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Trinidad & Tobago roster

Team Melli will be facing T&T on Thursday in Azadi Stadium as part of its long preparation for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup 2019 in the Emirates. The Trinidad side roster has been announced and it includes National Under 20 Men’s Team forward Isaiah Lee who was in Bradenton, Florida with the T&T Under 20 team. Lee is T&T’s top scorer with three goals at the CONCACAF U-20 Championship.  Earning a recall is Saudi Arabia-based player Lester Peltier and Cordell Cato, while Levi Garcia, Shahdon Winchester and Neveal Hackshaw are all missing due to injury. Also among the new call ups is 25-year-old Danish-born goalkeeper Nicklas Frenderup who plays for Norwegian First Division club Sandes ULF.  

Trinidad & Tobago Squad

 
NAME
PLAYERS CLUB #
1 SHELDON  BATEAU F.C. KAIRAT, KAZAKHSTAN 4
2 CORDELL  CATO CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE, USA 7
3 DANEIL  CYRUS AL-OROBAH F.C., SAUDI ARABIA 5
4 AUBREY  DAVID VAASAN PALLOSEURA F.C., FINLAND 2
5 NICKLAS  FRENDERUP SANDNES ULF, NORWAY 21
6 ADRIAN  FONCETTE POLICE F.C., T&T 22
7 CURTIS  GONZALES DEFENCE FORCE F.C., T&T 15
8 ATAULLA  GUERRA CHARLESTON BATTERY, U.S.A. 10
9 TRISTON  HODGE W CONNECTION F.C., T&T 18
10 AKEEM  HUMPHREY CLUB SANDO F.C., T&T 12
11 KHALEEM  HYLAND AL FAISALY F.C., SAUDI ARABIA 8
12 ALVIN  JONES W CONNECTION F.C., T&T 16
13 JOEVIN  JONES DARMSTADT 98,  GERMANY 3
14 KESTON  JULIEN AS TRENCIN FUTBAL CLUB, SLOVAKIA 6
15 ISAIAH  LEE MONROE COMMUNITY COLLEGE, USA 17
16 NATHAN  LEWIS INDY  ELEVEN F.C., USA 9
17 DUANE  MUCKETTE CENTRAL F.C., T&T 13
18 LESTON  PAUL CENTRAL F.C., T&T 23
19 LESTER  PELTIER CLUB AL MUJAZZAL, SAUDI ARABIA 11
20 MARVIN  PHILLIP CENTRAL F.C., T&T 1
21 JOMAL  WILLIAMS W CONNECTION F.C., T&T 20

24 players called to Team Melli camp.

24 players have been summoned for Team Melli training camp by head coach Carlos Queiroz. After the Venezuelan team reversal and refusal to travel to Tehran, Team Melli has one opportunity now in FIFA day and that match will be against Trinidad. Notable long-term absentees are Saeed Ezatolahie who might only recover in December , Morteza Pouraliganji and Pejman Montazeri. Alireza Jahanbakhsh also has a slight knock but might make it to the match in Azadi.  

THE SQUAD

# Player Post Club Country

GOALKEEPERS
1 ABEDZADEH, Amir GK C.S. Marítimo
2 BIRANVAND, Alireza GK Persepolis
3 HOSSEINI, Hossein GK Esteghlal

DEFENDERS
4 CHESHMI, Rouzbeh DF Esteghlal
5 GHAFOORI, Vourya DF Esteghlal
6 HOSSEINI, Majeed DF Trabzonspor
7 KANANI-ZADEGAN, Hossein DF Machine Sazi
8 KHANZADEH, Mohammadreza DF Al Ahli
9 MOHAMMADI, Milad DF Akhmat Grozny
10 MOHARRAMI, Sadegh DF Dinamo Zagreb
11 REZAEIAN, Ramin DF Al Shahaniya

MIDFIELD
11 AMIRI, Vahid MF Trabzonspor
12 DEJAGAH, Ashkan MF Tractorsazi
13 EBRAHIMI, Omid MF Al Ahli
14 GHODDOS, Saman MF Aimes
15 HAJSAFY, Ehsan MF Tractorsazi
16 NOORALLAHIE, Ahmad MF Persepolis
17 SHOJAEI, Masoud MF Tractorsazi
18 TORABI, Mehdi MF Saipa Alborz

FORWARDS
19 ANSARIFARD, Karim FW Nottingham Forest
20 AZMOUN, Sardar FW Rubin Kazan
21 GHOLIZADEH, Ali FW Charleroi 
22 JAHANBAKHSH, AliReza FW Brighton & Hove Albion
23 REZAEI, Kaveh FW FC Brugge
24 TAREMI, Mehdi FW Al Gharrafah

Queiroz did not attend AFC League Champions final.

When Giovanni Infantino , FIFA President and AFC president Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim make an effort to attend the AFC Champions League 2018 final , it is the minimum expectation for the National Team coach cadre and the head coach to be there among the elite. Not Carlos Queiroz . Queiroz was the big time absentee in yesterday's home match between Persepolis and Kashima Antlers in a jammed packed Azadi Stadium. The match ended goal-less and the Japanese club lifted the trophy for the first time after a 2-0 aggregate score. National team coaches all around the world always make it their duty to attend league matches of their domestic league and if they have players outside their country, they also attend. Gareth Southgate is seen regularly and religiously attending the Premier League as head coach of England team. Queiroz on the other hand, rarely attends Persian league football matches and even the top club game in Asian football does not seem to attract his interest. However, Queiroz is frequently turns up in Europe to watch the same players that her already know about and are fixed in his starting line up!

Iran lifts Intercontinental Beach Soccer 2018 Trophy

Iran Beach Soccer Team, made history by lifting the Huawei Intercontinental Beach Soccer 2018 Trophy in Dubai after beating Russia 4-2 in the final on Saturday. The atmosphere  of the packed stands in the Kite Beach in Jumeirah was electrifying as both the Iranian and Russian fans made themselves heard even before the start of the match. for both sets of fans livened up the proceedings at the 3,500-seater, state of the art stadium with drum beats and horns. Iran were 3-0 ahead in the first period as the Russians were stunned by the wave after wave of Iranian offensive moves. By the third period, Russia managed to pull 1 goal back to make it 3-1 but Iran scored again to make it 4-1 Russia, quite fatigued from yesterdays marathon and difficult win in the semi-final but s yet still determined to make a game of it against Iran, pulled one more goal back in the 3rd period to make it 4-2. After the Russian goal, they attacked in force but they were open for Iranian counter attack of which many chances were missed to increase Iran's tally of goals. At the end of the action-packed 36 minutes , it did not matter as the two goal victory margin was maintained by Iran until the end to win their second Intercontinental Beach Soccer  Trophy after 2013. Ahmadzadeh lifted the cup as the players and Iranian fans rejoiced. For the Asian champions and winners of the 2013 competition, it was the second win against Russia and the only unbeaten team in the tournament.  

Great support for Persepolis in Azadi

The magnificent Azadi stadium is full up to the hilt with fans in anticipation of the kick off at 18:30 local time of the return final match between Persepolis and Kashima Antlers of Japan.

For the first time in international matches, a section is also allocated for females and families, allowing women to attend matches.

As usual for such important matches in Azadi Sport Complex, crowds have flocked to Azadi since last night with vendors reserving their space to sell all sort of merchandise including Persepolis banners and Iranian flags. Crowds from outside Tehran also use the space for sleeping before the match the next day.

This match has been sold out over a week ago as it went on-line to control black market, however, from previous experience with Iranian football, even a controlled sale of tickets on-line has resulted in thousands of ticket holders holding legitimate tickets being left behind closed doors in Azadi stadium.

The AFC has demanded strict control on the ticket sales and imposed strict guidelines on crowd safety including banning of spectators sitting on stairs leading to exits.

This match on Saturday evening is a great test for Iranian football both on and off the field. Organization and management has not been one of the great traits of Iranian administrators in football, unlike the footballers it produces. It remains to be seen who this match ends up in a positive impressions.

Persepolis is two goals behind, but it is not a lost cause at all as seen from the first game in Japan. Persepolis has Siamak Nemati suspended due to his red card.

Iran to Meet Russia in the Intercontinental Beach Soccer championship final.

Iran Beach Soccer National Team will meet Russia i the final of the Huawei Intercontinental Beach Soccer championship in Dubai.

After Iran defeated Egypt 3-1 in the first semi-final, Russia met Brazil in the other semi final to take a 3-0 lead against the Brazilians in the 3rd period. The Latin American champions came back strongly and managed to equalize 5-5 in a thriller. Russia won on [penalty kicks.

This is the second meeting between Iran and Russia . In group stages, Iran defeated Russia 3-2.

After the marathon semi against Brazil, the Russians will possibly suffer from fatigue. It will be to a great advantage for Team Melli to lift the trophy once again in the Intercontinental Beach Soccer championship

SEMI FINAL Report

Iran v Egypt 

The first of the day’s semi-final saw the undefeated Iran take on Egypt for a place in tomorrow’s final.  It was clear from the start how much passage to the last round meant to these teams…

The game started at an electrically high pace from the kick-off, with players chasing down every pass and getting away as many shots as possible. But defence was as good as attack, and the alert goalkeepers were kept in action at both ends.

Despite a high quantity of shots the scoreline remained unchanged all the way through the first period and far from being a dull match, the tension seemed to build as the players went back to their benches to regroup.

It was obvious that both sides were desperate not to fall behind and the second period went very similarly to the first: high intensity, but still no goals. That is, until, the Iranian number fifteen, Masoumizadeh, forced some space for himself to set up an overhead which the keeper couldn’t swat away, despite getting a finger to it.

The stalemate finally broken, the game suddenly took on a very different feel. Egypt were chasing and would have to increase their attacking play even more. The second whistle went with the slim lead still intact for Iran.

Quite the contrary of being content with their advantage, Iran had tasted blood, and pushed for more goals, hitting the post and piling the attacks on the Egyptian defence. A second goal was coming and the former champions found it through Mirshekari who came diving in at the back post to poke in an overhead shot that had been heading wide.

The huge numbers of Iranian fans in the crowd screamed with joy, but then the Egyptian captain, Samir, converted a penalty and the noise receded a little as the score sat at a close 2-1… but just for a matter of seconds as Kiani reinstalled a two-goal advantage with a sweet volley directly from the restart.

Egypt mounted some last-minute attacks but the Persians defended effectively to see out the final moments, sealing that crucial spot in the final. Egypt will play in tomorrow’s third-place play-offs, while Iran have the chance the repeat beach socer history.

Goals: 1-0: Masoumizadeh, min. 4 (2); 2-0: A. Mirshekari, min. 4 (3); 2-1: M. Samir, min. 4 (3); 3-1: M. Kiani, min. 4 (3);

Ivan Leko supports Kaveh Rezaie, to return to his form after injury setback.

FC Brugge will be playing against According Sporting Charleroi in the fifteenth week of the Jupiler Pro League on Saturday night. This encounter is a special match for Brugge and Team Melli center forward Kaveh Rezaei, as he will be facing his former team

"It's true that Rezaei is not in an ideal form right now, but he's already working quite hard after his injury and adjusting to playing in the bigger team, at the price the media places on him," said the Croatian coach Ivan Leko, “ I'm sure that the time will make when Rezaei will return to his ideal conditions. He is a good player with a good mindset and quality that will definitely play a more important role for us in the coming weeks. Rezaei uses every minute of the team's training, and I'm impressed by his progress and commitment in recent weeks.”

Kaveh Rezaei , (26 years) who was transferred from Sporting Charleroi for 5 million Euros , at the beginning of the 2018/19 season , was injured and sidelined for a few weeks. He has already made 6 appearances with his new club including games in the UEFA Champions League and scored 1 goal.

Iran Beach soccer tops the table and qualifies for the semi.

Iran Beach soccer qualified for the Semi Final of Huawei Intercontinental Beach Soccer in Dubai after a thrilling win against Russia.

Iran against Russia was one of the day’s more competitive games as neither had lost and a winning streak was at stake. On top of that, both of these teams were previous winners of the tournament and had already qualified for the next round.

It took a while for the sides to break the stalemate and it was obvious from the kick off that neither wanted to blink first in this clash of beach soccer giants.

The 2013 competition winners, Iran, drew first blood as Akbari knocked the ball home from a corner with just a minute of the first period to go. The Russians mounted aggressive attacks in response but almost immediately after the first came a second Iran goal when Piramoun also got on the scoresheet.

The second period began with the Russian trailing and with a task on their hands to get back into the tie. The prolific Russians that had scored so many in the previous games could not break through. It wasn’t until the third period when Romanov pounced to cut the deadlock to just one that Russians came alive.

Then, who else but Zemskov - scoring his eighth goal of the tournament! – equalised and the Russian supporters exploded in celebration.

However, the level-pegging didn’t last long as the Iranian men in red found their champion in Behzadpour, who netted what would be the winner, and the other half of the stands, with just four minutes to go, started a party of their own.

Russia thought they’d equalised late on when Zemskov scored again but the referee, deeming that he had pushed the goalkeeper to the ground in the build-up, discounted it, and Iran, after having a goal of their own disallowed earlier on, were saved.

The Persians top the group and will meet Egypt in the first semi final on Friday while Russia finish in second and must face the powerful Brazil in the other semi-final..

Goals: 1-0: A. Akbari, min. 1 (1); 2-0: S. Piramoun, min. 0 (1); 2-1: Romanov, min. 8 (3); 2-2: Zemskov, min. 7 (3); 3-2: Behzadpour, min. 4 (3);

AFC U-23 Championship Scedule announced

Kuala Lumpur: The journey to the AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020 Qualifiers has begun following the official draw ceremony at the AFC House on Wednesday. 

The Draw divided the 44 participating teams into two zones of WEST (West + South + Central) with 24 teams, and EAST (East + ASEAN) with 20 teams.

Qatar will host Group A as they aim to make their third appearance in the AFC U23 Championship Finals. They will face Oman, Nepal and Afghanistan.

Group B host Bahrain will attempt qualifying for the Finals for the fourth time, as they go up against Palestine, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Islamic Republic of Iran, the host nation for Group C, will test their mettle against Iraq, Turkmenistan and Yemen.

Saudi Arabia, the 2013 runners-up, will be aiming to better their previous best result after failing to progress past the group stage in January. They host United Arab Emirates, Lebanon and Maldives in Group D.

Kuwait were among the first teams to participate in the first-ever AFC U23 Championship in 2013, and will bid to reach the Finals again when they face Jordan, Syria and Kyrgyz Republic in Group E.

Reigning champions and Group F hosts Uzbekistan will begin their title defence against Tajikistan, India and Pakistan in Group F.

Mongolia will be counting on home support when they host Group G, going up against DPR Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Cambodia have yet to reach the Finals but they are determined to impress when they welcome Korea Republic, Australia and Chinese Taipei in Group H.

After missing out on two editions, Group I host Myanmar, will play against 2016 winners Japan, Timor-Leste and Macau.

Group J host Malaysia, who reached the quarter-finals of the competition for the first time in their history in January, are set to host China PR, Laos and Philippines.

Vietnam, who finished runners-up in the 2018 edition, will host Group K, where they will meet Thailand, Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam.

The 11 group winners and four best second-placed teams will qualify for the Finals, with the host nation of the Finals receiving automatic qualification.

In the event that the host of the Finals, Thailand, finish among the qualified teams to the Finals (either top of the group or one of the four best second-placed teams), the next (fifth) second-placed team in the ranking among all groups will qualify to the Finals instead.

The 2020 Qualifiers will be held on March 22-26, 2019.

Iran registers 2nd win in Beach Soccer

Iran Beach Soccer National Team defeated Tahiti 4-2 at the 2018 Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup on Wednesday in Dubai. The team is now has two wins in as many matches.   The National Team which had started the competition with a 8-1 routing of U.S. in Group B, will meet Russia to decide the group winners. In Tuesday match , the Asian champion had seven different players scoring as it ran riot with an 8-1 thumping of the USA in the late match of Tuesday night. Mohammad Moradi opened the scoring in the very first minute and then added a second midway to be the only one from his team with a brace, while the other goals came from his teammates Amir Hossein Akbari, Mohammad Ahmadzadeh, Mustafa Kiani, Moslem Mesigar, Mohammad Masoumizadeh and Ali Mirshekari as Iran led 8-0 by the end of the second period. Gabriel Silveira pulled a goal back for the American team. The tournament, which is organized by the Dubai Sports Council (DSC) and Beach Soccer Worldwide (BSWW), is being held in Dubai, the UAE from November 6 to 10.  

Iran vs Tahiti Match Goals:

0-1: Amir Hossein Akbari, min. 10 (1); 0-2: Mohammad Masoumizadeh, min. 1 (1); 0-3: Hamid Behzadpour, min. 0 (1); 0-4: Mohammad Masoumizadeh, min. 5 (2); 1-4: Lebaste, min. 5 (2); 2-4: Zaveroni, min. 0 (3);