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Syria Match review: The most challenging is the enemy within

Team Melli players under Dragan Skocic, will be meeting Syria tomorrow with all eyes on the three points and widening the gap at the top of the table of Group A of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifiers.

While on-field, this match like the rest of them in this group, is far from a forgone conclusion despite the fact that Syria is at the bottom of the table. It is going to be the same story for Team Melli. The object is to translate the superiority of the team into goals while keeping the defense tight.

However, the biggest battle for Team Melli seems to be occurring outside of the field of play and the enemy within. There seems to be an agenda to undermine the coach, Skocic. That enemy within, people working behind the curtains, have a systematic means of ruining the squad to serve their own interests. The target is Dragan Skocic.

The Croat has been criticized left, right, and center by many so-called Iranian football personalities who are perhaps blinded by self-interest or serving some agenda. These people conveniently ignore facts and figures such as playing 12 games, winning 11, and drawing 1 under the resume of Skocic, while denying the Croat coach any credit, by attributing the team's immaculate results to individual players' performance !!

Their objective is to force FFIRI to replace Skocic with one of their own.

Even a personality like Ali Daei, who is a living legend, has been dragged into this battle, In defense of Skocic-Taremi , Ali Daei who has been out of work in football since he left Saipa in 2019, took a side and supported Taremi but he also made some statements against Skocic which was indeed in poor taste and not appropriate for the character of Daei. Many other ex-footballers went on similar rhetorics.

Whether FFIRI will succumb to pressure to replace Skocic at some stage, is another tale for another day but suffice to say that the Croat has held his heads high, performed marvelously for Team Melli, and put Iran on the brink of qualification to the World Cup with a few games to spare.

On the field, Syria with a few key players missing will hardly deviate from their usual game plan. Tight defenses, pressure of opposition players, and hope of a goal on counterattacks. Heaven forbids if the Syrians score, as the repeat of the Lebanese Black Art of time-wasting, cheating, and faking injury, will be the tale of the day.

With Jahanbakhsh missing, Skocic will have several options available. He has Hajsafy, Torabi, and Sarlak as replacements. Last time out, Ghoddos was used from the start but it was a disappointing performance from the Brentford midfield player alongside Azmoun. Ansarifard or Rezaei are two options for Skocic while Ghoddos , if used again, would be operating behind the two strikers.

Goalkeeping was far from assuring against Lebanon. It will not be a great surprise if Beiranvand is benched and either Abedzadeh or Niazmand start instead.

The defense was solid and Vahid Amiri excelled in his left-back role.

Under the circumstances, Syria’s job to improve their record against Iran looks like a mammoth task, But football is a strange game, and surprises can happen. Skocic, however, is a Wiley coach and has prepared well for worst-case scenario.

Syrian camp in predicament with key players' absenteeism.

the Syrian Football Federation announced yesterday that the midfielder  Mohammad Othman has left the Syrian squad in protest after sitting on the bench in the game against Iraq and will not play against Iran. "Ayaz Osman", another Syrian player, left the camp on the eve of the game with Iraq due to injury. The Federation also added on Friday evening that Omar Kharbin, the key striker of the Syrian national team, will be absent against Iran too, because of injury. The results of medical tests show that the striker needs a week off due to an injury against Iraq. Furthermore, Esra'a Hamawiyah is suspended for receiving his second yellow card of the competition against Iraq, and he will be absent from the Iran game.

But these people are not the only ones absent from Syria against Iran, because "Mohammad Halaq" and "Saad Ahmad", who were already injured, are not able to accompany Syria against Iran. Four of the six Syrian absentees played against Iran in the first match in Azadi which ended 1-0 for Iran

Team Melli and Syria will face off on Tuesday in the third qualifying round of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in Amman, Jordan. Iran currently leads Group A with 13 points followed by South Korea with 11 points.

Syria Absentees

  1. Mohammad Othman
  2. Ayaz Osman
  3. Omar Kharbin,
  4. Esra'a Hamawiyah
  5. Mohammad Halaq
  6. Saad Ahmad

A big call to make on Beiranvand!

Alireza Beiranvand, Team Melli’s number one goalkeeper, is going through some bad patch both at the club and national Team level these days. After conceding four goals in Boavista's game against FC Porto to experience a bitter day against Mehdi Taremi and his teammates, he also conceded another five in the next game against Famalisao, in total he has conceded nine goals in two games.

However, this dip in performance did not seem to affect Dragan Skocic's confidence as Beiranvand was picked in the starting lineup against Lebanon. As expected, he started the match in which he continued performing dreadfully against Lebanon. He still could not put things right and perform as well as expected from him.

Beiranvand was the main culprit in Team Melli conceding a goal in that match. Despite the oddity and the very strong possibility that the ball was in fact traveled well beyond the line out of play, he was nevertheless at fault for his unprofessional response. While he should have been watching the flight of the ball and being alert, he instead watched the linesman ignoring the field and raising his hand as if such action will stop the game! A clever and opportunistic Lebanon forward scored what must have been an easy gift the type of which he might never experience again at the international level.

It was a poor goal to concede even at a much lower level of competition, let alone a match in a World Cup qualifier.

The second major mistake of the day from the shaky Beiranvand came in the second half when he decided to dribble the Lebanese forward in his 6 yards area in the 55th minute of the game. As the forward was pressing on him and getting real close, in haste Beiranvand released the ball and gave it away to another Lebanon forward, waiting for a mistake, who had an empty goal in front of him, It was another gift for Lebanon!. Thanks to the great interception by Sadegh Moharrami that the shot was deflected to a corner saving Beiranvand and the Team.

A goal would have put Lebanon 2-0 up and the recovery would have been extremely difficult especially considering gift goals by Team Melli players.

There is no doubt that Alireza Beiranvand is a liability after consecutive poor performances. He is shaky and his confidence must be at the ebb. Starting him against Syria is now considered a great risk for the Team in which Skocic will be sitting on the stands as he is suspended. However, like Taremi’s absence, Team Melli has a solid bench for goalkeeping. Abedzadeh and young Niazmand are both capable and ready to slot in and relieve the underconfident Beiranvand.

Every footballer will have some downturn in his fortune and experience a bad performance patch. It remains to be seen if Skocic and the rest of the coaching staff will risk using Beiranvand against Syria, or exercise caution and rationale by choosing either of the two keepers.

The coaches of Team Melli must consider the effect of repeated failure on the psychology of a player.

There is a serious risk wherein if Beiranvand starts against Syria and heaven forbids, commits further mistakes that lead to a goal or goals conceded, the emotional uneasiness and the feeling of guilt will perhaps destroy the confidence of Alireza Beiranvand permanently ruining his career in the process. Rationale dictates that Beiranvand should not be exposed to possible psychological agony.

It is a big call for Skocic to make against Syria.

Team Melli player publish a protest statement after the win against Lebanon.

Team Melli defeated Lebanon 2-1 away in Sidon in the final minutes of the game to complete the first half of the final qualifying round of the World Cup with 13 points and without defeat,

Immediately after the match, the players published a joint statement on social media, highlighting the problems and shortcomings the squad is facing, including the poor quality of the national team kit, non-payment of bonuses, and the Football Federation's failure to address the team's difficulties in Lebanon. The statement targeted the officials of FFIRI  and the country's Sports Ministry for criticism and referred to Team Melli conditions as not worthy of the name of Iran and a team that is top in Asia.

Team Melli will meet Syria in the first return match in five days (Tuesday, November 16). The text of the players' message is as follows:

"We, the national team players, with all our intensity and zeal, and with the support of the honorable people of Iran, reached the top of the table in these rounds without defeat. It is necessary to inform the people and the fans about the poor conditions, the hardship, and the problems that the national team is facing, which are not up to a respectable standard and way below our expectations and the reputation of our country. In terms of logistics and support, it is not even close to the standard of a club team. We have been wearing old jerseys for over a year and we have to wear them again every time after washing.

During this trip to Lebanon, we encountered many problems, including the training facilities, but there was no proper protest from the federation officials. Contrary to promises and obligations, the national team players have not yet received their bonuses after several months have passed. Since our qualification to the next round in Bahrain, there has been no contact or follow-up from the country's sports officials. Our victories have become routine for them and instead of supporting the squad more, they have completely forgotten us. This situation is not at all suitable for a team that is at the top of the Asian rankings and is preparing for the World Cup."

Late strikes secure Iran victory against Lebanon

Group A: Late strikes secure IR Iran victory against Lebanon

Saida: Stoppage time goals from Sardar Azmoun and Ahmad Nourollahi saved the Islamic Republic of Iran at Saida International Stadium on Thursday as Dragan Skocic’s side claimed a dramatic 2-1 win over Lebanon in Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar 2022.
Azmoun showed his predatory instincts once again for his country as he cancelled out Soony Saad’s opportunistic first half opener before Nourollahi smashed home a low drive to earn the visitors all three points as the qualification campaign for Qatar 2022 reaches the halfway stage.
It was a remarkable escape for the five-time FIFA World Cup qualifiers, who remain on top of Group A as a result of win that broke the hearts of a Lebanese side that looked set to hold on for a historic victory.
The Iranians move on to 13 points and stay two clear of Korea Republic at the summit of Group A while Lebanon remain on five points from the first five games of the campaign.  The result, though, was a cruel blow for Ivan Hasek’s side, who put on a disciplined defensive performance that frustrated their visitors until deep into injury time.
IR Iran started the game on the front foot and seemed set to dominate when, with less than four minutes on the clock, Alireza Jahanbakhsh saw his shot was deflected wide for a corner after Vahid Amiri had danced through the Lebanese defence. Goalkeeper Mostafa Matar had to be alert in the 28th minute when the Lebanese midfield stood off Jahanbakhsh as the PSV Eindhoven winger drove into the home half before unleashing a long-range effort that was tipped over the bar.
In the 37th minute, however, the hosts took an unlikely lead. Hasek’s side had made few incursions into the Iranian half but a cross from wide on the right touchline by Abbas Asi caught out a defence that expected the ball to sail out of play.
Instead, the strong wind from behind the Iranian goal held the ball up and Saad, the only player alert to the situation, controlled with a deft first touch before clipping a neat finish over a startled Alireza Beiranvand.
The Lebanese almost doubled the lead 10 minutes into the second half when Beiranvand's mishit clearance fell at the feet of Mohamad Haidar, but his attempt was deflected wide for the home side’s first corner of the game.
That was a rare sight of goal for a Lebanese side that started to drop deeper as the second period wore on.
Azmoun looked set to equalise as the half approached the midway point only for Matar to push the Zenit St Petersburg man’s right-foot shot over the bar while Ali Gholizadeh squandered another opening 12 minutes from time.
Azmoun, though, finally broke through in the first minute of added time with a trademark finish from inside the area as the pressure finally paid off and, four minutes later, Nourollahi smashed his drive home from the edge of the area to cap a remarkable comeback for Skocic’s team.

A dramatic win for Team Melli against Black Artists Lebanon.

Team Melli bagged all the 3 points after being behind since the first half when Lebanon scored a freak goal by Soony Saad (37'). Two last minutes goals in injury time of the match by Sardar Azmoun (90+1') and Ahmad Nourollahi (90+5') settled the match for Iran and maintained its lead on the top of the table at the halfway stage of FIFA World Cup Qatar 200 qualifiers of Group A.

While Team Melli started the match positively despite the bad conditions of the field and the grass which was more suitable for grazing than playing a decent football match, that superiority in possession and passing was thwarted time after time by the Lebanese solid defense.

As expected, Lebanon defended en mass and was quite disciplined in the back, breaking most of the Iranian attacks and protecting their goalkeeper well. Iran had 10 corner kicks in the first half but could not create any threat on Lebanon keeper Mostafa Matar who was quite dominant on the aerial balls.

From the first attack by Lebanon on the 37th minute, a right flank cross which seemed to be going out but somehow pushed by the wind within the field of play deceived Beiranvand who was raising his hand and watching the linesman instead of the ball that was floating right above him. The ball landed inside the box and in the front of the advancing Lebanon forward Soony Saad who cleverly controlled and wrong-footed Beiranvand with a shoot up the roof of the goal.

It was a schoolboy error by Beiranvand who had nothing to do all that time. While two other defenders close to Saad were at fault as there were also caught napping.

The first half ended 1-0 to the home team. Starting the second half Iran continued its assault on the Lebanese, who at times were packing the box with 10 players. In desperation and looking for the equalizer, much of the shoots were missing the target or hitting the Lebanese defensive wall. Only Sardar Azmoun's terrific volley managed to penetrate that wall for Mostafa Matar to make an excellent save.

Lebanon's famous black art was at its best in the second half, grass rolling, simulation, and with every contact. falling on the ground, even when the referee whistled a foul against them.  Skocic had to act to strengthen the offensive capabilities while withdrawing Saman Ghoddos and Ezatollahi who were both disappointing in the middle of the park. Milad Mohammadi and Sayyadmanesh were the replacements but their contributions made little impact.

While the match was in the first minute of the injury time, Azmoun received a ball in the box reflected from a Lebanese defender, with skill and mastery, he slotted the ball into the net to score the equalizer. The host team was gutted after what they thought will be a famous win, however, Team Melii was not finished. In the remaining minutes of the 5 extra, the onslaught was total, until Ahmad Nourallhi got the winner at the last touch of the match.

It was a deserved win against a stubborn, well-disciplined defensive team. The quality of the teams, however, was clear and it told at the end.

LAST WORD

There is no denying that Lebanon has the right to choose any tactics or styles that suit the player and the coach. Obviously, they realized their limitation and capabilities and opted to build walls around their keeper.

Defensive tactics, while not particularly attractive to many fans, are legitimate and are part and parcel of football.

However, Lebanon and many other countries of the region, have gone beyond defensive tactics football and encroaches into the boundary of Black Art where gamesmanship trickery, deception, and simulation have replaced decency, honesty, and genuine hard work. Their Dark Art of time-wasting, faking injuries, grass rolling, and cheating was obvious for all who watched this match. To turn a match into ugliness and a farce, all that is needed is a sucker referee like today (Abdulrahman Al Jassim). The Qatari referee blatantly failed to observe how the Lebanese are acting and restoring to delaying tactics by faking an injury. There was plenty of such unlawful gamesmanship that the referee simply, In fact, he aided and abated this Ugly football by stopping the match for every tackle that the Lebanese players dropped on the floor!!!

It is quite surprising that very few talks about the Dark Art in Asian football. The media in South Korea briefly touched on the subject for the Lebanese to cry foul and claim discrimination.

There has to be a campaign against it. FIFA is responsible and should act as it did against the Egyptian team in the 1990 World Cup by introducing the law that prevented Keepers from handling the ball back from their players.

Something has to be publicized about Lebanon and the dark art of football.

a team like Lebanon does not deserve to be in the World Cup, using such Dark Art, spoiling the taste of the beautiful game at its most important event. They give the beautiful game of football

Lebanon all hyped up for the match vs Iran

Saida: Lebanon captain Hassan Maatouk will miss his country’s Group A clash in the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar 2022 against Iran on Thursday with a shoulder injury as Ivan Hasek’s side look to build on last month’s win over Syria.
The Lebanese will host the Group A leaders, who dropped their first points of the campaign when they drew with the Korea Republic in Tehran in October, at Saida Municipal Stadium in Saidon sitting in third place following their victory against the Syrians in Amman.
Sweden-based midfielder George Felix Melki and Al Nejmeh defender Kassem El Zein are available for Lebanon after serving one-match bans while goalkeeper Moustafa Matar is expected to feature despite picking up a shoulder injury playing for Al Ahed last weekend.
“After the performance, we had against Syria in the last match we proved that we can beat any team,” said midfielder Nader Matar. “There is great determination in our team and we promise our fans to give our best in this match in order to get a positive result.”
Lebanon, who are unbeaten in their last 12 games on home soil, are third in Group A with five points from their first four games and trail the Iranians by five points as the group approaches the halfway point.
Only the top two teams in the group are guaranteed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, with the third-placed finishers entering into a series of playoffs.
Dragan Skocic’s side started their campaign to secure the country a third successive FIFA World Cup qualification – and sixth in total – with three wins in a row before being held to a 1-1 draw by the second-placed Koreans.
The Croatian has not selected Porto striker Mehdi Taremi for the games against both Lebanon and Syria, who they face on November 16, while defenders Morteza Pouraliganji and Aref Gholami as well as Turkey-based midfielder Ali Karimi have been ruled out due to injury.
The game will be the first between the two countries since they faced off in qualifying for the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 in November 2013. The Iranians won that game 4-1.
Lebanon and Iran last met in FIFA World Cup qualifying earlier the same year, with the Carlos Queiroz-coached Team Melli notching up a comfortable 4-0 victory in Tehran’s Azadi Stadium.
Lebanon v IR Iran Venue: Saida Municipal Stadium (Saida) Kickoff: November 11, 20:00 (UTC+2)

Team Melli squad vs Lebanon & Syria

Team Melli squad 

 
BEIRANVAND, Alireza Club : D.O.B : Born : Height : International Debut : Position : Age : Boavista 22.Sep.92 Khorramabad 195 cm Iraq 04.Jan.15 Goalkeeper 28
 ABEDZADEH, Amir  Club : D.O.B: Born Height International Debut: Position: Age:  SD Ponferradina 26-Apr-93 Tehran 186 cm Uzbekistan 19.05.2018 Goalkeeper 27 years  
NIAZMAND, Payam Club : D.O.B : Born : Height : International Debut : Position : Age : Portimonense 06.Apr.95 Babol 193 cm xxx Goalkeeper 25
NOORAFKAN, Omid Club D.O.B : Born : Height : International Debut : Position : Age : Sepahan 09-Apr-97 Shahr-e-Rey 182 cm Sierra Leone 17.03.2018 Midfield 23
HAJSAFY, Ehsan Club D.O.B : Born : Height : International Debut : Position : Age : AEK Athens 25-Feb-90 Kashan 168 cm Zambia 25.May.08 Defender/Midfield 30
HARDANI , Saleh Club D.O.B : Born : Height : International Debut : Position : Age : Foolad Khuzestan 14-Sep-98 Dishmook 176 cm Syria 02.Sep.21 Midfield 23
HOSSEINI, Majid Club D.O.B : Born : Height : International Debut : Position : Age : Kayserispor 20-Jun-96 Tehran 184 cm Uzbekistan 19.May.18 Defender 25
KANANI-ZADEGAN, Hossein Club D.O.B : Born : Height : International Debut : Position : Age : Al-Ahli 23-Mar-94 Mahshahr 186 cm Uzbekistan 11.Jun.15 Defender 26
KHALILZADEH, Shojaa Club D.O.B : Born : Height : International Debut : Position : Age : Al-Rayyan 14-May-89 Ghayemshahr 182 cm Mozambique 02.May.2012 Defender 31
MOHAMMADI, Milad Club : D.O.B : Born : Height : International Debut : Position : Age : AEK Athens 29-Sep-93 Tehran 178 cm Uzbekistan 11.Jun.15 Defender 27
MOHARRAMI, Sadegh Club D.O.B : Born : Height : International Debut : Position : Age : Dinamo Zagreb 01-Mar-1996 Talesh 174 cm Bolivia 16.10.2018 Defender 24
YAZDANI, Siavaush Club : D.O.B : Born : Height : International Debut : Position : Age : Esteghlal 27.Feb.92 Mashad 190 cm xxx Center Back 29
VAHID AMIRI Club : D.O.B : Born : Height : International Debut : Position : Age : Persepolis 02-Apr-88 Darreh-ye Badam 191 cm Iraq 04.Jan.15 Forward- Midfield 32
EZATOLLAHI. Saeid Club : D.O.B : Born : Height : International Debut : Position : Age : Vejle Boldklub 01.Oct.96 Bandar Anzali 190 cm Uzbekistan 11.Jun.15 Midfield 25
GHODDOS, Saman Club : D.O.B : Born : Height : International Debut : Position : Age : Brentford 06-Sep-93 Malmo, Sweden 177 cm Lithuania 08.Jun.18 Midfield 27
GHOLIZADEH, Ali Club : D.O.B : Born : Height : International Debut : Position : Age : Charleroi 10-Mar-96 Nain 176 Sierra Leone 17. Mar.18 Midfield 25
JAHANBAKHSH, Alireza Club : D.O.B : Born : Height : International Debut : Position : Age : Feyenoord 08-Oct-93 Jirandah 180 cm Lebanon 19.Nov.13 Forward/winger 28
NOORALLAHI, Ahmad Club D.O.B : Born : Height : International Debut : Position : Age : Shabab Al-Ahli 02-Feb-93 Azadshahr 185 cm Trinidad & Tobago 15.Nov.18 Midfield 27
TORABI, Mehdi Club : D.O.B : Born : Height : International Debut : Position : Age : Persepolis 10-Sep-93 Karaj 185 cm Uzbekistan 11.Jun.15 Midfield 27
RAFIEI , Soroush Club : D.O.B : Born : Height : International Debut : Position : Age : Sepahan 24.Mar.90 Shiraz 175 cm South Korea 18.Nov.14 Midfield 31
SALMANI, Yasin Club : D.O.B : Born : Height : International Debut : Position : Age : Sepahan 27-Feb-2002 Gorgan 183 cm xxx Midfield 19
SARLAK, Milad Club : D.O.B : Born : Height : International Debut : Position : Age : Persepolis 26-Mar-95 Esfahan 181 cm Cambodia 11-June-21 Midfield 26
SAYYEDMANESH, Allahyar Club : D.O.B : Born : Height : International Debut : Position : Age : Zorya 29-Jun-01 Amol 182 cm Syria 06-June-19 Forward 19
ANSARIFARD, Karim Club D.O.B : Born : Height : International Debut : Position : Age : AEK Athens 03-Apr-90 Ardabil 175 cm Iceland 10.Nov.09 Forward 30
AZMOUN, Sardar Club : D.O.B : Born : Height : International Debut : Position : Age : Zenit St. Petersburg 01-Jan-95 Gonbad-e Kavus 185 cm Montenegro 26.May.14 Forward 25
REZAEI, Kaveh Club : D.O.B : Born : Height : International Debut : Position : Age : OH Leuven 05-Apr-92 Eslamabad-e-Gharb 185 cm Guam 03.Sep.15 Forward 29
GHAEDI, Mehdi Club : D.O.B : Born : Height : International Debut : Position : Age : Shabab Al-Ahli 05-Dec-98 Bushehr 166 cm Uzbekistan 08.Oct.20 Forward 22

Karim Bagheri update on Team Melli.

Karim Bagheri has been loaned to Team Melli as an administrator and advisor. He recently commented on the latest situation of the Team Melli squad which is preparing for two crucial matches against Lebanon and Syria in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifiers,

Bagheri said: "No match is an easy one, especially at this stage of the competition where all teams are trying to get the results to qualify for the World Cup. The same goes for Lebanon. This team (Lebanon) is playing at home and is determined to achieve the best result." He added: "on the other hand, our side is the national team of Iran with the best players it has. We always do our best to get good results in every match. It is important for our national team to win this one. We also have a tough game ahead against Syria. In these few days, we have prepared ourselves well and the players are ready to play hard with good recovery and training."

Referring to the team's training in Lebanon on artificial turf, the national team coach emphasized: "The first training session was held on artificial turf because the situation did not allow us to train on natural grass. We have this issue on Tuesday as well, but this is no excuse at all as we will practice with all our might on the main field the day before the game."

Regarding the controversy created after dropping Mehdi Taremi from the latest Team Melli list, Bagheri said: "In the last few days, things happened that created a lot of conflict and disputes. These disagreements and conflicting opinions have always existed in football. On the subject of Skocic and Taremi, our media friends could have reflected the issues much better and more rationally. We have two important games ahead. All the media outlets could have paused and kept the issue under control until we finish with these two games and then proceed to discuss and comment on the issue."

He pointed out "There was a lot of talk in these few days. Mr. Skocic, Mr. Khorshidi  (the Manager of Team Melli) and I called Taremi several times to resolve any problems. Dialogue can solve problems. We could have arrested this controversy, but unfortunately, Taremi did not answer me or Mr. Skocic!" Karim Bagheri emphasized: "The last person told me to call Mehdi, but I already have called him twice, unfortunately - Taremi did not answer. He could have his own reasons for such. God willing, these problems will be solved and Mehdi will return to the national team. Mehdi is one of our most in-form players, both in the national team and his club. He works hard and has made very good progress in his career. We do not deny this. "

The coach of the Iranian national team clarified: "If Mehdi had talked to me or Skocic, the case would have been settled more easily. Mehdi's failure to speak fueled this problem. I ask everyone not to drag this issue by blowing it out of proportion. I see on some sites that they are polling who is right and who is lying!! Support the national team because this team is for Iran and not for one or two people. We have to look at the national team as a whole. I ask the press, television, and media to support the national team. Creating controversy, inflating the situation could have negative effects on the squad. Only the name of the national team should matter, not the interest of a person. We need to come out heads high after these two games."

Iran is playing Lebanon on 11th November in Sidon.

RSC Anderlecht chasing the talented Allahyar Sayyadmanesh.

www.voetbalnieuws.be  (translated from original)

With a lot more financial resources under their arm, Anderlecht will soon start the final catch-up movement. In the coming months, more quality players can therefore be expected in the Lotto Park and preferably on a permanent basis. Allahyar Sayyadmanesh is a 20-year-old top talent who is already being linked to a Sporting. It is not a very expensive deal, but promising all the more .RSC Anderlecht was looking for stability and sustainability in the player core in the past summer Mercato, but due to the financial limitations, Sporting still had to resort to four mercenaries. In the attacking line, Joshua Zirkzee (Bayern Munich) and Christian Kouamé (Fiorentina) were loaned out, both without a purchase option, so the Belgian champion will have to look for at least two new strikers next season. Anderlecht will be able to start that search with a lot more capital. Main shareholder Marc Coucke converts 51.5 million euros of debt into capital. In addition, chairman Wouter Vandenhaute and Geert Duyck put another 24 million euros on the table to offer Sporting better financial and sporting prospects. In this way, only one bank loan of 10 million euros remains open.

That financial rescheduling has not taken place, but by the next summer, Mercato Anderlecht will be able to reap the benefits.

Peter Verbeke will then be able to enter the transfer market with a lot more financial resources compared to the past Mercato. Not coincidentally, Sporting is already being linked to multiple transfer targets. The most recent target is Allahyar Sayyadmanesh, a high-scoring striker from Zorya Luhansk.

INDISPENSABLE Allahyar Sayyadmanesh is under contract with the Turkish club Fenerbahce, but the 20-year-old Iranian striker was loaned out to Zorya Luhansk in October last year for a season and a half. Sayyadmanesh is doing very well in Ukraine, where he has scored six times and provided two assists in twelve league games this season. With these eight decisive actions, Sayyadmanesh is the most decisive player in the Premier League after Viktor Tsygankov (Dinamo Kyiv) today. Zorya Luhansk wants their center-forward, who is also remarkably often played as a left-winger this season, but would like to tie them to them permanently. In the loan contract with Fenerbahce, a buyout price of 3.5 million euros was agreed, but that amount is too high for the club from eastern Ukraine. Allahyar Sayyadmanesh is seen as an indispensable link in the team of coach Viktor Skrypnyk, and not only because of his goals.

The Ukrainian press describes Allahyar Sayyadmanesh as the real leader and booster of Zorya Luhansk, despite his youthful age of barely 20 springs.

Sayyadmanesh guides his team through difficult moments, such as his two European winning goals against Leicester City and CSKA Sofia. As a result, the club and its fans are hugely disappointed that Sayyadmanesh will return to Fenerbahce at the end of the contract  at the end of December

EUROPEAN TOP TALENTS For Zorya Luhansk, the lifting of the purchase option amounting to 3.5 million euros is impossible, so that the club will soon see their top scorer leave for Turkey. However, the general expectation is that Allahyar Sayyadmanesh will not stay at Fenerbahce for long, but will make the switch to another European club. Anderlecht is mentioned, but also PSV, Torino FC, and Shakhtar Donetsk are reportedly lurking for him.

Ukrainian media have already written that the departure of Allahyar Sayyadmanesh will be a big blow for Zorya Luhansk. The 20-year-old confirms with great success his status as one of the great European talents. The Guardian even included Sayyadmanesh in a prestigious list in 2018 as one of the sixty best young talents in the world. He was tipped by the British quality newspaper as a player for the next generation and in their latest update this month Sayyadmanesh is tipped to make a nice transfer very quickly.

In the list of sixty greatest European talents of The Guardian, Allahyar Sayyadmanesh ended up in the handsome company of Nicolas Raskin (then AA Gent, now Standard Liège), Rodrygo Goes (then Santos, now Real Madrid), Mason Greenwood (Manchester United), Curtis Jones (Liverpool), Myron Boadu (then AZ Alkmaar, now AS Monaco), Eric Garcia (then Manchester City, now FC Barcelona)

GETTING STARTED WITH KOMPANY Given the enormous potential of Allahyar Sayyadmanesh and his great recent performances at Zorya Luhansk, it is therefore not surprising that he has ended up on Anderlecht's radar. The right-footed attacker possesses some high-quality qualities such as the finish, physical strength, and heading ability. His positioning, speed, ball stability, and ball controls are also very sound. At the age of 20, Sayyadmanesh is obviously not yet a finished product, but with Vincent Kompany, Anderlecht has the ideal coach today to refine his work points and further perfect his great strengths.