There wasn’t much doubt as to what type of football we would be expecting to see from Carlos Queiroz men against Nigeria. It wasn’t much of a spectacle for the avid football fans but Queiroz has to be credited for achieving what he planned in the first place. The coach decided to play a strong defensive game and that game-plan was executed to perfection by his players and it worked. Mission accomplished.
We are still gauging the reaction of the fans, however in the early stages, we can feel the disappointment of many who felt that Nigeria was there for the taking, and Iran did not capitalized on it. With only two offensive players in the entire lineup in Ghoochannejad and Dejagah (substituted by Jahanbakhsh in 78th minute), the possibilities of rattling the strong Nigerians defenders was not an easy task. Ghoochannejad managed it once only and that was on a corner kick. That is about as much real threat that Iran created on Nigeria throughout the game.
The Nigerians were not the power nor even the threat that were hyped to be, mostly by the English press who are familiar with their players making their living in the Premiere league. While Team Melli was certainly much worse than their average , once the ball left the organized defense line.
While in the middle of the field, Nekounam and Teymourian did a sterling job on defensive duties both operating as holding midfielders, Hajsafy for most of the match was incognito , while Ashkan Dejagah , a key player with so much hope built upon him , played his worst game in a Team Melli shirt.
Under such circumstances, expecting the isolated Ghoochannejad to single handedly wreck the Nigerians was a tall order despite the fact that the Charlton Athletic forward performed quite well and managed to be a menace with his quick turns and accelerations while creating the only real threat heading the ball resulting in a terrific save by Vincent Enyeama.
Route 1 football straight from the defense to the forward line that Iran tried a few times did not work for Team Melli.
Despite the fact that Team Melli under Queioz game plan , achieved what they were hoping for , we need to be realistic and be critical to their overall game. Poor and incomplete passing was the obvious shortfall of the team. While Nigeria was cleverly moving the ball and with confidence, Team Melli could not complete more than a 3 or 4 passes, especially in the first 30 minutes of the game. World Cup phobia was in evidence. And then ‘Hail Mary’ balls, referred to as “Ali Asghari” football in Iran , was also a sign of desperation or panic at times. Some aimless cleared balls towards the Nigerian side hoping that one reaches the lone striker of Team Melli, never paid dividends. Almost all such balls, were intercepted by the Nigerians.
We do have to commend the tight and organized Team Melli defense as the real star of this match. In fact, with players like, Emmanuel Emenike, Victor Moses, Shola Ameobi and Peter Odemwingie , Nigeria at least on paper , has a real potent strikers force with skills that can turn match results . The excellence of Team Melli back 5 defenders was as such, that the inexperienced Alireza Haghighi was hardly tested. Incidentally , Haghighi in goal is one surprise by Queiroz who is hardly known to take such risks. We may never know why he opted for the Russian club Rubin Kazan keeper, who did not manage a single appearance for his club before transferring to a second division Portuguese club Sporting da Covilhã and finally being able to play 12 competitive matches in two seasons. It will be interesting to hear Queiroz’s thought about Haghighi’s starting role in goal. Chances are that Ahmadi might had cold feet or stage fright and Queiroz have felt it and opted for the younger keeper.
A special mention should also be given to Team Melli aerial supremacy. Hosseini and Sadeghi were controlling the airspace in defense with forceful power of Tomcat F14’s of the Iranian Air force.
Expecting Queiroz to change his game plan and be bolder in the next match against the might of Argentina, is probably not forthcoming. Iran will stick to what they do best and will be out there on June 21st to frustrate the trio of Messi , Aguero and Higuain. Teymourian and Nekounam defending from deep, while the 5 man Iran defensive system clearing every ball and doubling on Messi and Co. Iran’s only hope of making a difference offensively is still lies upon Ashkan Dejagah shoulders. His form will be the catalyst up front and in offensive moves. If he is contained by the Argentine midfielders, the job of Iran will be that much harder on all fronts. In his good day, we can see him beating the slow Argentine defenders for pace and skill to provide the ammunition for Gucci or score one of his wonder goals.
