Year: 2015

History of Iran vs. Bahrain

The tiny Persian Gulf Island state of Bahrain , has given Iran quite a few problems in football matches.

In 1974 during the Asian games , Bahrain came to Tehran not so much to challenge the Big Boys of Asia , but more to learn how the masters of the continent play their football. A 6-0 drubbing against a Team Melli which had a large number of reserves players in the team , was the beginning of what looked like a long domination by mighty Iran.

However, the first shock to the Iranians came in 2000 in Syria, when Bahrain defeated team Melli in Damascus during the Asian Cup 2000 qualifiers, thus recording the first setback of Team Melli against the minnows. Despite winning 7 out of 16 matches played between the two, Iran’s record against Bahrain can hardly be described as dominant and assured.

The worst  result for Team Melli must have been the 3-1 defeat in Bahrain , when Iran needed just a draw to make it to the finals of the World Cup in 2002. This left a permanent mark in the ego of Team Melli and the fans especially since some Bahrain players did carried out unsportsmanship act by carrying the Saudi Arabian flag on their victory march at the end of the match.

This is only the 2nd time that the teams meet in the AFC Asian Cup finals. The first , back in 2004 in Workers Stadium , Beijing, China was the third place play off where Team Melli scored a 4-2 victory against the best team that Bahrain ever produced in its history.

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Quotes

Hadi Tabatabaei , Former Team Melli goalkeeper ” Bahrain is not going to be an easy team to defeat. One of the advantages of our team is their fighting spirit than can come to our advantage.”

“Since it is the first game of the competition , we need to tread carefully and ensure that we have strong defensive. We should not allow their players much maneuvering space. From what I have seen of other teams, our task is going b e quite hard to make it all the way, but let us not forget one of our strongest attributes and that is our fighting spirit .”

Vahid Talebloo, Former Team Melli goalkeeper “Our biggest advantage is the solid defense. We have performed very well in this area during the World Cup and since the standards in the Asian Cup is not as high as the World Cup , we should be doing fine. First matches always have this intriguing feel to it and can spring surprises. We did will in our first match against Nigeria in the World Cup and that gave us a boost for the nest against Argentina. We need to repeat that in Australia”

“I think we can make it to the finals but that is not going to be an easy job at all. There are so many strong teams in this edition and it is very difficult to pick a winner at this stage. We have the resolve, the quality and the willpower to make it all the way. the boys need to focus and do their best.”

Mahmoud Fekri , former Team Melli defender ” We must defeat Bahrain to have any chance of qualifying ti the next round. If we fail to qualify , then this is a real wake up call for Iran’s football and a disaster in making.”

“The normal cliché of the first match difficulties still applies, but the quality and standard of Iranian football is way above Bahrain’s despite this team being a stubborn opponent for us. If we have any aspiration , any claims for lifting the title , we have to win such matches. Let us not forget that our neighbors on the other side of the Persian Gulf , are progressing steadily and firmly in football. They have managed to build strong teams and are in the top ranks of Asian football.”

Mehdi Foonoonizadeh , Former Team Melli midfielder ” Considering the current team status and the poor preparation, I seriously doubt that our Team, Melli will be among the top 4 in this competition.”

“I also have virtually no hope of Team Melli lifting the trophy. In order to make the grade, the team should have had a proper program with as  many friendly games as possible starting way back. This team has not had such preparation and all that the coaching staff have done is to summarize a six months work in two-week of intensive physical training in South Africa and Australia. You cannot substitute proper training by intensified two weeks hard labour camp. One other problem in the team is the high average age of the players compared to other teams. We have not really embarked in renewing the blood in our Team Melli in earnest. I hope that Queiroz starts doing that in Australia.”

“Japan and then Australia , are the two strongest candidates for the championship. ”

 

Mohammed Hussain , Bahrain Captain and central defender “The difference in standards between Bahrain and Iran is marginal. However , we still have to play to our best level against Iran else it will be difficult for us.  We have several players playing in professional leagues out of Bahrain , many of them in Qatar where a number of Iranian national team players are also playing. We have a good knowledge about them and hopefully such knowledge will help us to gain the right result tomorrow.”

 

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Betting odds

Iran Win Draw Bahrain Win
1.62 3.5 6.25

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Match Details.

Iran vs. Bahrain

AFC Asian Cup 2015 – Group ‘C’

09:00 (GMT) – 12:30 (Tehran)

Rectangular Stadium , Melbourne.

Referee: Benjamin Williams (Australia)

Past records Head to Head 

H / A / N Matches W D L Goals + / –
Home 6 5 1 0 19 – 0 +19
Away 5 0 2 3 4 – 9 -5
Neutral 5 2 2 1 7 – 3 +4
Total 16 7 5 4 30 – 12 +18

 

Date Comp. H / A / N Final score Stadium Attendance
12.12.2012 WAFF N 0 – 0 Kazma SC Stadium, Kuwait City 1200
11.11.2011 World Cup Qualifier / Round 3 – Group E A 1 – 1 National Stadium – Riffa 18000
11.10.2011 World Cup Qualifier / Round 3 – Group E H 6 – 0 Azadi Stadium , Tehran 83000
24.09.2010 WAFF / Group A N 3 – 0 King Abdullah Stadium – Amman 12000
31.08.2009 Friendly A 2 – 4 NATIONAL STADIUM , Manama 1500
21.03.2008 Friendly A 0 – 1 National Stadium 3000
08.06.2005 World Cup Qualifier / Second Round H 1 – 0 Azadi – Tehran 90000
09.02.2005 World Cup Qualifier A 0 – 0 Manama 30000
06.08.2004 Asian Cup / 3rd Place N 4 – 2 Workers Stadium , Beijing 10000
19.10.2001 World Cup Qualifier / WCQ A 1 – 3 NATIONAL STADIUM , Manama 8000
14.09.2001 World Cup Qualifier / WCQ H 0 – 0 Azadi – Tehran 50000
07.04.2000 Asian Cup Qualifier / Group 2 H 3 – 0 Azadi – Tehran 40000
04.04.2000 Asian Cup Qualifier / Group 2 N 0 – 1 Al Hamdaniya Stadium , Aleppo 30000
03.10.1994 Asian Games / Group A N 0 – 0 Hiroshima 5000
20.08.1975 Olympics Qualifier H 3 – 0 Amjadiah – Tehran 25000
07.09.1974 Asian Games H 6 – 0 Amjadiah , Tehran 10000

Beigzadeh out of Team Melli squad.

Hashim Beigzadeh , Team Melli defender was put on the injured list after he broke his wrist during training in Melbourne.

Beigzadeh will not be able to play for a few weeks hence the Team coaching cadre opted to recall a replacement in Persepolis’s Mohammadreza Khanzadeh who is in Tehran. Khanzadeh was informed on the news while he was in a training session with his team. He bid farewell to his teammates and left the training urgently to prepare himself for the flight to Sydney.

Team Melli will be playing its first match against Bahrain on the 11th of January.

khanzadeh

Khanzadeh’s selection means that Persepolis will have at least 1 player in the squad , although the chances of him getting actual playing time is minimal. Interestingly enough , Khanzadeh faced the same situation in the World Cup being the spare player for the same Beigzadeh in Brazil. However , during the World Cup Beigzadeh recovered while Khanzadeh’s name was not included in the official 23 players list.

 

 

Jalal Hosseini ” the fans should not expect miracles.”

Jalal Hosseini , Team Melli central defender said “since Team Melli preparations was way behind the other opponents , the fans should not expect miracles.”

 Seyed Jalal Hosseini spoke to Mehr news agency about the conditions of Iranian national team six days before the opener match against Bahrain, He said: “Thanks God our physical condition is quite decent. Unfortunately, we did not have an ideal number of preparation friendly games and that is a crucial point. Therefore, we had to compensate with much preparative physical work. From the day we landed in Australia, we have worked quite hard to get in shape ready for the Asian Cup with hard and tough training.”

He added “we had a very good game against Iraq. I hope that despite all the hardships, the lack of preparatory friendly games, we manage in showcasing our abilities and qualities in the Asian Cup. The first game is very important in such tournaments in particular, since our first opponent in the tournament is Bahrain, the team that we usually have some difficulties against. Anyway, I hope we have a good start, then continue from there on”

Hosseini said that there is no point in regretting what happened and divulging about the level of team preparations. “No matter how long we have been in a training camp, it is not a substitute for playing strong friendly games against quality oppositions.  If you ask me whether our team’s preparation is on the same footing at the oppositions, I categorically say NO. However, this is all water under the bridge now. We must deal with this situation . Very little time is left to the start of the tournament.,  so we must not think about the past and feel sorry about ourselves , this is like shooting ourselves in the foot if we keep on about that. We simply have to carry on. In any case, the fact is that we are way behind the other teams in preparation programs. Each of them has done a dozen or so friendly games against strong teams. Ae are very backward. In that sense”

He added, however I strongly disagree with people who have demanded that Team Melli must win the title or at least reach the finals. The fact is that we have not had the proper preparation for such a strong tournament to justify such demand. The situation dictated upon us after our return from the World Cup , was as such that the team was sitting idle for 6 months without any games and meaningful program. Our squad had not had the chance for any match to see how the team performs with new players and what the benchmark is. Now we have many young players in our team. When players can show their real ability to have more opportunity to play together. We should not expect miracles from the team; however, we are of all our efforts we can make the people happy.”

Hosseini paid tribute to the new Team Melli players. The central defender, currently playing for Al AHli , admitted thy are quite a revelation with their hard work and stamina. “We have to accept that this group and others in the same level, are the future of Iran’s football. I am quite happy to see them paying so much attention and working their extreme best to impress in order to become established players.”

Ali Daei’s message of support to Nekounam

The legendary Ali Daei , holder of Team Melli all time appearance records with 149 international games and also the World top international scorer of all time , sent Javad Nekounam a support and inspiration message.

In his message , Daei congratulated Nekounam on his approach to breaking Daei’s record of national games and encouraged him to pursue this feat and show the world how Iran can perform well even under duress.

“I am aware that the coach is not entirely happy about the pre-tournament preparation and the acute lack of friendly games. I am aware that the conditions for the players and the coaching staff were not ideal, however, I believe in the Iranian team spirit. I am more than hopeful that this team will seek glory and make the Iranian fans jubilant and proud by performing to their maximum potential.”

“My best wishes to you as the leader and I wish you and the rest of players , the coaching staff and all involved in the Asian Cup mission , the very best. Be assured that we will all be behind you. I shall maintain my stance and will always be a Team Melli fan under all circumstances.”

Ali Daei has 149 games and 109 goals (Teammelli.com credits Daei with 112 goals). Javad Nekounam has 148 games and 37 goals.  It is expected that Nekounam will equal Daei’s games next Sunday against Bahrain.

Ali Daei is invited by AFC and the Asian Cup Organizing Committee as an honorary guest for the Finals of the Asian Cup. It is not clear if Daei will be attending Team Melli matches in Australia in person.

Iran finish on top against Iraq.

IRAN finished their Asian Cup preparations on a high note with a gritty 1-0 win over Middle Eastern rivals Iraq at WIN Stadium on Sunday.

Battling wet and windy conditions, the Group C powerhouse used a second half strike from Sardar Azmoun to tentatively confirm their status as a contender for the tournament.

Sardar pounched first on a loose ball near the centre circle ten minutes after the break to race away and poke home the winner.

It was a cruel blow for Iraq, who put in a spirited display and could have got more from the game.

Their skipper Younus Mahmood had a chance to level the scores from the penalty spot just minutes after the goal but tried to be too cute from 12-yards and chipped his attempt over the top.

He almost made amends shortly after but fired his effort into the post.

It punctuated a frenetic second half for both sides, who could have very well delighted the 5,745 people in attendance with another goal.

It wasn’t the case for much of the opening half, which looked to be plotting a similar course to the 0-0 between the Newcastle Jets and Sydney FC 24-hours earlier at the same venue.

Iraq had most of the ball throughout the opening quarter of an hour but rarely crafted any major opportunites. Striker Alaa Abdulzehra was the only player who really tested Iranian keeper Ali Reza Beiranvand but his tame header was easily dealt with between the sticks.

Their early dominance quickly faded as the higher FIFA-ranked outfit began to impose themselves of the match.

Vahid Amiri should have opened the scoring for Iran following a swift counter attack on 20-minutes. When the ball broke on halfway, Sardar latched onto the counter on the right and found Amiri, who somehow managed to fire over from close range.

He looked to make up for the miss before the half when he was allowed to cruise towards goal by some standoffish Iraqi defence. His long range attempt was eventually parried away into the path of Vorya Ghafouri, but again the chance was put over the top.

Amiri’s night was summed up in the final seconds of the match when he again put his attempt over the top when it seemed easier to score

five star players and five must-see games

Sebastian Hassett

 , The Sydney Morning Herald , Football reporter

 

Quick on the ball: Attacking midfielder Ashkan Dejagah will be a threat in Group C for Iran.Quick on the ball: Attacking midfielder Ashkan Dejagah will be a threat in Group C for Iran.

 

FIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH

Ashkan Dejagah (Iran) 

Iran v Nigeria: Group F - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil
One to watch: South Korean superstar Son Heung-Min dazzles against Paraguay. Photo: Getty Images

You might have seen Dejagah before, for his two years with Fulham in the English Premier League will have many fans well-aware of his dazzling talents. Granted, they weren’t enough to keep the Cottagers in the top flight, and Dejagah duly swapped the rigours of the Championship for the riches of Al-Arabi. The Qatari club didn’t mind shelling out to get him, either – they had to pay up to $12 million to bring him across. He’s worth every cent. Probably the quickest player on the ball in the entire continent, with his blistering pace on the ball arguably the biggest weapon Iran has at their disposal. Dejagah is at his best when he’s given room to move out wide and he’ll give great service to Iran’s front line, led capably by Reza Ghoochannejhad and Karim Ansarifard. He hasn’t always produced his best form for Team Melli but they certainly need him to this January.

Khalfan Ibrahim (Qatar) 

Flashback to 2006 and the Asian football world was more than a little shocked at the AFC awards night when the name Khalfan Ibrahim was named as Asian player of the year. He’d only made his international debut that same year, aged 18, although it was the year Qatar won football gold at the Asian Games and Ibrahim was the key player. He would throw in the occasional starring role thereafter but apart from a blinding 2008-09 season with Al Sadd (scoring 15 goals in 21 games), his potential probably wasn’t being realised. But after rediscovering his scoring boots in 2011, he hasn’t looked back, landing some incredible goals for club and country (his one-man “Maradona” effort against Al-Rayyan is a must-see on YouTube). He’s only ever played for Al-Sadd (his father’s club) but would cut it any league in the world. Expect to find him on the left-side of the attacking front three – and expect to see him dazzling the crowds with his dribbling and finishing.

Son Heung-min (South Korea) 

There’s a fine tradition developing of young Korean and Japanese footballers plying their trade in Germany and Son may very well be the best of them. Since swapping Hamburg for the mighty Bayer Leverkusen in 2013, his career has gone from strength to strength. Still only 22, who knows how good he’ll become in the coming years. He’s been linked in the past few weeks with a $38 million switch to the premiership – where Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham are said to be potential suitors. Not a bad list of admirers, although Bayern Munich would surely fancy him as potential replacement for their ageing wingers. This is the youngest South Korean team seen for some time and it looms as the most exciting generation since the 2002 side that went all the way to the semi-finals of the World Cup on home soil. Without question, Son will be their creative inspiration for years to come.

Keisuke Honda (Japan) 

Has probably wrestled back the “best player in Asia” tag after Shinji Kagawa’s recent troubles at club level. After struggling at first in Italy, he’s now adjusted and is arguably the best player at AC Milan and one of the best in Serie A. What makes Honda so good is simple: his razor-sharp technique is up there with the very best in the world. That amazing first touch and control means he is rarely thrown off, even by very physical players. He’s adept as a big-game player and loves the grand stage, as evidenced in winning the Asian Cup golden ball four years ago. He’s now 28 and has only improved as a player since, maturing into a world-class playmaker. Deadly from set-pieces, he’s also a huge goal-scoring threat, and is just as capable splitting open a defence with the deftest of passes. He’s got a certain swagger – confidence or arrogance, depending on your view – that some find off-putting but when you’re this good, why not?

Omar Abdulrahman (United Arab Emirates)

Big hair, bigger talent. Is coming into this tournament under an injury cloud but if he’s anywhere near full-fitness, watch out world. This is the guy who might just change how you think about Middle-Eastern footballers. There are probably only a few clubs in the world who could fork out the transfer fee his club, Al-Ain, will seek. Not that the club’s owner, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, needs to sell a player of his huge talent – although Manchester City (also owned by Abu Dhabi royal family) are tracking him and may be an obvious fit. The worry is that he hasn’t played since picking up an ankle injury in the Gulf Cup semi-final against Saudi Arabia in November and has scarcely trained since. Be hopeful he’s feeling on his game: his ability to control a match makes him a contender to knock off Honda and co as the best player in Asia. In this Asian Cup, the Emirates’ destiny lands on his shoulders.

AFC Asian Cup Group ‘C’ review

Source: http://www.soccernews.com/

World Cup participants Iran are the drawcard of what is set to be an evenly contested group at the 16th Asian Cup in Australia.

Iran – Australia’s arch-nemesis after cruelly preventing the Aussies from qualifying for the 1998 World Cup on away goals in Melbourne – will be led by Portuguese boss Carlos Queiroz once again as Team Melli continue in their efforts to reclaim the mantel as Asian’s leading football nation.

The three-time Asian Cup champions must first get past Gulf Cup winners Qatar, emerging nation United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

The favourites – Iran, Qatar

Though Iran did not make it out of their group at the World Cup in Brazil, Quieroz’s men were more than a match for their opponents on the South American continent.

After playing out a goalless draw with Nigeria in their group opener, Argentina captain Lionel Messi struck a 91st-minute injury-time winner to break the hearts of Iran, who went on to lose 3-1 to Bosnia-Herzegovina in the final match.

Iran – ranked 51st in the FIFA rankings – have only managed to play one game since the World Cup, defeating South Korea 1-0 in an international friendly in November. A friendly scheduled for December 28 against Palestine was cancelled due to “technical” problems.

Despite the lack of preparation and the sudden departure of assistant coach Ali Karimi, Iran are determined to relive the glory days of the 60s and 70s, which saw them win three consecutive Asian Cup titles between 1968-1976.

Qatar arrive Down Under in red-hot form after overcoming Saudi Arabia 2-1 to clinch the Gulf Cup title in November.

Goals from Al Mahdi Ali and Khoukhi Boualem at King Fahd Stadium saw Qatar win the tournament for the third time, providing the perfect springboard for a serious assault at the Asian Cup.

Prior to that run in the Gulf Cup, Djamel Belmadi’s Qatar – ranked 95th – had won four successive games, including a shock 1-0 victory over Asian Cup hosts Australia in October.

The outsiders – United Arab Emirates, Bahrain

Once the whipping boys of Asian football, United Arab Emirates – led by Mahdi Ali – are slowly emerging as a threat to many teams.

A goalless draw at home to Australia in October inspired a spirited run at the Gulf Cup, where they made it to the semi-finals, eliminated by Saudi Arabia.

Their improvement on the pitch is reflected in the FIFA rankings, with the UAE 85th in the world.

Bahrain have barely made an impact at the Asian Cup, having only made it past the group stage in 2004, when they finished fourth.

They were, however, a tricky opponent throughout World Cup qualifying as they fell a mere point shy of the fourth round.

Omer Abdulrahman

Star Player – Omar Abdulrahman

He may not be playing for Iran or Qatar, but UAE midfielder Omar Abdulrahman is expected to set the Asian Cup alight in 2015. At 23 years of age and 26 internationals caps to his name, Abdulrahman has already trialled at Premier League giants Manchester City and resisted the glitz and glamour of Europe to remain with Al Ain in his homeland. Some of Europe’s elite continue to monitor the little afro-wielding magician, and a stellar showing at the Asian Cup could finally see him make the leap.

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Crunch match – Qatar v Iran

The clash between Qatar and Iran in Sydney on January 15 could well decide top spot in Group C.  Winning the group could well prove pivotal to the pair’s cup hopes, with defending champions Japan expected to dominate in Group D ahead of Jordan, Iraq and Palestine.

Matches

11 January 2015 – United Arab Emirates v Qatar (Match 6), Canberra
Iran v Bahrain (Match 5), Melbourne
15 January 2015 – Bahrain v United Arab Emirates (Match 13), Canberra
Qatar v Iran (Match 14), Sydney
19 January 2015 – Iran v United Arab Emirates (Match 21), Brisbane
Qatar v Bahrain (Match 22), Sydney

Iran vs Iraq friendly match details.

Team Melli will be meeting Iraq in an international friendly match in Wollongong , New South Wales on Sunday as part of both te teams preparation for the AFC Asian Cup 2015 in Australia..

Carlos Queiroz will be using this match to play his full team for at least one half on order to check on the readiness of the first choice players against one of the better teams in Asia. Iraq , which won the AFC Asian Cup in 2011 is grouped with defending Champions Japan, Jordan and Palestine and considered as favorite to qualify from Group D along with Japan. The teams last encounter in the last edition of the Asian Cup in Doha 2011 , ended in a 2-1 victory for Team Melli with goals coming from Gholamreza Rezaei. and Iman Mobali.

Team Melli has been going through practice at a rate of two per day, morning and evening sessions in Sydney. In the last camp in South Africa, Iran failed to arrange friendly international matches against quality opponents , playing with reserve teams of the 3 different South African league teams. Both Iraq and Iran teams have set camps early in Australia as an acclimatization program. Iraq is coached by Radhi Shenaishel after the Iraqi FA replaced Hakeem Shaker as head coach of Iraq. One of the best Iraqi players in the last few years , Karrar Jassim , to happens to be playing with Esteghlal Tehran , was not picked for the squad this time. Captain Younis Mahmood , who is not attached with any club and currently is a free agent, was picked as a last-minute choice.

 

Iraq v Iran

WIN Stadium, Wollongong, NSW

Sun 4 Jan 2015, 06:00 PM

Team Melli continued its daily practice sessions in Sydney under head coach Carlos Queiroz. Part of the training was allocated for tactical work and part on building the physical side of the team players. Iraq match is also on the horizon in 3 days’ time and a good result in that match is essential in boosting the morale of Team Melli players who have not been blessed with good news in the last few months.

Queiroz briefed the players before the start and then Javad Nekounam had a few words to say beginning with relaying the good wishes of all players to the Christian members of the squad , Queiroz, Oceano , Dan Gasper . Mico , Diego and the two Iranians Andranik Teymoirian & Markar Aghajanian  on the occasions of the new year.

The squad then congratulated Sardar Azmoun on his 20th birthday.

Sydney weather on the day of the practice was rather warmer than usual which suited Queiroz.

Meanwhile the jersey numbers for the team has been allocated.

 

# Name
1 HAGHIGHI, Alireza
2 HEYDARI, Khosrow
3 HAJSAFY, Ehsan
4 HOSSEINI, Jalal
5 SADEGHI, AmirHossein
6 NEKOUNAM, Javad
7 SHOJAEI, Masoud
8 POURALIGANJI, Morteza
9 EBRAHIMI, Omid
10 ANSARIFARD, Karim
11 GHAFOORI, Vourya
12 FOROUZAN, Mohsen
13 AMIRI, Vahid
14 TEYMOURIAN, Andranik
15 REZAEIAN, Ramin
16 GHOOCHANNEJAD, Reza
17 RAFIEI, Sourosh
18 JAHANBAKHSH, AliReza
19 BEIGZADEH, Hashim
20 AZMOUN, Sardar
21 DEJAGAH, Ashkan
22 BIRANVAND, Alireza
23 POOLADI, Mehrdad