Year: 2014

List of Portugal camp players revealed.

The list of players considered for the Team Melli training camp in Portugal has been unofficially revealed.

The list was sent to the embassy of Portugal for Visa application , and someone has got hold of the list and distributed it.

Esteghlal had the lion share of players included with 7 followed by Sepahan Esfahan with 4. Persepolis has two players only however , the names of another two Hossein Mahini and Payam Sadeghian is also included despite restrictions and bans imposed on them!.

The legionnaires players will also be added to the list , despite the fact that the their clubs will not release them unless they are in FIFA Day duties and for a maximum of 3 days.

 

Players invited are as follows:
Esteghlal : Omid Ebrahimi, Yaghoub Karimi, Khosro Heydari, Mohsen Frouzan , Ando Teymourian . Amirhossein Sadeghi , Hashim Beikzadeh (7)

Sepahan: MohammadReza Khalatbary, Rahman Ahmadi, Mehdi Sharifi, Shoja’a Khalilzadeh (4)

Foolad Khuzestan : Sourosh Rafei , Mehrdad jama’ati , Ahmad Abdullahzadeh (3)

Naft Tehran: Alireza Birnavand , Pouraliganji.(2)

Persepolis : Sousha Makani , Reza Haghighi , (Payam Sadeghaian & Hossein Mahini conditional to Military Service)  (2+2)

Tractorsazi: Ahamad Ale Nemeh (1)
Zob Ahan: Ghassim Haddadifar (1)

 

Team Melli will be setting camp in Portugal around 10th October. According to the FFIRI , there will be playing 3 friendly games with yet to be confirmed teams. The camp is the first stage of preparation for the AFC Asian Cup 2015 Australia. Iran group rivals have started preparation 3 months ago conducting training camps and playing friendly matches.

Deputy Minister “It is better not to participate in the Olympic Qualifiers with this team”

Deputy Minister for Youth and Sport said that the sports federations whose results were well below expectation are themselves accountable for their performances in the Asian Games. Nasrollah Sajjadi, speaking on a TV show on Friday , earmarked the FFIRI for special mention criticizing the poor performance of the football team. “If this is all what the footballers can offer, then I see no point of this team competing in the preliminaries of the Rio Olympic Games. “

“Other countries reap the awards of their hard work. The football federation is solely responsible for this team and it is obvious that this team was not prepared well.  Being third in a 3 team group is not exactly a matter of bad luck either.”

Iran’s u-23 team was eliminated from the group stages of the Asian Games for the first time in decades after losing to Vietnam 4-1 and drawing with Kyrgyzstan. None of these two teams in Iran’s group made it beyond the next round, which magnifies the ghastly performance by the U-23 team coached by Nelo Vingada.

Ali Karimi is appointed as an assistant to Team Melli head coach.

 The Ex-Tractorsazi player has announced his retirement from football last season and attempts a few days back by Hamid Derkhshan to bring him back to play for Persepolis at the age of 36 has failed.

The appointment of Ali Karimi , who is not a certified or professionally qualified coach nor attended an approved coaching course, has surprised many especially since the FFIRI was counting on having a strong presence of national coaches at the bench of Team Melli beside the foreigners that Queiroz depends on.

It is not clear what role Karimi will play in Team Melli as his presence cannot add any technical value to a team of coaches that Queiroz has at his disposal. The most probable scenario is that Queiroz and Kaffashian, using Karimi’s popularity, has planned this appointment as a formality to silence the growing critics of Queiroz who has been identified as a person who has little respect for domestic Iranian football.

Last time, FFIRI has forced Queiroz to appoint an Iranian domestic coach, resulted in the ex-Esteghlal coach Majid Saleh to be assigned. In what was a clear maneuver by the Portuguese coach to frustrate Salih , and a show defiance to  FFIRI , Queiroz cynically got rid of him by ordering Salih to leave the bench during a friendly match in the Austrian camp and watch the match from the stands! Saleh in protest against such insult refused such intimidating act and preferred to tender his resignation rather than be abused by the coach who simply does not want him.

Appointment of Karimi is yet another of Iranian only football peculiarities the likes of which can only happen in the chaotic football administration. Ali Karimi, a person who always claimed high values and chivalry, must know that his appointment is nothing short of a farce and a facade. Realizing the availability of so many qualified and experienced Iranian coaches as candidates for Team Melli, Karimi stated  the following “I apologize for all the Iranian coaches who thought that they will be selected for Team Melli”. Perhaps , that sums Karimi’s attitude and Iran’s football in general.

Although the contribution of Karimi in the technical affairs of terms is highly unlikely, let us hope that his presence on the bench can at least offer a moral support and helps to brings the AFC Asian Cup back to Iran after 40 years, a feat that Ali Karimi could not achieve in 3 attempts as a player.

Kaffashian ” I will be honored to be ousted from my position!”

Ali Kaffashian has stated that it is an honor to be ousted from his position as the President of the FFIRI by the General Assembly!

The comment by Kaffashian was in response to Amir Abedini who has started a move to dislodge Kaffashian from his position citing amongst various issues, the poor management and administration of the federation, poor planning and lack of strategic outlook  , bad results by National football Teams representing the country.

“I welcome such a move, in fact , I will even show them how to do it (…) It needs 15 representatives to declare the no-confidence vote and if that quota is reached , then it will be my honor to be removed”.

Commenting on the results of youth teams, Kaffashian claimed that “Iran teams have not played so badly in the recent tournaments. We are not after results, in any case. Admittedly, the other Asian Teams have worked quite hard.”

Kaffashian reiterated the admission of committing a mistake in the arrangement of Iran’s U23 squad to Asian Games. “Originally we planned to send the U21 team to Incheon, but due to a last minute decision change, we added a few older players. This has disrupted the team rhythm”

“We are supposed to upkeep this U21 team and prepare it for the Olympics qualifiers. If we wanted to send this team to Incheon, where most of the opponents are sending their full strength teams, it would  have been an unfair competition (…) !”

“Our aim is to keep Vingada until the Olympics. God willing, we will arrange a few friendly games to assess his work with the squad. After the analysis and review of those games, we will decide on our future relationship with Vingada.”

Kaffashian confirmed that Team Melli players, who have been suspended by the authorities for holding fake Military Service Release Certificates, will not be invited to Team Melli. The Head of FFIRI also confirmed that he will not interfere with Queiroz selection or lack of in regards to Aghili and Rahmati.

Ali Kaffashian is known for his contentious and controversial statements. Some amount of tongue-in-cheek is usually attached to his statements to add fun , according to his justification. However, he is going beyond the border of professionalism and authenticity by these latest statements. Not only is he covering the trues facts of the events, he is making a mockery of his position by sheer lack of knowledge or deceitful whatever the case might be.

 No team is allowed to field more than 3 over-aged players in the Asian Games that has an age restriction of U23. Kaffashian’s statement that the other teams are fielding their full strength team is quite misleading. The last minute change of mind of the federation which led to replacing 7 players, was enforced by the Iranian Olympic Committees (IOC) policy that mandates teams/athletes representing  Iran in Asian and Olympic Games must stand a chance of winning a medal. The Asian and the Olympic Games have never been a trial fields for athletes as Kaffashian is suggesting.

The Irony of all this is that Kaffashian , being an ex-executive of IOC , should have known this fact!

Kaffashian’s statement that he will be honored to be dislodged from his position is as zany as they come!  Who, in his right mind, will be honored to be kicked out of his job?

 In hindsight, it will be an honor for all Iranian fans if he is actually removed or replaced but given a decent farewell party and a thank you for a job that was not very well done. Someone else, less talkative more industrious, a strong leader, knowledgeable decision-making, a veteran in sports administration should be given the opportunity to turn the fortunes of football in Iran.

Ali Hamoudi and Hossein Mahini suspended from football activities.

Persian Gulf Football league commission has announced today that Hossein Mahini of Persepolis and Ali Hamoudi of Sepahan are suspended from football activities in the league as the result of the finding by the appropriate authorities confirmed that the players’ Military Service Release Certificates are void and improperly issued based on false data.

Until such time these two players sort their status, they cannot play for their clubs in the league or any official competitions.

Hamoudi and Mahini are amongst a long list of footballers that have been discovered to be carrying Military service release certificates issued upon provision of false information to the authorities. The investigation has been going on for several months now and the verdict is yet another blow for the already tarnished image of Iran’s football.

 In another development related to the same issue, it is rumored that Arash Afshin is amongst 4 players who are taken into custody in Ahvaz, Khuzestan in relation with falsifying official government documents for the purpose of defrauding the public and the government. There was no confirmation from the clubs or other official sources.

Bakhtiyar Rahmani is another player who is also mentioned in this list; He is currently injured but faces the same castigation as the rest of the players who are found to be guilty of fraud.

Hossein Mahini , Bakhtiyar Rahmani , Ali Hamoudi and Arash Afshin are all current or former Team Melli players.

The expected shock : Iran U23 elimnated from the Asian Games.

In what is probably the worst day for Iran’s football in decades, the elimination of the football team from the Asian Games men’s football competition was confirmed after Vietnam defeated Kyrgyzstan 1-0 this morning. With this result, Vietnam (6 points) and Kyrgyzstan (1 point) have qualified for the next round while Iran is out on goal difference.

The last time Iran was eliminated from the group stages was in the Asian Games Hiroshima, Japan in 1994 when Iran marginally failed to qualify after winning 1 match drawing 2 and losing 1.

The Asian Games regulations requires the teams or the individual to leave the Games accommodation within 24 hours, but an angry reaction from under pressure Kaffashian and the Iranian IOC , resulted in orders for the football team to leave the Olympic Village immediately and catch the first plane home.

The inquest in this shameful exit will no doubt be carried out, but we seriously doubt that anyone or any group will take the blame or accept accountability. The coach Nelo Vingada accepted the blame for the defeat but already declared that he will not resign!

Kaffashian has stated that other teams are getting stronger, which pretty much means that Iran can be defeated by any Asian team so there is no need to get excited about defeats, if one accepts Kaffashians mentality!

In the midst of all this, the real effect is on the fans of team Melli who passionately follow and support their teams but in return, they all getting abysmal results followed by a thorough packages of justifications from the “Merchants  of Speech and Preaching ”.

 

Iran Football performances in the Asian Gems Men Football competition.

1951 New Delhi, India                – Silver Medal

1954 Manila , Philippines            – DNP

1958 Tokyo, Japan                    – Eliminated from group stage (Worst ever results)

1966 Bangkok, Thailand               – Eliminated from group stage 

1970 Bangkok, Thailand               – Eliminated from group stage

1974 Tehran, Iran                    – Gold Medal

1978 Bangkok, Thailand               – DNP

1982 New Delhi, India                – Quarter Finals ( lost to Kuwait 0-1)

1986 Seoul, South Korea              – Quarter Finals ( lost to S. Korea on penalties)

1990 Beijing, China                  – Gold Medal

1994 Hiroshima, Japan                – Eliminated from group stage   (5 points in 5 team group)

1998 Bangkok, Thailand               – Gold Medal

2002 Busan, South Korea              – Gold Medal

2006 Doha, Qatar                     – Bronze Medal

2010 Guangzhou, China                – Fourth place

2014 Incheon, South Korea            -Eliminated from group stage   

Vingda “I accept all the blame , I apologize but will not resign”

Nelo Vingada , the Portuguese head coach of Iran’s Olympic (U-23) team, accepted all the blame for his team’s disastrous performances and said “It is no one’s fault but mine. I accept all the blame , I apologize . I know that this is the worst result of Iran in the history of the Asian Games , but I will not resign!”

Vingada was talking to the Iranian news agency reporter ISNA  in Incheon after what seems to be a certain exit by Iran’s Football team from the Asian Games. Iran has one point from a draw against Kyrgyzstan and a humiliating 4-1 defeat by Vietnam. Iran’s only hope is for Vietnam to beat  Kyrgyzstan by a 4 goal margin.

When asked by the reporter about the shortfalls of the team, the head coach provided no better answer other than to say that “These things happen in football. This football is the only sport that such unexpected results can occur!”

Vingada , who according to his compatriot Carlos Queiroz statement after the heavy loss against Vietnam, “knows his  job very well” , mentioned nothing about his team’s diabolical defending , lack of teamwork and team spirit , poor finishing by star players , selfish player’s attitude who were playing for themselves rather than the team and loads of other factors that were so vividly lacking in this team.

“I have picked this squad myself. I was under the impression that we will be working with the U-21 team “ Vingada said. Since 1996 only 23 years old players with three over-23 players were allowed per squad in the Olympic Games and subsequently followed in the Asian Games as of after 1998 games . It is not clear how Vingada got this idea of the U21 team or whether it was intentional.

“I know that a lot of people are very upset by the team results , it was so clear from the reaction that we heard. I am quite shocked myself by these bad results. At least I can tell you that there are some good players in the squad who have a good future and people should be proud of them (…)!”

Asked to comment about the ugly scene at the end of the Vietnam match involving defender Khanzadeh after he was awarded the 2nd yellow card and a dismissal, Vingada’s response was   “I was so shocked by his attitude and had a long talk with him. He regretted his action. It is easy to talk about it outside the game, but when you are losing by such a margin and you hear the opposition ( a Vietnamese player) swear at you , one would lose his temper and do such things.”

This is the icing on the cake for this supposedly experienced coach. Instead of condemning that shameful act by Khanzadeh , he is justifying it. There is no remorse detected in his statement either!

Another humiliation: Iran U23 on the brink of elimination from Asian Games

Iran U23 team once again disillusioned the fans and failed to win against modest Kyrgyzstan. The match in Group H of the Asian Games Incheon 2014 ended 1-1. Iran has 1 point from two games, Vietnam leading the group with 3 points after defeating Iran 4-1.

In today’s match , which Iran needed to win handsomely to increase its chances of qualifying , the team played like a group of misfits which was assembled in haste. The team was not able to mount any real threat against inferior opposition on paper and ranking let alone pedigree and history.

The match started quite well for Iran U23 . The first 10 minutes was completely dominated by Iran Olympic Team. The ball hardly crossed the half line into Iran side, however, Mosalman lovely strike from just inside the box was the only real threat of this period. That shot was parried by the Kyrgyz keeper. The remaining period was full of Iranian huff and puff but there was hardly any serious threat on Kyrgyzstan keeper. Most of the offensive moves by Iran was at best , quite toothless. With the match progressing , it did not take long for the coaches of Kyrgyzstan to realize how to defend well and mount counter attacks.

The first half ended 0-0.

In the second half, much of the first half scenario was repeating itself with the exception that Kyrgyzstan was getting bolder in attack and starting to threaten Iran’s goal . They could have stunned everyone when the Kyrgyz forward was one on one but failed to finish. 

Iranian offensive moves were mainly some shy attempts by Kaveh Rezaei whose shots were more like practice for the Kyrgyzstan keeper. The other poster boy, Mehdi Sharifi was incognito.!

With the match approaching the last 10 minutes and Iran desperate for a goal,  a corner was given which Mohsen Mosalman masterfully took and delivered on the top of Pouraliganji’s head. The tall midfielder headed to the far corner of the net and scored triggering an ecstatic Iranian celebration and deep sigh of relief on the bench. Pouraliganji’s goal came in the 77th minute.

Two minutes from the end , Kyrgyzstan struck and struck well. A long cross from a foul from the left found a Kyrgyzstan player with ample time to control the ball and head towards the goal. Despite the presence of 3 markers, the ball passed the goal line to register the equalizer for Kyrgyzstan. It was a deserving goal for this modest team, but well-organized and hardworking.

Iran’s football is on the brink of a real humiliation. The Continents most celebrated country in Asian Games football is virtually out of the tournament, unless you believe in miracle s and Saints rising to help this toothless team with clueless coaching staff.

Never in the history of Asian Games football, Iran faced such a degradation, but under the administration of Ali Kaffashian , such fiascoes and bitter defeats should not be too shocking.  It is certainly not too shocking for Kaffashian as he thought of Vietnam as a strong team and was perhaps was at loss at what all this fuss is about, we only lost 4-1 to Vietnam!

And now…….let the excuses begin….

4 up for Team Melli in FIFA Ranking

Team Melli climbed 4 place up  in the September 2014 FIFA ranking to 44th place .

Iran is one place below Montenegro and 1 above Albania which has just shocked Portugal at home in the opening European Championship qualifiers.  The 4 places climb is an improvement on last month 1 place drop.

Iran also regained the top rank in Asia followed by Japan which as dropped 4 places in world ranking.

 

FIFA RANKING 

Asian Zone

 

September 2014

Rnk Zon. Rnk Team Pts +/- Pos
44 1 Iran 572 4 Up
48 2 Japan 557 -4 Down
58 3 Uzbekistan 530 -7 Down
63 4 Korea Republic 501 -6 Down
69 5 Jordan 450 -13 Down
73 6 United Arab Emirates 430 -8 Down
76 7 Oman 421 -9 Down
82 8 Saudi Arabia 402 1 Up
84 9 Australia 390 -5 Down
90 10 Iraq 357 1 Up
96 11 Qatar 342 -4 Down
97 12 China PR 341 0 Equal
102 13 Palestine 311 -14 Down
104 14 Bahrain 305 3 Up
121 15 Lebanon 264 -6 Down
124 16 Kuwait 250 -13 Down
134 17 Philippines 218 -6 Down
135 18 Afghanistan 214 -6 Down
136 19 Tajikistan 213 -16 Down
141 20 Turkmenistan 197 -4 Down