has already set up a mini camp in Tehran the aim of which was to check on the physical conditions of the players and attend to any injuries as early as possible before flying to Colombia.” we will do our utmost best to ensure that the players are in the best physical and psychological shape during the next few weeks. We need to be at our best in the World Cup as our chances are quite high and players are well motivated for this championship.”

 

Fixture

20/8/2016
15.30 Iran – Kazakhstan –
18.15 Thailand – Japan –

21/8/2016
15.30 Japan – Kazakhstan –
18.15 Thailand – Iran –

23/8/2016
17.00 Iran – Japan –
19.45 Thailand – Kazakhstan –

 

 

FIFA Futsal World Cup Colombia 2016

Group F

Iran maintains Top FIFA ranking in Asia.

Iran climbed two places up in the latest FIFA ranking issued today.

After the European tour where Team Melli defeated Chile and then lost to Sweden , Iran’s ranking in the table improved to maintain the top position in Asian followed by Japan and South Korea. Australia , The AFC Asian Cup holder was ranked 4th.

At world level , World Cup holder Germany continues at the top followed by Argentina , Belgium , Colombia and Brazil.

 

AFC Teams Ranking

Rank Total Points Previous Points +/-   Avg. AVG WGT Avg. AVG WGT Avg. AVG WGT Avg.  AVG WGT
40 IRNIran 689(689.43) 692 2 336.87 336.87 439.32 219.66 250.48 75.14 288.80 57.76
50 JPNJapan 614(613.94) 617 3 335.96 335.96 213.61 106.81 392.56 117.77 267.01 53.40
57 KORKorea Republic 575(575.44) 594 -1 312.46 312.46 217.75 108.87 267.84 80.35 368.81 73.76
63 AUSAustralia 531(531.08) 549 2 272.17 272.17 240.62 120.31 192.79 57.84 403.82 80.76
68 UAEUnited Arab Emirates 501(500.59) 523 1 242.20 242.20 291.77 145.88 277.90 83.37 145.70 29.14
73 UZBUzbekistan 476(476.22) 483 -1 181.07 181.07 303.39 151.69 277.53 83.26 301.00 60.20
82 CHNChina PR 408(408.01) 423 1 245.50 245.50 132.40 66.20 131.43 39.43 284.41 56.88
86 IRQIraq 385(384.76) 353 11 218.68 218.68 119.25 59.63 150.88 45.26 305.95 61.19
95 KSASaudi Arabia 349(349.39) 339 4 118.20 118.20 297.06 148.53 149.41 44.82 189.20 37.84
97 OMAOman 341(341.11) 356 -1 124.70 124.70 242.23 121.11 173.89 52.17 215.63 43.13
99 QATQatar 337(336.65) 300 10 171.62 171.62 160.54 80.27 153.89 46.17 192.94 38.59
103 JORJordan 316(316.20) 326 -2 61.72 61.72 272.08 136.04 241.77 72.53 229.57 45.91
108 BHRBahrain 299(298.85) 319 -4 147.44 147.44 151.92 75.96 120.79 36.24 196.05 39.21
125 VIEVietnam 229(228.83) 220 5 96.12 96.12 119.71 59.86 61.37 18.41 272.19 54.44
126 SYRSyria 225(224.74) 141 26 131.58 131.58 85.69 42.85 86.70 26.01 121.51 24.30

Iran futsal loses to Colombia in Grand Prix 2014

Futsal Team Melli wasted a great chance of reaching the final of the 2014 Futsal Grand Prix in Brazil when they lost a tight match 3-4 to Colombia earlier today.

An elementary defensive mistake led the Colombians robbing the ball from Iran’s defense for Toro to put Colombia ahead 1-0. Hassanzadeh then equalized for Iran with a brilliant effort to make it 1-1.

Acosta restored Colombia’s lead courtesy of some good work on the right flank with the Colombian player skillfully dribbling past his marker and sending a diagonal ball for Acosta to score with an acute angle.

The first half finished 2-1 for Colombia.

The South Americans quickly scored in the second half with Iran’s defense really found wanting with Yeffri easily passing his marker and scoring past Samimi much like the second goal.

It was 3-1 for Colombia and a shock went through Team Melli system

Iran bounced back quite instantly. From the kick off after the Colombian goal, Tavakoli scored from an excellent assist by Hassanzadeh to make it. 3-2. Tavokali’s goal increase inspired Iran who took the game from the Colombians.

Hassanzadeh turned from provider to scorer on a role reversal from the previous goal. Tavokali took a corner kick which the Colombian keeper could only parry with his palm for Hassanzadeh to meet it and smash the equalizer from close range. The match was tied at 3-3 and it was in balance.

Then one of the weirdest of goals seals the match.

Colombian keeper kicked a ball towards Iran’s empty goal, but the goal hit the post to ricochet for Yeffri who raced towards Iran’s goal  to smash home the winner for Colombia.

It was a tight and exciting match, with the Colombians fully deserving the victory. Team Melli’s shortcoming was the feeble marking with two of the goals scored by the Latin Americans were because of poor marking and players being easily dribbled.  

Iran will now meet Guatemala for the 3rd place play off. In the Group Match , Iran defeated Guatemala 7-2.

Brazil will meet Colombia in the final , a repeat of their group 1 match which ended 4-0 to the host.

 

Goals clips here

 

Grand Prix 201415/11/2014 – 12.00 Local Time
São Bernardo do Campo/SP (Brazil)

Iran – Colombia
3 – 4  (1 – 2)
Match details:

Semi-FinalHall: Ginasio Adib Moises Dib

Goals:
Iran: Ali Asghar Hassanzadeh , Farhad Tavakoli, Ali Asghar Hassanzadeh, 
Colombia:  Toro , Acosta ,  Yeffri (2)
************
Starting Line-up:
AliReza Samimi
Ali Asghar Hassanzadeh
Abolghasem Orouji
Farhad Tavakoli
Hossein Tayyebi