Author: admin

Wilmots aims to lead Iran to top Group C at FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.

Iran national soccer team head coach, Marc Wilmots, said they want to progress as Group C winners at the Asian Qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup, Tehran Times daily reported on Saturday.

Team Melli has been drawn along with Iraq, Bahrain, Hong Kong of China and Cambodia.

"First of all, I have to say it is certainly not easy at all. All teams will participate in the competition armed to the teeth. And it will be a top-level competition," the Belgian coach told Iran Football Federation's website.

"We respect all our opponents in the group; however, we will do our best to win the group," Wilmots added.

Iran will start the campaign with a match against Hong Kong, China on September 10.

The eight group winners and four best runners-up will advance to the final round of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Milad Mohammadi transfered to GEent

Team Melli defender Milad Mohammadi signed a three-year contract with K.A.A. Gent club today. Mohammadi a 25 year-old Iranian international  has already collected 30 caps for the national team. He was present with Iran at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. He is a versatile and fast left back that can also handle the right side of the defence too.

At the start of his career, he played in Iran for a number of years. Via the Iranian Damash Tehran and Niroeye Zamini. He then transferred to Rah Ahan where he broke through in the first team. In 2016, he opted for an adventure with the Russian first Division team Akhmat Grozny . He played 82 games in both the league and the cup and scored 3 times. He also delivered 5 assists. Ghent or as they are known by their nickname De Buffalo's (English: The Buffalos), is a Belgian football, track and field and field hockey club, based in the city of Ghent, East Flanders. Their football team have been playing in the Belgian Pro League since the 1989–90 season.

They won the national league once, in 2014–15, in addition to three Belgian Cup victories. Ghent played their home matches in the Jules Ottenstadion in Gentbrugge from 1920 until 2013, when they moved to the 20,000 seaters Ghelamco Arena. Their team colours are blue and white. The principal sponsor is the financial institution VDK NV. The team head coach is the Danish Jess Thorup

FIFA WC 2022 Asian Qualifiers Draw

The Round Two draw of the Asian Qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 concluded in the Malaysian capital on Wednesday.

The draw, conducted by FIFA Director of Competitions Christian Unger and Australian legend Tim Cahill, saw Asia's top-ranked team Iran pooled in Group C alongside Iraq, Bahrain, Hong Kong and Cambodia.

Iran will be aiming for a third consecutive appearance in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, having narrowly missed on qualifying for the knockout stage in Russia 2018.

Japan, Asia's best performers in the 2018 FIFA World Cup where they were defeated by Belgium in the Round of 16, were drawn in Group F with Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Myanmar and Mongolia.

The Korea Republic, who have appeared in every edition of the FIFA World Cup Finals since 1986, will have Lebanon, DPR Korea, Turkmenistan and Sri Lanka in Group H of the Asian Qualifiers.

Saudi Arabia, who defeated Egypt 2-1 to end their 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign on a high, will face Uzbekistan, Palestine, Yemen and Singapore in Group D.

Australia, who became the record fifth Asian team at a World Cup Finals after going through the Inter-Continental Playoff to earn a berth in Russia 2018, will go up against Jordan, Chinese Taipei, Kuwait and Nepal in Group B.

Qatar, who will host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, were drawn in Group E alongside Bangladesh, Oman, India and Afghanistan in their bid to defend the AFC Asian Cup they won in spectacular fashion in the UAE last February.

China PR, the host for the AFC Asian Cup 2023, will have to navigate past Syria, Philippines, Maldives and Guam in Group A their bid for a second appearance in the FIFA World Cup Finals.

Group G had a distinctly Southeast Asian flavour as ASEAN rivals Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia were all drawn together, with the United Arab Emirates completing the cast.

The eight group winners and four best runners-up will advance to the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Finals and the final round of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

The next best 24 teams from the second round of the joint qualifiers will compete in a separate competition for the remaining 12 slots in the 24-team AFC Asian Cup China 2023.

FIFA deadline on allowing females into stadiums

FIFA deadline for Iran, to allow females in the stadiums starting with FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifying matches has expired today, and now the Iranian Football Association is forced to allow families and ladies into the stadiums while hosting Team Melli matches.

In other word, the promise given by President Hassan Rouhani to the FIFA president Infantino needs to be implemented else Iranian football will possibly be sanctioned.

 12 days after Iran and Syria's friendly match at Azadi Stadium, Gianni Infantino, in a letter to the Iranian Football Federation, praised the presence of women in that match, requesting that the process be continued, and the ban on the presence of women in Iranian stadiums fully lifted.  In this letter, a deadline for Iran's football was set on the 15th of July, after which women would be free to attend all stadiums hosting all football matches at national and international levels.

This did not occur last time Team Melli played against the Omid team, but in any case, that match was played behind closed doors and was off-limits to the public in Azadi.

The FIFA president mentioned in the letter that Iran's football should take a lesson from the recent Women's World Cup in France and free up the presence of families at Iranian stadiums. Infantino has pointed out that FIFA is aware of the cultural challenges and simply wants to make progress in this regard, not only because of the progress of women in the world, but also as a matter of fact, and is one of the fundamental principles of the FIFA Constitution.

On Monday, Mahdi Taj stated that the response letter was sent to FIFA and the federation is allowing women in the national team home games in the 2022 World Cup.

With the end of the FIFA deadline, a big challenge is brewing for the football executives because, despite the promises of authorities in the past, there has not been a definite step in the preparation of women's presence in the stadium, which still has a lot of legal prohibitions and sensitivities.

The problem, of course, is not the FFIRI which is quite content to allow women in the stadium, but the religious fundamentalist who are determined to force their extremist ideas on the population.

Team Melli and Omid football team met today in Azadi Stadium at 18:30 in a friendly match. The match ended in a one-on-one draw.

Mehrdad Mohammadi scored in the 13th minute for the Team Melli while Abolfazl Razzaghpour scored for the Omid team in the 65th minute.

Team Melli played in Red under Marc Wilmots and Farhad Majidi’s Omid Team played in white outfits.

 First half

In the 11th minute and on the first serious attack, Mehrdad Mohammadi scored the opening goal of the match after a smart move from the right side followed by a neat strike.

After the goal, the match was balanced without much serious threats on either goals.

19th minute, Alireza Arta, who had penetrated into Team Melli half attempted a shot but it ended just over the bar of Rashid Mazaheri goal.

22nd minute, the game was paused by a rough tackle by Aref Gholami on Shahriar Moghanlou. For a few minutes, the doctors treated him and the player eventually continued to play without difficulty. Following the brief pause, the technical game and technical movements of the Team Melli players for the next period was countered by some rough tackling from Omid Team players !.

29th minute, Mehrdad Mohammadi could have scored the second but his powerful long-range shot was a whisker away.

40th minute, Mohammad Moslemipour missed a good chance to score the equalizer

The first half of the game ended 1-0 in favour of Wilemots players.

second half

in the second half, a complete new Team Melli showed up. Farhad Majidi also substituted several players, including Reza Jabeirah for Ghaedi, Mohammad Amin Asadi, for Azadi and Mohammad KhodabandehLo, for Babaei.

In the second half, most of the Team Melli's attacks came from the right-hand side, and a Peyman Ranjbari was initiating most of the attacks.

50th minute, another goal-scoring chance was missed for Team Melli.

63rd minute, a mistake in Omid defence by Taha Shariati and quick move of Saeed Vasei's, who robbed the ball and sent it to Peyman Ranjbari, but the striker could not reach it and missed a golden chance.

66th minute, misunderstanding in Team Melli defence between Mohammad Mohebi and Ahmad Gowhari, resulted in a goal. Quick thinking Abolfazl Razzaghpour took the Opportunity to score Omid Team’s equalizer from an acute angle.

67th minute, Mohammad Naderi shoots from the corner to the right of Team Melli's penalty area, but his ball missed the target.

73rd minute, Ali Karimi’s nice cross was met by Peyman Ranjbari who headed powerfully, Nima Mirzazad saved well for a corner.

80th minute: the injury to Peyman Ranjbari, Shahriar Moghanlou returned back to the pitch.

87th minute, another chance missed by Team Melli, Omid defence sending the ball to a corner at last gasp.

The match did not have any yellow or red cards, but there were the occasional rough tackles that derived to punished by a card.

TEAM MELLI

First half: Rashid Mazaheri, Mohammad Hossein Moradmand, Siavash Yazdani, Daniel Esmaeilifar, Saeed Aghaei, Reza Asadi, Amir Hossein Karimi, Mehrdad Mohammadi, Mohammad Karimi, Arash Rezavand and Shahriar Moghanlou.

Second half: Ahmad Gowhari (Mehdi Amini, 67), Peyman Ranjbari, Mohammad Mohebbi, Ali Karimi, Imani Salimi, Saeed Vasei, Mohammad Ansari, Mehdi Shiri, Majid Alyari, Mohammad Naderi, Ahmad Abdollahzadeh.

Omid Team:

Me’araj Esmaeli (Nima Mirzadeh 45), Alireza Arta (Mohammad Aghajanpour 34), Aref Gholami, Taha Shariati, Muslimpour (Abolfazl Razzaghpour 45), Ismail Babaei (Mohammad Khodabandelo 45), Mehdi Mehdikhani (Reza Karimi 34) (Reza Shekari 45), Seyyed Mohammad Khorram Hosseini, Mehdi Ghaedi (Reza Jabeireh 45), Amir Roustaei (Amir Hossein Hosseinzadeh 34) and Mohammad Reza Azadi (Mohammad Amin Asadi 45).

Krim Ansarifard in the Qatar Star League

The former Nottingham Forest player and Team Melli centre forward, Karim Ansarifard signed a 2-year contract with Al Sailiya Sports Club in Doha.

Al-Sailiya SC is managed by the Tunisian Sami Trabelsi and Ansarifard is the only non-Arab player in the squad which is mainly formed of north African and Sudanese players.

Last season, the club ended the season in a very respectable 3rd position behind champions Al Sadd and runners up Al Duhail. This was one of the best rankings of Al Sailiya in Qatar Star league. Ansarifard, whose contract with English Championship club Nottingham forest has run out, had a few good seasons in Greece before moving to England and the disappointment of Nottingham Forest. In 2017/18 season, the 29 years old Ansarifard played in the Greek League for Olympiakos Piraeus where he scored 17 goals in 26 matches. However, in England, Ansarifard only managed 3 goals in 12 matches without securing a starting place in the line up of coach O'Neil.

Nottingham Forest had to endure a lot before managing to secure the signature of Ansarifard last season after eventually getting his work permit sorted out, but after all that effort the striker was to warm the bench for most of the season!

England has never been a successful playing ground for Iranian internationals and despite the small number of them playing in England, none of the Iranians managed to claim success. Jahanbaksh, the Top Scorer of the Eredivisie, was bought by Brighton for a record fee, but he could not score a single goal in the Premier League or other competitions with his team in a full season. It is to be noted however that Jahanbakhsh only played 19 games for Brighton missing many due to injury and then the AFC Asian Cup 2019 while he was away with Team Melli.

A whole new Team Melli squad.

Marc Wilmots has called upon 23 Persian Gulf League players for a five-day training camp commencing on Wednesday.

According to the federation website, this camp will coincide with Omid Team Camp headed by Farhad Majidi, will be held behind closed doors at Azadi Stadium.

The new squad list does not resemble anything like a Team Melli team and, although there are a few familiar names that have periodically been picked as bench players, the majority are unknown players that have been singled out as potential good prospects for Team Melli. The interesting point is the age group that Wilmots and other selectors have picked and that is around the 22-24 years old.

The odd one out is the ex-Sepahan player Mehrdad Mohammadi who is now playing for the Portuguese club, Aves player. The 25 years old, is the twin brother of Milad Mohammadi, the left back of Team Melli.

 

The objective of this squad is for Wilmots to mostly recognize domestic players. The next team major commitment is in September where the official matches are played and the squad of Team Melli might need enhancements.

However, given the names that made the list, some of whom were playing in the lower league last season, the question arises as to who Welmots has counseled in his team or elsewhere and what cognition does he have of any of these players?  A question that poses a lot of attention especially as the transfer season has started and being in the Team Melli squad will definitely increase the players' value.

 

As an example, in the new list of Team Melli, Mohammad Mohebbi and Peyman Ranjbari were playing in League One last season, or in the case of Saeed Wasei who plays for Peykan, his statistics of three goals scored and one assist last season, while in the same Team Peykan, Isa Al Katheer has scored eight goals and had two assists but has not been invited to Team Melli. Perhaps the five-year age difference between the two players was a point considered in the selection, but Wasei's statistics are not eye-catching, to say the least at his age (24 years), It can't be considered a phenomenon. In any case, Wilmot's move to give players who may have a chance of being part of the Squad is a positive move, but it was better if such selection was done on a more positive footing and clear of any bias and favoritism.

Question marks will linger about many names and even more about those who are absent.

The names of the players and teams that are present are as follows:

Goalkeepers:

Mohammad Rashid Mazaheri (29): Tractor

Mehdi Amini (23): Peykan

Ahmed Gohari (23): Saipa

Defenders:

Mohammad Ansari (27): Persepolis

Mohammad Hussein Moradmand (age 26): Padideh

Siavash Yazdani (27): Esteghlal

Iman Saleemi (23): Tractorsazi

Daniel Esmaeilifar (26): Zob Ahan

Mehdi Shiri (28): Persepolis

Mohammad Naderi (22 ): Persepolis

Saeed Aghaei (24 ): Sepahan

Midfielders:

Ali Karimi (25): No club

Ahmad Abdullah Zadeh (26): Foolad Khuzestan

Amir Hossein Karimi (23): Peykan

Reza Asadi (23): No club

Mehrdad Mohammadi (25): Aves

Mohammad Mohebbi (21): Sepahan.

Muhammad Karimi (23): Sepahan

Saeed Wasei (24): Peykan

Arash Rezavand (25): Esteghlal

Majid Alayari (24): Saipa

Forwards

Shahriar Moghanloo (24): Peykan

Peyman Ranjbari (26): Golghar

Ali Shojaei: A player to watch

Ali Shojaei (born January 27, 1997) is considered one of the brightest talents in Iran’s football. 

Unlike many players who become famous and popular for their goals in Iranian football, this player is a defender-cum-winger who is on the brink of stardom. Shojaei is a player who can occupy the left-wing midfield and left-back defense. Currently, he plays for Nasiji Mazandaran Club in the Persian Gulf Premier League. However, Esteghlal Tehran, one of the two major clubs of Iran, is chasing his signature on a 3 years contract to play for the famous blues of Tehran in the new season.

Shojaei is born in Tehran and he started his football with Saipa making his debut in a Hazfi Cup match.

It wasn’t long before this impressive young player was spotted by the Youth national team selectors. He was in the squad for the U17 (2009-2013), U20 (2014-2017), U21 (2014-2017) and Omid Team (2018-2019)

With an excellent season with Nasaji, the player's performance was bound to attract the big clubs. While Nasaji is quite reluctant to release him, they are helpless in keeping him for another season as they cannot match the offers of Esteghlal nor can they block his future success.

Ali Shojaei was one of the squad members of Iran’s FIFA Youth World Cup in 2017. He was the vice-captain of the team. Many observers admired the quality of Shojaei at that tournament.

What sets SHojaei apart from many left backs is his influence as an attacking winger. Time and again, his powerful runs on the left flank both at the club and national teams have produced goals for his teams.

Shojaei is quite an Influential and effective player in attack despite being a defender.

With his excellent physical fitness and stamina, Shojaei has set a good example for his teammates.   There are many other good qualities but his crosses and accurate long passes are exceptional.

The accuracy of crosses has helped the forwards and midfield player of his teams to score valuable goals. His crosses, particularly, are a delight to watch.

There are only a few excellent left-wing players in Iran’s football history, Ali Shojaei can certainly register his name as one of the greatest if he continues his progress, hard work, dedication, and the right attitude. Many young Iranians, in fact far too many, fail to achieve excellence and meet expectations because of the wrong attitude and disciplinary issues.

As a defender, it is difficult to become a household name in Iran, but the excellence of Shojaei might just prove many wrongs.

Ali Shojaei at 22, is already a mature and competent player. He is the one to watch. Do not be surprised if Marc Wilmots invites him to Team Melli soon where players like Milad Mohammadi is already established in that post.

Zenit's reported Rogic interest could give Celtic a golden chance to sign Sardar Azmoun

Danny Owen

https://www.hitc.com/

Russian Premier League winner Sardar Azmoun has been linked with Scottish Premiership champions Celtic since 2017.

Celtic might just have been handed the best chance they will ever get to finally bring Sardar Azmoun to Glasgow.

The Mirror (22 April, page 48) reported last year that The Hoops were eyeing an ambitious swoop for a player who’s ‘Iranian Messi’ moniker has followed him around for as long as memory will allow. That came approximately 12 months after Celtic first expressed their interest in Azmoun, who’s £10 million price-tag would have made him the Premiership champions’ all-time record signing.

But if this long-awaited switch is ever going to happen, it’s now.

According to The Herald, Zenit St Petersburg are planning a £9 million bid for Celtic’s enigmatic midfielder Tom Rogic. The Russian champions will have to do a lot better than that, however, with Celtic demanding closer to £15 million for the former Central Coast Mariners starlet.

Offering Azmoun as part of the deal, however, might be enough to twist Celtic’s arm.

Tom Rogic of Australia after the International Friendly match between the Australian Socceroos and Korea Republic at Suncorp Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Brisbane, Australia.

The 24-year-old enjoyed the best season of his career after swapping Rubin Kazan for Zenit, netting 17 times in all competitions including three in four Europa League matches.

A clinical finisher with a fearsome leap, Azmoun looks every inch the natural-born goalscorer Celtic have needed since Moussa Dembele left for Lyon. If Zenit is willing to offer Azmoun for Rogic, the Hoops might just have to bite their hands off.

30 players are invited for Omid Team camp

The names of the Omid Team players were announced by the FFIRI. According to the official website of the Football Association, 30 players are invited for the U-23 team training camp commencing July 10th and lasting 5 days. The squad selected by Farhad Majidi and his technical assistants will also play a friendly against Team Melli at the end of the camp on 15th July. Iran's Olympic team is attempting to qualify for the Olympics football competition for the first time since 1980. The names of 30 invited players are as follows: Me'araj Esmaeli (Zob Ahan), Mehdi Ghaedi, Mehdi Noorollahi, Reza Azari (Esteghlal Tehran) Nima Mirzazad (Nasaji Mazandaran) Ismael Babaei (Fajr Sepasi Shiraz) Reza Shekari (Rubin Kazan, Russia) Hossein Pourhamidi (Golghar Sirjan) Mohammad Khorram Al-Husseini (Machine-Sazi Tabriz ) Aref Gholami , Vahid Namdari (Foulad Khouzestan) Amir Roustai, Abolfazl Razzaghpour , Mohammad Khodabandehloo (Peykan Tehran) Amir Mahdi Janmalaki, Taha Shariati, Abolfazl Jalali, Amir Hossein Hosseinzadeh, Omid Dareh, Reza Jafari (Saipa) Ramin Davoudi (Esteghlal Khouzestan) Mehdi Memizadeh (Niroo Zamini) Alireza  Arta (Mes Kerman) Reza Jabirah (Sanat Naft Abadan) Mohammad Mehdi Mahdikhani, Mohammad Aghajanpour, Sina Zamehran (Padidah) MohammadReza Azadi, Mohammad Moslimpour (Tractorsazi) Mohammad Amin Asadi (Persepolis )