Iran U-17 bid farewell to the FIFA U-17 World Cup after losing 4-1 to Nigeria in Al Ain today.

The African champions scored 3 times in the first half and added a fourth in the second while Iran scored a consolation late in the second from a beautiful; volley bi Gholozadeh.

The Nigerians began the match very strongly and stamped their authority on the game from the first quarter of the match. It took Iran some time to settle. The consistent attacks by the skillful Nigerians resulted in two quick goals on the 23 and 25^th minutes scored by   Samuel OKON (23′) and   Kelechi IHEANACHO (25′)  before   Musa MUHAMMED (42′) put the game beyond Iran’s reach with the third goal.

Iran was hopelessly outclassed in this half with the Nigerians showing some beautiful touches, lethal finishing and surprising stronger physical strength.

The second half started with Iran looking for a quick responses, but the erroneous passes and some route one football failed to make any inroads towards the Nigerian goal. The Africans however , looked like they were satisfied by the result and conserving energy for the next round , preferring to see the Iranians doing the attack.

However , Iran could not score and only one serious chance was created which was saved by the extended arms of the Nigerian keeper. TO make the matters worst for Iran , Musa YAHAYA  score Nigeria’s 4^th in the 76 minute.

Iran scored the consolation by Ali GHOLIZADEH (84′) however, it was not enough to threaten the superiority of the Nigerians who were one class above Iran in every department.

© Getty Images

Three-time champions Nigeria had no trouble with Iran at the Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain racking up three goals in the first half en route to a 4-1 scoreline. The result sets up a quarter-final date for the Nigerians with Uruguay, a game in which they will likely be missing two of their best attackers – Kalechi Iheanacho and Success Isaac – through injury.

Nigeria came out all guns blazing in the opening seconds. Iheanacho, who scored four goals in the opener on this very pitch, fired a vicious shot from the corner of the penalty area inside the first minute that only just flew over the bar. It wasn’t long after that Chidiebere Nwakali raced through midfield on the end of an elegant heel flick from Zaharaddeen Bello. His shot from way out, however, also went over the goal.

The pressure was mounting on Iran, who’d been so sturdy up to this point in the competition. Nigeria were attacking up both flanks and crossing dangerously, but the storm subsided and Iran began to get some touches on the ball. And when Nwakali tried to dribble the ball out of defence, he was stripped by Mohammad Bazaj, whose effort from a tight angle after 21 minutes was the Iranian’s first chance of the half.

All that did was make the Nigerians angry. The Eaglets were into the lead just seconds later when Musa Yahaya pulled off an outrageous move to leave his man for dead at the edge of the penalty area. He sent in a low diagonal ball to Samuel Okon, who sliced in from a tight angle. Two minutes later it was 2-0 for the Africans. Taiwo Awoniyi, on for the injured Success Isaac, pulled the ball across the 18-yard line for Iheanacho, who dispatched his fifth goal of the tournament. It would be the impressive No10’s last action, as he pulled his hamstring shortly after and signaled for a substitute.

Captain Musa Muhammed grabbed a third goal for Nigeria five minutes from the interval, taking advantage of some slack marking to burst into the area and score to make it 3-0 at the break.

The second half lacked the total attacking sparkle of the first, but the Nigerians remained in full control. In the 78th minute, Yahaya dropped his shoulder brilliantly again – pulling out his signature move – before firing low into the corner from 25 yards. Iran managed a consolation goal six minutes from time. Substitute Ali Gholizadeh scored from the edge of the box with the Nigerian defenders suffering from a bit of understandable complacency. It was clearly too little too late for Iran though, as Nigeria’s dominant performance will likely send a chill up the spine of Uruguay, who they will meet in the last eight.

Al Ain (UAE)

After leading his team to the last 16 of the FIFA U-17 World Cup , Ali Doustimehr said that the match against Nigeria is an early final for them “We have not come here to this championship to leave empty handed. Our goal is to win and and make it all the way to the finals.”

In the pre-match press conference , Iran U-17 coach said “Nigeria is a strong team from every aspect , be it physical , mental and tactical. They have won several titles at this level and will be aiming to continue their championship trail. We will be facing a tough task , but that does not mean much to us as we have to give it our best regardless to whom we face.”

Asked whether there was any request by Iran to double check the age of the Nigerian players as many reports have indicated the possibility of Nigeria fielding over-aged players, Doustimehr said “That is FIFA’s duty. These championship is held every two years and FIFA has the necessary tools to control the validity of players’ ages. As far as I am concerned , the result of the match is the pitch not in the corridors of power. We will leave FIFA to decide on any outcome in these matters”

Mano Gabra, the Nigerian coach warned his team against complacency against Iran. “If we we make such mistake , we might end up stunned like Argentina found out playing against Iran.”

“Nigeria has won 3 titles and were runners up 3 times. The people of Nigerian are expecting a lot from us and we have to deliver.

Iran and Nigeria will be p[laying in Al Ain today for a place in the quarter finals of the FIFA U-17 Championship. Iran will be wearing their white Jersey while Nigeria is wearing their traditional green outfit.

FIFA has announced that the knock out stages will not have extra time in case of a tie in the regulation time of 90 minutes, a draw will lead to penalty kicks without the extra 30 minutes being played. FIFA attributed this change of rule to the possibility pf physical exhaustion of players at this age level.

Iran won the third place play off against Paraguay in the 2013 Grand Prix. While Brazil won the title after defeating Russia in the final match on penalty kicks. The match ended 2-2 in regular time , and 3-3 in the extra time.

Team Melli did not have much problem winning 6-2 against the South Americans who have earlier given Brazil a tough time in the semi finals.

Iran finished the first half comfortably ahead with a 3-0 result.

Ghodrat Bahadori , one of the stars of Iran futsal team in this championship scored 4 goals for Iran , while Farhad Fakhim and Javad Asghari scored the other two.

Richard Mendoza and Gabriel Ayala scored Paraguay goals.

Grand Prix 201327/10/2013 – 07.00 Local Time Maringá (Brazil) Iran – Paraguay 6 – 2  (3 – 0)

Match details: Hall: Ginásio Chico Neto

Las Palmas midfielder blames the 18 HOURS RETURN JOURNEY AFTER PLAYING FOR TEAM MELLI

Team Melli’s midfielder Masoud Shojaei complained about what he referred to as “ten days of  training to play a single game!” and the differences of style and training regime between country and club (Team Melli and UD Las Palmas ) . “The training sessions we conducted back home were all in the afternoon  with a football style more direct and physical than I am used to, while on return to Gran Canaria it is completely different style & ENVIROMENT hence it is sometimes difficult to adapt “. Shojaei, however,   admitted that as a “professional football player“ he must adapt to such differences and make the necessary adjustments.

Masoud Shojaei has acknowledged that he played last Sunday “one of the worst games of his life”. The UD Las Palmas midfielder was referring to the match against Real Murcia which ended goalless despite the visitors were a man short from the 25th minute.

The Iranian international explained the possible reasons for his poor form. “ I did not feel comfortable , but I assure everyone that I will play a lot better. Perhaps it was the long journey of nearly 18 hours after playing for Iran and the different mentality and tactics used by Team Melli under coach Carlos Queiroz .

Masoud was complaining of the ten days training camp to play a single game! Practicing in the afternoons, with a football style more direct and physical.  “There is no hiding that UD should improve in the finishing and next Sunday the team has a good chance in Gijon , against Sporting “ Masoud said about the next match. “We can win that match.” Masoud believes that ” not much difference exists between teams from the Liga Adelante, but how you play the Asturian team , very different from the last opponent, but admits it will be ” a difficult game ” .

Masoud Shojaei , had a dreadful season in which he had great difficulty reaching form since he recovered from his long term injury. Despite all the weak performances, Queiroz obstinately insisted on including him in the squad and going one better by playing the Midfielder as a fix starter to the detriment of other much better and in form players.  For his poor form displayed in all of Team Melli matches, the fans in Azadi singled him out for boos and shouting vulgarities while demanding his exclusion from Team Melli.   While Carlos Queiroz is the accountable person for consistently allowing an under-performing player with fitness and form issues to play, the coach was hardly questioned about his reasons, leaving the player getting the wrath of the fans.

Carlos Queiroz , who time and again has shown little tolerance for any criticism from the press & media, he has been even less tolerance for complaining players. After standing by the lackluster Shojaei , as  it seemed that he (Queiroz) was the only one believing that shojaei is capable to deliver while the ex-Osasuna player never reproduced any of his pervious form in TeamMelli games, it will be interesting to see the reaction of the Portuguese coach on reading this short interview and the complaints by Shojaei.

Will he join Rahmati and Aghili in his black book or not is interesting for many observers.