Year: 2018

35 Players picked by Queiroz for the FIFA World Cup

The initial expanded list of 35 players of Team Melli has been announced by Carlos Queiroz.

The list includes Steven Beitashour the forgotten American Iranian player whose last inclusion was in the FIFA World Cup 2014.

 

# Player Post Club Country

GOALKEEPERS
1 ABEDZADEH, Amir GK C.S. Marítimo 
2 BIRANVAND, Alireza GK Persepolis
3 HOSSEINI, Hossein GK Esteghlal
4 MAZAHERI, Mohammad Rashid GK Zob Ahan

DEFENDERS
5 ANSARI, Mohammad DF Persepolis
6 AGHAEI, Saeed DF Sepahan
7 BEITASHOUR, Steven DF Los Angeles FC
8 CHESHMI, Rouzbeh DF Esteghlal
9 GHAFOORI, Vourya DF Esteghlal
10 HOSSEINI, Jalal DF Persepolis
11 HOSSEINI, Majeed DF Esteghlal
12 KHANZADEH, Mohammadreza DF Padidah
13 MOHAMMADI, Milad DF Terek Grozny
14 MONTAZERI, Pejman DF Esteghlal
15 POURALIGANJI, Morteza DF Al Sadd
16 REZAEIAN, Ramin DF K.V. Oostende

MIDFIELD
17 ABDOLLAHZADEH, Ahmed MF Foolad Khuzestan
18 AMIRI, Vahid MF Persepolis
19 DEJAGAH, Ashkan MF Nottingham Forest
20 EBRAHIMI, Omid MF Esteghlal
21 EZZATOLLAHI, Saeid MF Amkar Perm
22 GHODDOS, Saman FW Östersunds FK
23 HAJSAFY, Ehsan MF Panionios FC
24 KARIMI, Ali MF Sepahan
25 NOORAFKAN, Omid MF Esteghlal
26 RAFIEI , Sourosh MF Al Khor
27 SHOJAEI, Masoud MF AEK Athens
28 TORABI, Mehdi MF Saipa Alborz

FORWARDS
29 ANSARIFARD, Karim FW Olympiacos F.C.
30 AZMOUN, Sardar FW Rubin Kazan
31 GHOLIZADEH, Ali FW Saipa Alborz
32 GHOOCHANNEJAD, Reza FW SC Heerenveen
33 JAHANBAKHSH, AliReza FW AZ Alkmaar
34 REZAEI, Kaveh FW R. Charleroi
35 TAREMI, Mehdi FW Al Gharrafah

Fareshteh Karimi , the Queen of Asian Futsal

As Iran celebrated a second consecutive AFC Women’s Futsal Championship final win over Japan, Fereshteh Karimi continued the theme and confirmed herself as a continental great by winning the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award for the second time.

The 29-year-old delivered what could only be described as the perfect tournament in Bangkok, scoring five goals and, remarkably, winning player of the match honours in all five of Iran’s matches.

The scorer of the tournament-deciding goal in Malaysia three years ago, Karimi also left her mark on this year’s decider, playing a major role in Misato’s Komura’s 30th minute own goal, before setting up Sara Shirbeigi to make it 3-0 moments later.

Speaking moments after Iran’s sensational 5-2 win, Karimi spoke of the significance of lifting the trophy for a second time.

“For women’s sport in Iran, the futsal team is the only team that has the ability to be an Asian champion,” she said.

“The national teams in other sports don’t have this ability and that’s why this is so important.

“Iranians are very emotional people, especially our women. This championship is the big opportunity for us to be more famous in the country, and the way we dress is unique and different from the other teams.

“All the people, especially our families, are so happy about this achievement.”

The 29-year-old graciously accepted the award, but said team success was at the forefront of her goals before thanking Iran’s technical staff.

“First of all I was thinking about how I could help the team. I knew that if I could help the team then I could be the MVP of the tournament,” she revealed.

“Before the final our staff analysed Japan for us very well. We had two sessions of analysing them and our plan was to make Japan tired in the first half, then try to score in the second half.

“That was our plan and thankfully it worked. We really need to give our thanks to our staff.”

Iran head coach Shahrzad Mozafar paid tribute to Karimi, saying her dual achievement is evidence of her standing as one of the game’s greats.

“Congratulations to Fereshteh,” she said. “To be the MVP of the tournament for the second time means that she is one of the really great players in Asia and, to me, in the world.”

Iran’s hat-trick hero in the final, Sara Shirbeigi (pictured below) won the award for the tournament’s top scorer. The 26-year-old finished level with teammate Fatemeh Etedadi and Japan’s Anna Amishiro with nine goals, but won the award by virtue of contributing three assists, compared to her competitors’ two.

Karimi thanked her teammates, giving special praise to the goal scoring duo as well as star goalkeeper Farzaneh Tavasoli.

“All the Iranian players are the MVP, and they should all be here beside me accepting this award.

“The top scorers, Sara and Fatemeh have been among the best players in this tournament, as well as our goalkeeper Farzaneh.”

Iran also claimed the Fair Play Award to take a clean sweep of the honours.

AFC WOMEN’S FUTSAL CHAMPIONSHIP 

AWARDS

Most Valuable Player – Fereshteh Karimi (IRN)

Top Goal Scorer – Sara Shirbeigi (IRN) – 9 Goals

Fair Play Award – Islamic Republic of Iran

Iranian girls , Champions of Asian futsal again.

Saturday, May 12, 2018

Iran confirmed their status as the queens of Asian futsal, producing a dazzling five-goal second half to retain the AFC Women’s Futsal Championship with a 5-2 win over Japan.

A hat-trick to Sara Shirbeigi and further goals from veteran Fahimeh Zarei and an own goal by Misato Komura  sealed a outstanding victory for Sharhzad Mozafar’s side, who also won the inaugural title in Malaysia three years ago.

Japan had the better of goalless first half but failed to capitalise, before Iran produced a blistering scoring burst, that included three goals in two second-half minutes, to take the game away from Kenichiro Kogure’s side.

Masami Kato had two shots in the first six minutes, before Mika Eguchi forced Iranian goalkeeper Farzaneh Tavasoli into an excellent save six minutes later, and volleyed over the crossbar after tricking her way into space not long after

The player who had arguably done the most to get Japan to the final, four-time player of the match Anna Amishiro, hit the side netting in the 18th minute before Tavasoli made another fine save to deny Komura a minute later.

Despite spending extended periods under pressure, Iran looked as though they might take a half-time lead when Sara Shirbeigi ran right through the Japanese in the dying seconds, only for Eguchi’s last-ditch defending to snuff out the chance.

It took less than 30 seconds for Ryo Egawa to force Tavasoli into another save, and less than two minutes for Shirbeigi to blast her effort over the crossbar as the battle intensified at the start of the second half.

Fahimeh Zarei looked certain to put Iran in front in the 24th minute, but failed to make contact with the ball with the goal at her mercy, then watched as Seyedehnastaran Moghimidarzi’s follow-up flew harmlessly over the crossbar.

Iran’s breakthrough came in the 27th minute when a lighting fast counter-attack drew Ayaka Yamamoto out of position, before Moghimidarzi rounded the Japanese goalkeeper and kept her cool to find Shirbeigi whose one-touch finish made it 1-0 from close range.

Having scored the winning goal in the final three years ago, Fareshteh Karimi made her mark on the 2018 final when she played a crucial role in a Komura own goal which doubled the lead at the half-hour mark.

That signalled the start of an Iranian goal-rush as Karimi set up Shirbeigi to make it 3-0 just seconds later, and three became four when Shirbeigi completed a magnificent hat-trick by scoring another in the following minute.

The goal also brought Shirbeigi level with teammate Fatemeh Etedadi as the tournament’s top scorer with nine.

Japan head coach Kenichiro Kogure called a time-out before deploying a power play formation, which paid immediate dividends when Eguchi finally got a reward for her constant goal threat to make it 4-1.

Not content with her goals, Shirbeigi turned provider to set up Zarei for one of the goals of the tournament when she masterfully flicked the ball past Yamamoto in the 36th minute.

Amishiro scored her ninth goal of the tournament in the final minute to create a three-way tie in the race for the tournament’s top scorer, but it had little bearing on the final outcome as Iran celebrated a wonderful win.

Team Melli official World Cup kit to be revealed in Uzbekistan friendly.

Team Melli will meet Uzbekistan in an international friendly warm-up match in of preparation for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

The match is scheduled to be played on May 19 in Tehran’s Azadi Stadium.

“Team Melli 2018 World Cup jerseys have not been revealed yet to avoid counterfeits. The Iran national team kit will be unveiled in the match against Uzbekistan,” Mehdi Taj , the President of FFIRI said.

With less than two months left until the start of the 2018 World Cup, the Iranian federation and kit supplier Adidas have not unveiled Team Melli’s kit and the federation has been highly criticized by the media and the fans for the delay while almost all other nations have revealed their official jersey.

Although Mehdi Taj cited piracy as a reason for this delay, the truth according to insiders lies elsewhere. There has been some talk of diagreement between the Kit Supplier and FFIRI on financial terms. It is also been alleged that the quality that was offered , was not the top that the German manufacturer has in its inventory. Queiroz was not too happy with the quality on offer. However, there was no independent source to confirm these allegations.

Endangered Asiatic Cheetah was imprinted on Team Melli’s jersey during the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, but it seems the image will not be stamped on Iran’s kit in the 2018 World Cup. The Last Kit was supplied by UHLSports which had a turbulent relationship with the FFIRI. There were several accusation of inferior quality with the kit supplied by UHLSports. There were accusations by both sides and eventually the contract was not renewed.

Carlos Queiroz’s team have been drawn in Group B of the 2018 World Cup along with Spain, Morocco and Portugal. The Iran national football team will open the campaign with a match against Morocco at Saint Petersburg on June 15.

Biranvand’s poor form, a worry for Team Melli!

One would be excused to notice that the two goalkeepers that have performed so admirably in the AFC Asian Champions League matches yesterday are nowhere near being Team Melli’s first choice .  

The fact is that one Alireza Biranvand, a lackluster keeper with a questionable attitude and prone to errors, has been the number one choice for Carlos Queiroz and that is worrying.

Biranvand , the guardian of Persepolis has been quite poor this season. Single handedly he cost his team a precious win in Abu Dhabi last night conceding 3 goals, all of which could have been saved with some agility and better effort.  Young Goalkeepers like Biranvand at such age normally develop and reach their peak at a much later stage of their careers unlike other outfield players. Biranvand has played for Team Melli youth teams and forced himself to the senior team on sheer merits at the time that Iran had a dearth of goalkeeping talents.

However, Biranvand , seem to have stopped developing, but even worst , he is losing his touch too. There is a long list of shortcoming that has marred his performance particularly this season, from failure to judge the flight of crosses to poor reaction, to poor timings of coming out for a ball. Biranvand has cost his club many goals and lots of points, the type of which he had not experienced before at Persepolis.

Mehdi Rahmati

Admittedly, the problems he had with his club, had affected him. Contractual and financial issues, the lure of better contract at other clubs resulted in him requesting a transfer while he was tied by a contract. The club turned down his request, which resulted in Birnavand’s rebellion, absence from training and refusing to attend team meetings. He was the target of the boo-boys amongst the passionate Persepolis fans in Azadi. Branko Ivankovic was ready to kick him out of the team for his petulant attitude and discord he created in the team while they were fighting on two fronts, to win the league title and the AFC Champions league. Eventually, Biranvand came to his senses and returned, but traces of that episode are evident in his poor performances following that period.

On the other hand,  Zob Ahan goalkeeper and number 3 choice in Team Melli , Rashid Mazaheri was majestic in his performance against Esteghlal in the same stage of the AFC champions league match. Estaghlal lost to late penalty  for Zob Ahan to take a slender lead to Azadi. Despite that eye catching performance in goal for Zob Ahan, It would be very difficult to name Mazaheri as the best goalkeeper in Iran, because right in the opposite end of the field was none other than Seyed Mehdi Rahmati whose saves and reflexes was world class. An outcast in Team Melli, his skills and experience has saved Esteghlal time after time in that match. It was a sterling performance from the veteran keeper and Rahmati was at his best.

Two great performances from two Iranian keepers in the same match, was the highlight of this round of AFC Champions league. Two exceptional performances that has brought back some of the confidence lost in Iranian keepers and their qualities. Queiroz has no more than 3 games to check on his choice of goalkeeper for the World Cup. Birnavand has served him well and the Portuguese head coach is known to be loyal to his troops. But he has also shown that he can be demanding and would not hesitate to make drastic changes or drop star players if their performances and forms are not up to his standard.

Every player makes mistakes, and with goalkeepers by their nature being the last line of defence, theirs will be the costliest. Queiroz has one serious problem on his hand at that end.

Daei “Iran will win the AFC Asian Cup”

The legendary Ali Daei has explained his confidence over Iran winning the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 title.

“Iran has been Asia’s top team for the last few years for a reason: the consistency of the technical team,” Daei said in an interview with AFC.

“There have been very few changes in the technical team’s setup and the stability has allowed coach Carlos Queiroz to focus on building a formidable squad. Queiroz has also looked far and wide for the best players and this has had a positive effect on the national team,” the former Iran captain added.

Iran is Asia’s top side in the FIFA World Ranking and was also the first team from the continent to seal a place in the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018, confirming its place last June.

The team finished the World Cup qualifiers unbeaten and Daei, 49, is expecting the form to be carried into the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019, with Iran lifting the trophy.

The last of Iran’s three triumphs in the AFC Asian Cup was in 1976, meaning that it will be 43 years since Team Melli last won the title by the time the action in UAE 2019 kicks off next January.

“I am confident that Iran will win this time around. We have always been a force to be reckoned with in the AFC Asian Cup but the recent results give me confidence that we will win the title for the fourth time,” said Daei.

 

The AFC Asian Cup may have eluded Daei as a player but it is a tournament which is dear to his heart, as it paved the way for his big move to Germany in 1996.

In emerging top scorer in the 1996 AFC Asian Cup, also hosted by the UAE, Daei hit four of his tournament haul of eight goals in the 6-2 win over South Korea in the quarterfinals.

“There was a Korean player who was playing in Germany at that time and he convinced several coaches to scout for players during the 1996 AFC Asian Cup. The four goals I scored in that match played a pivotal role for me signing with Arminia Bielefeld.”

His stay in Germany also saw stints with Bayern Munich and Hertha BSC.

Plying his trade in Europe brought much success to one of Iran’s footballing sons and Daei is hoping that come the AFC Asian Cup 2019, not only will more of his compatriots secure moves to the big European leagues but Iran lift a long overdue title.

“I missed a penalty in the semifinal against Saudi Arabia and we lost, but I know that it can be different this time around,” he added.

Daei holds the record for the most goals in international football with a total of 109 goals he scored in 149 games for Team Melli (from 1993-2006).

Iran to face Iraq, Yemen and Vietnam in AFC Asian Cup 2019

The draw for the AFC Asian Cup was held In a grand spectacle at the United Arab Emirates Burj Khalifa,

Team Melli , Asia’s best ranked side, who are looking to secure their fourth title and their first since 1976, were drawn in Group D alongside 2007 winners Iraq, Vietnam and Yemen, who will be appearing in their first tournament since their unification.

 Hosts UAE, who were positioned in first place in Group A, will kick-off Asia’s most prestigious tournament against Bahrain at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi on January 5, 2019.

The host nation will be looking to improve on their second place finish the last time the competition was held in the UAE in 1996, but will face formidable opponents in India and Thailand who complete the cast in Group A.

Meanwhile defending champions Australia were drawn in Group B with 2004 and 2011 quarter-finalists Jordan, Palestine, and Syria, who return to the competition following their absence in Australia 2015.

Continent powerhouses and 2015 finalists Korea Republic, who are on the hunt for their first title since 1960, were drawn in Group C with two-time runners-up China PR as well as two debutants in the UAE 2019 – Kyrgyz Republic and Philippines.

In Group E, two-time champions Saudi Arabia were drawn with 2011 hosts Qatar, Lebanon, who will be returning to the competition for only the second time after a 19 year absence as well as DPR Korea.

The tournament’s most successful side with four titles, Japan are in Group F and will face Uzbekistan, who have progressed past the group stage for the last four editions of the competition as well as Oman and Turkmenistan.

In an action-packed night graced by some of the biggest names in Asian football, the final draw also introduced a USD$14.8 million total prize money, the unveiling of a stunning new trophy, a cutting-edge Molten match ball and the launch of the tournament’s official mascots – Mansour and Jarrah.

The Zayed Sports City Stadium will also host the final on February 1, 2019 after 28 days of enthralling action with the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium and Al Nahyan Stadium hosting the remaining matches in Abu Dhabi.

Hazza bin Zayed Stadium and the Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium will host the matches in Al Ain and Sharjah Stadium in the Emirate of Sharjah. Al Maktoum Stadium and Al Rashid Stadium are the two venues in Dubai.

Zlatko Krancjar to lead Iran U23 team (Omid)

Zlatko Krancjar was appointed as the Head Coach of Team Melli Omid Team (U-23) by the Football Federation.

Commenting on his presence in Iran in his new capacity the coach of the Omid  team, the Croat coach  appreciated the confidence that was given to him by the officials of the Football Federation, the Ministry of Sports and the National Olympic Committee. “After having been in Iran for about 6 years, I feel a lot of responsibility towards the next generation of football.” The ex-Sepahan coach said

“Fortunately, I have a comprehensive understanding of the conditions of Iran’s football,” he continued. “I hope that I will be able to provide the best of my experiences to the future Iranian footballers.”

The head coach of the Omid Team said: “We have many talented young players in Iran’s football that can make a brilliant generation. All of our goal is to respond appropriately to the expectations of the people and the fans. Naturally, now everyone is looking at Team Melli , which is so popular in Iran and has been so for many years under the guidance of Carlos Queiroz. Certainly we are all supporters of Team Melli,  we pray for their success.”

He stated: “Very soon after I arrived  in Iran, the planning for training campus and preparation program for the Omid team has begun and we will try to announce our plans in the coming days. Today, there were numerous and intensive meetings with the presence of gentlemen Mohasses, Kalani, Moeni and Estili, to keep an eye on everything.”

“In the past two days,” said Krancjar. “Unfortunately, some gossip mongers have come up with a story of bad relationship between me and the head coach of Team Melli, all of which are far from reality. I have a lot of respect for Mr. Queiroz and I am here to help Iranian football, and I emphasize that we are all partners with Team Melli of Iran. After the World Cup, we have Asian Games in Jakarta, which is important in the regional dimension, and I hope that the football family will have memorable days.”

OPPONENT WATCH: SPAIN

The 2010 winners are hoping to stand on top of the world once more with former Under-21 boss Julen Lopetegui now at the helm

Winners in 2010 but dumped out of the group stage four years later, there’s no question about which of their previous two World Cup campaigns Spain will be hoping to replicate.

Long-time boss Vicente del Bosque stayed on too long, but now a side of serial winners that had perhaps begun to look a little long in the tooth has been refreshed under former Under-21 boss Julen Lopetegui.

The ex-Porto coach had been set to join Wolves as manager in 2016, but when his country came calling, the 51-year-old couldn’t say no.

Since then he has reinvigorated the side, building on the long-standing base of Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta and David Silva, by adding freshness in the shape of a number of his former youth charges, including Real Madrid star Isco and Saul Niguez.

Spain coach Julen Lopetegui during training
Spain coach Julen Lopetegui (Image: Action Images via Reuters / Andrew Boyers)
Will Morata be in the starting XI this summer? (Image: Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

 

La Roja are still La Roja and crashing out at the group stage in Brazil 2014 and the disappointment of France 2016 were not at all cathartic in the end. At the age of 51, and without much experience as a coach at elite level, Julen Lopetegui has managed to conserve the essence of what made Spain so successful. The backbone of the team who qualified brilliantly for Russia 2018 are the same as those who failed in France a year and a half ago. Eight of the team who lost against Italy in Paris would start in Russia if the World Cup started now: David De Gea, Gerard Piqué, Sergio Ramos, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Andrés Iniesta, David Silva and Álvaro Morata. In addition, the wonderful Isco has found his feet with the senior squad, as have several of the under-21s who won the Euros with Spain and Lopetegui in 2013.

The big question regards – as it has since David Villa’s international exit – who will play up front? Alvaro Morata has top-scored for Spain during Lopetegui’s time in charge with seven goals, but there’s also Diego Costa, Aritz Aduriz, Iago Aspas and a host of others.

They head to Russia among the leading contenders and will hope to stamp an early mark when they meet Portugal in their opener on June 15.

Form guide

There were no problems for the Spanish in World Cup qualifying, as they sauntered through a group containing Italy, with nine wins and one draw – in Turin – in their 10 games.

Lopetegui’s men scored 36 times and conceded on just three occasions as they booked their spot in the finals; the last time they tasted defeat in a competitive fixture was against the Azzurri at Euro 2016.

Thrashed Costa Rica and drew 3-3 with hosts Russia in November, giving up the lead three times against the host nation.

 

Star player

Isco

Isco has been shining brightly for Lopetegui (Image: Getty Images Europe)

Andres Iniesta is (arguably) the greatest player Spain has ever produced, and while the Barcelona star remains key, there can be no denying that he isn’t the player he once was.

As such, the man to whom Spain will turn to make the cutting runs and passes which have been so key in recent year will be Isco, who will be 26 when the finals get under way and heading into his prime.

The playmaker has proven his value to Real Madrid in three Champions League finals and is now thriving at the Santiago Bernabeu; his devastating display against Italy last September – in which he scored twice – was perhaps the best individual performance from anyone not named Lionel Messi in Europe this season.

Rising star

Marco Asensio

Real Madrid starlet Asensio will hope to impress at the finals (Image: AFP)

Marco Asensio’s burgeoning reputation continues to grow, with the 22-year-old shining for Real Madrid and emerging as the future of Spanish football.

Supremely-talented, quick, with an eye for goal or a killer pass, the Mallorca-born starlet already boasts a Champions League final goal to his name and actively appears to seek responsibility in big games.

He can prove a real game-changer for La Roja in Russia.

 

How they qualified: Winners of European Group G ahead of Italy 

Preferred system:  4-5-1

Star players: Isco (Real Madrid) , David Silva (Manchester City)

One to watch:  Marco Asensio (Real Madrid)

Manager Julen Lopetegui

Odds 15-2

 

Head 2 Head

Spain and Iran have never met. Iran was invited to the 75th Anniversary of Real Madrid club , but did not play the host in a 4 team tournament in March 1977.

Opponent watch: Portugal

Having won a first major tournament at Euro 2016, can Cristiano Ronaldo now inspire the Seleccao again?

Portugal stunned Europe in 2016 after winning the European Championships despite rarely looking like potential winners until the semi-final.

Under pragmatic boss Fernando Santos, the Seleccao claimed a first ever major tournament success in France, despite drawing all three group games and managing just one win inside 90 minutes.

Now ranked No.3 in the world by FIFA, a side full full of experience, including Pepe (35), Rui Patricio (30), Joao Moutinho (31), Nani (31) and, of course, all-time record goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo (33), will have one final fling at the World Cup.

Santos has shown loyalty to his veterans – and been repaid – while also bringing through younger stars such as Joao Cancelo, Bernardo Silva, Raphael Guerreiro and Andre Silva, giving the side a mixture of youth and experience, nous and speed.

“Brazil, Argentina, Spain, Germany and France are the favourites to win the World Cup,” says the Portugal coach, Fernando Santos, before adding: “Then we have other candidates, who want to get as far as possible, and win the tournament if possible, and Portugal are in this second group.” Santos is cautious, despite winning Euro 2016 but he is looking forward to the World Cup with optimism and does so with good reason: Portugal seem stronger now than a year and a half ago, having added creativity to the defensive organisation that underpinned the 2016 title. Bernardo Silva and André Silva have been important factors in this attacking upgrade and in general the team have more depth. The one area which is perhaps weaker is the defence, where it has been hard to find replacements for Pepe (who will be 35 next summer), José Fonte (34) and Bruno Alves (36).

Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal lifts the European Championship trophy after his side win 1-0 against France
Portugal celebrate their Euro 2016 triumph (Image: Getty)
Portugal boss Fernando Santos (Image: Matthias Hangst)

The big question regards whether Ronaldo can shine on the world stage and light up the major finals with his goalscoring; dumped out at the group stage in 2014, he has a much stronger support cast backing him up this time. Andre Silva has proven an excellent foil also, but has endured a difficult season at AC Milan after a big-money move.

Their opener against Spain offers an early test, but they’ll expect to get past Morocco and Iran, before heading into the knockout stages…a road they proved two years ago that they know how to travel.

 

Form guide

The Seleccao lost their opening World Cup qualifier in Switzerland, but won the following nine – including a must-win decider against the previously unbeaten Swiss – to book their finals spot.

That initial defeat to the Swiss apart, Portugal have lost just one friendly in the past 18 months – 3-2 at home to Sweden last March – while they finished third in the Confederations Cup last summer, having been beaten on penalties by Chile in the semi-final.

 

Star player

Cristiano Ronaldo

As crucial as ever (Image: Getty Images Europe)

Cristiano Ronaldo remains absolutely pivotal to the Seleccao, their biggest star and chief supplier of goals.

He doesn’t run down the flank as much as he did in his youth, and the step-overs are far more infrequent, but there simply isn’t a better big-game goalscorer on the planet.

His relationship with pragmatic coach Fernando Santos remains crucial, and this is, almost certainly, his last chance to win a World Cup.

 

Rising Star

Bernardo Silva

Bernardo Silva celebrates scoring against Arsenal in March (Image: Shaun Botterill)

The former Benfica and Monaco playmaker Bernardo Silva experienced a slow start to his Manchester City career due to injury and the form of Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling, but the fleet-footed star has become increasingly important at the Etihad.

Extremely skillful, clever with his use of the ball and cutting in the final third, the 23-year-old missed out on Euro 2016 due to injury; he’ll be looking to make up for lost time in Russia.

How they qualified Winners of European Group B ahead of Switzerland 

Preferred system 4-4-2

Star player Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)

One to watch Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)

Manager Fernando Santos

Odds 20-1

Head 2 Head

Iran & Portugal met twice. The first meeting in Brazil was 36 years ago in Brazil Centenary tournament. Portugal was one of the best teams in the World at that time with the great Eusebio leading the attack. Iran was the top team in Asia but with an aging golden generation players such as Kalani, Iranpak, Halvaei and Arab.

The next meeting was in the World Cup 2006,where the  two teams have met in the group stage. It was a tough match for both team. Cristiano Ronaldo remains the only survivor from that match. He also scored a goal against Mirzapour. Portugal included two legendary players Luis Figo and Deck in that team.

Portugal had the upper hand in both the matches with 5 goals scored and none conceded.

 

Date Comp. H / A / N Final score Stadium Attendance
17.Jun.2006 FIFA World Cup / Group D N 0 – 2 Waldstadion , Frankfurt 48,000
14.Jun.1972 Brazil Independance Cup N 0 – 3 Santa Cruz Stadium, RECIFE 115,000