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Bosnia names the PROVISIONAL list for the World Cup 2014

Bosnia coach Safet Susic has  named a largely expected 24-man provisional World Cup squad after calling up the bulk of the players who steered the Balkan country to their first major tournament as an independent nation. Limited options in all departments mean that only one of those starting the build-up for the 32-nation tournament in Brazil will be a surplus to requirements when the final roster is decided on June 2. 'Only the players who are regular starters at their clubs could expect a call-up and having a compact unit such as this one is essential for a good atmosphere in the dressing room, the 59-year old former Yugoslavia forward said.    

BOSNIA'S PROVISIONAL WORLD CUP SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Asmir Begovic (Stoke City), Jasmin Fejzic (Aalen), Asmir Avdukic (Borac Banja Luka) Defenders: Emir Spahic (Bayer Leverkusen), Sead Kolasinac (Schalke), Ermin Bicakcic (Eintracht Braunschweig), Ognjen Vranjes (Elazigspor), Toni Sunjic (Zorya Lugansk), Avdija Vrsajevic (Hajduk Split), Mensur Mujdza (Freiburg), Ervin Zukanovic (Gent) Midfielders: Zvjezdan Misimovic (Guizhou Renhe), Haris Medunjanin (Gaziantepspor), Miralem Pjanic (Roma), Sejad Salihovic (Hoffenheim), Senad Lulic (Lazio), Izet Hajrovic (Galatasaray), Senijad Ibricic (Erciyesspor), Edin Visca (Istanbul BB), Tino Susic (Hajduk Split), Muhamed Besic (Ferencvaros), Anel Hadzic (Sturm Graz) Forwards: Edin Dzeko (Manchester City), Vedad Ibisevic (VfB Stuttgart)

Team Melli players’ preoccupation with club careers.

While Team Melli will be hitting the trail again in the next few days , destination Vienna , Austria, many of the players will carry along with them one heavy additional baggage. Club careers are pre- occupying their thoughts and possibly disturbing their concentration at the wrong time.

Domestically and in the aftermath of uncovering players wages in the media, with some very hefty wages that is well above the Iranian high professional pay scales, the public questioned the merits of these wages especially and particularly that the source of money paid to footballers is from Public Fund and not generated by the clubs.

The Minister of sport was highly critical of the situation and under pressure from the parliament and his peers, changes in the pay structure and club managements have ensued. Both the top clubs, Persepolis and Esteghlal will see major management changes, stricter payments to players and coaches, belt tightening policies and proper audit system for accounting those expenses. Persepolis has started the ball rolling with the appointment of a new CEO. Rahimi , the ex- CEO of Sepahan was recently appointed to replace the short stint of Ali Parvin as the boss. Esteghlal will follow suite.

Such changes have not gone unnoticed by the players many of whom still waiting on payment arrears by their clubs. Almost all the clubs in Iran are under debt, some much bigger than others. With the uncertainty raised due to the recent development, many players are concerned and worried while thinking of moving on. As such, the business of players agents is picking up sharply in Iran, with significant activities in the last few weeks.

أحمد آل نعمه

Much of the negotiations are carried out in secret as no one is willing to discuss anything that might threaten a deal. What is known though, is that many agents will be in Vienna during the Team Melli camp looking for players’ signature. The Qatari clubs have been quite active followed by some German Bundesliga clubs. It is also rumored that the English clubs will be sending some scouts to watch Iran games, but as these things operate, these scouts or agents will hardly reveal any names preferring to operate quietly and in privacy giving the media little indication of their targets.

What the observers expect is a big clear out and club changes of Iranian players after the World Cup. Legionnaire players such as Dejagah , Ghoochannejad, Jahanbaksh and possibly Sardar Azmoun could be on the move. Shojae’s future with Las Palmas is dependent on whether the Canary Island Team is promoted or not.

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Many domestic players are looking West. Reza Haghighi is leaving Persepolis to a Bundesliga team pending formalities, Teymourian has many proposals, Nekounam , despite the rumors, will stay with Al Kuwait barring any last minute hitches, Khalatbary is looking at Qatar again, Bakhtiyar Rahmani has many proponents in Doha as well. Ahmed Ale Nemeh is also on the list of Qatar clubs.

With Persepolis and Esteghlal in financial disarray, some player’s migration is expected towards other local clubs. Sepahan is expected to lead the changes along with Persepolis and Esteghlal.

All these developments are coming at a crucial stage for Team Melli while preparing for the FIFA World Cup. With the players’ concerns for their future and naturally some worries of the unknown, the focus and concentration of these players will be affected. Their mental reediness and state of mind need to be at their highest for the biggest show on the earth. The onus is on Team Melli staff and particularly Querioz to ease their worries and channel their effort towards the World Cup and team preparations.

Futsal Team Melli romps past Australia

Ho che Minh Iran's Futsal team defeated Australia 8-1 on Sunday to complete the Group matches with a perfect record in an enthralling Group B contest at Ton Duc Thang University Stadium. Australia entered the match after two wins in as many matches, the same record as Iran with determination to end the Persian dominance over them lasting for years. Iranian players , however , continued their excellent performance following the match against China where they put a dozen goals past the hapless Chinese without reply. The excellent Hossein Tayyebi scored in the first minute while Mohammad Taheri scored 4 minutes later to make it 2-0 for Iran. Tayyebi completed his hat trick within 10 minutes after scoring twice, to make it 4 for Iran, Australia scored one goal while  Vafaei (15) and  Shafei (16) added two more goals for the first half to finish with Iran leading by a big margin , 6-1. Like the previous match , Candelas decided to give playing time for the bench players in the second half. While Team Melli eased the pressure , they still added to more goal by Esmaelipour (28) and Taheri (29). The match ended 8-1 for Team Melli to easily go through the group stages along with the runner up Australia. In the other group match played at the same time , Indonesia narrowly defeated China 4-3 IRIB was supposed to broadcast the match live to the viewers, however Javad Khiabani claimed that technical problems is preventing the live broadcast of the match(...), however few minutes later on another Iranian TV channel, the sport news was aired and the Newscaster announced that Iran was leading Australia in AFC Futsal match in Vietnam , while showing live and clear footage of the match. There was no technical problems there!!! In the Quarter finals round , Iran will be meeting the Runner Up of Group A  (Iraq or Vietnam) on the 7th May. [divider]   Afc,cim report Ho Chi Minh City: Hossein Tayebi scored a first half hat-trick as 10-time champions Iran recorded a third consecutive win at the AFC Futsal Championship with Sunday’s 8-1 victory over Australia at Phu Tho Stadium securing top spot in Group C. Mohammad Taheri, Alireza Vafaei and Vahid Shafiei also scored for Iran in the first half, with Daniel Fogarty briefly equalising for Australia after Tayebi’s earlier opener. And with Ahmad Esmailpour and Taheri extending Iran’s advantage in the second half, Iran added to their earlier wins over Indonesia and China to set-up a quarter-final meeting with the runners-up from Group A. Australia, meanwhile, will face the winners of Group A having seen their 100% recorded ended. “I think that the result came totally in the first half. In the second half I wanted to score more goals and play fast, but Australia were happy with the score,” said Iran coach Jesus Candelas. “We are going step-by-step and each game we are just trying to get a good result, but we have to win just to keep the mentality of the team positive. “Sometimes scoring too many goals can have a negative consequence so I have to make sure my players remain focused." Having earlier beaten Indonesia and China, it took just 60 seconds for Iran to open the scoring as Tayebi followed up after Adam Cooper had blocked Asghar Hassanzadeh’s shot. But Australia found themselves back on level terms as Fogarty fired into the roof of the net from Tobias Seeto’s corner. Iran, though, regained the lead in controversial circumstances in the 10th minute as Shafiei crossed for Taheri to score with Australia calling for play to be stopped after a second ball had entered the field of play. And Iran doubled their lead when Shafiei saw his shot from a tight angle parried by Australia goalkeeper Peter Spathis straight to the feet of Tayebi to tap in his second of the game. Tayebi completed his first half hat-trick in the 11th minute when a long ball forward found him with just the Spathis to beat, and he kept his composure to side-step the goalkeeper and roll the ball into an empty net. Iran’s fifth goal arrived in the 15th minute when a clearance from Cooper fell straight to the feet of Vafaei who shot low through the legs of Spathis. And Iran went into the break with a five goal advantage when a loose pass from Greg Giovenali was intercepted by Esmailpour and Shafiei fired past Spathis. Esmailpour further extended in the 28th minute as he stepped inside onto his right foot before placing his shot into the bottom corner. And a minute later Esmailpour was again involved in Iran’s eighth and final goal as he played a one-two with Taheri who scored his second of the match. “We have very rarely played at this level and before the game the players were excited to play against such a quality team,” said Australia coach Steve Knight. “The first 10 minutes we competed, but we have very different goals to Iran and we were able to achieve some of our goals.”

Queiroz seeks the assistance of Edu for the World Cup

Team Melli's coach Carlos Queiroz has requested the service of Edu Gaspar , currently the General Manager of the Brazilian club Corinthians, for the duration of FIFA World Cup 2014. According to Mehrnews , Team Melli coach who has a close relation with the club directors is seeking the expertise of the 35 years old ex Corinthians, Arsenal and Valencia player. Edu, as he was known to many football fans across the globe, played 15 times for Brazil between 2004-2005.

The nature of Edu's task with Team Melli remains unclear but most probably he will operating in an advisory capacity along with Queiroz. After his per-mature retirement from football, Edu did not seek a coaching job however , he was appointed as Director of football for his club.

There was no official word from FFIRI or Ali Kaffashian about this matter. It is quite possible that the Head of FFIRI is not even aware of this arrangement as he seems to be the last one to know of such matters and events of Team Melli..

Jahanbakhsh scores a brace against Champions Ajax

Ali Reza Jahanbakhsh came in from the bench on the 59th minute to score two goals against the Champions Ajax Amsterdam for his struggling team NEC Nijmegen in the  Eredivisie Dutch league.

NEC were trailing from minute 9 of the match in Amsterdam Arena from an own goal , before Jahanbaksh scored the equalizer on minute 74.

Ajax took the lead once again when ex-Barcelona winger Bojan Krkic scored with 7 minutes remaining. Jahanbaksh was the hero of the day when he equalized two minutes before the final whistle to make it 2-2. That vital goal by Jahanbakhsh ensured that NEC goes into the Relegation qualification rather than drop directly. In order top keep their place in the top league, NEC needs to beat RKC Waalwijk the team that is right above them in the table in a play off.

NEC Nijmegen finished ain the 17th place above Roda JC Kerkrade the team that was directly relegated.

The 20 years old Alireza Jahanbakhsh who joined the Dutch club at the beginning of the season has played 26 matches for NEC Nijmegen , mostly from the substitute bench, but scored 5 goals in the Eredivisie Dutch league. Jahanbakhsh will be certainly included by Queiroz in Team Melli squad for the upcoming Austrian camp starting next week. He is hopeful to make the final list of 23 players making Iran's squad for the FIFA World Cup 2014

Dejagah relegated with Fulham

Despite some powerful and splendid display by Ashakan Dejagah whenever he was given playing time and despite the brilliant goals he has scored for the West London Club , neither Dejagah nor the German coach Magath  who was seen as a savior, could prevent Fulham dropping to the Championship league from the Premiere league of the English Football. Until today Felix Magath who coached Dejagah at Wolfsburg as well , had never been relegated in his career and had a reputation for saving clubs in trouble. Yet Fulham under Magath managed 3 wins in his 11 games in charge collecting 11 points from 33, which eventually proved not good enough. It was a sad day for Ashakan Dejagah and his teammates after they lost their match against Stoke City 4-1 to officially relegate them to the lower league after a 10 year stint.

Player’s impression on South African camp.  

Tehran

Team Melli returned to Iran on Friday after a 3 weeks training camp is South Africa cut short by 5 days. ISNA sought the impression of several Team Melli players on the condition of the camp and whether some of the talks about the unsuitability of the site was justified.

Jalal Hosseini , Team Melli and Persepolis defender expressed his views by starting with the climate in South Africa “It was ideal weather and the camp condition was quite comfortable. There was no environmental pollution as claimed by some reports in Tehran.”

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“When all the players arrived, we had a good camp and friendly atmosphere prevailed. With the work we have done, I think we are physically ready. We will have 5 or 6 days rest in Tehran then fly to Vienna to start the Austrian camp. I guess we will continue working on the physical side there.”

“The kit situation was not so good. We used a single track suite which was provided for us for 15 days, we had to wash them and wear it for the next session.”

Hossein Mahini , the right back of Persepolis and one of the main contenders of the final 23 players list , expressed his dissatisfaction with the Training Kit supplied by UHLSport and claimed that the kit shrunk after one week of use in South Africa!

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As for the training itself, Mahini said that this was a very compressed physical training like of which he has never experienced in Iran. “The tough training was carried out in two periods. in the morning and evening sessions every day. I think we have achieved what Queiroz is looking for.”

Asked if he is confident of making the final list to Brazil, Mahini said “not only it is his place that has many candidates , but all the rest of the places in Team Melli. Queiroz has many options. I just have to work hard to make it. That is all I can hope for”

Karim Ansdarifard , hopes that the effect of this training camp will be evident in Brazil.

“We had a good camp, but most of the work was basically physical training and conditioning, I hope that the work we have carried out here in South Africa, bears result in the World Cup”

“The weather was ideal but the training kit was not comfortable as the rest of the players already said”

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Asked if he can make the final 23 players list, Tractorsazi’s forward said “ It is very difficult. Every player is trying to show his worth. At the end whatever God wants, will happen”

Mohammad Reza Khalatbari , Persepolis winger more or less repeated what Ansarifard and Mahini said about the camp and the kit. He hoped that the result of their training in South Africa reflects well in Brazil.

Khalatbari said that he is still a Persepolis player but he was quite concerned by the unresolved issue of  the transfer fee with Ajman club , threatening his career and  fears a suspension by FIFA. “Persepolis has not fully paid Ajman yet for my transfer, despite the promises. This is worrying me”

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Um Salal intends to keep Pezman Montazeri

The Qatar Stars League (QSL) club , Um Salal intends to re-sign their Iranian defender Pejman Montazeri while dispensing of the services of all their other foreigners.  sqd-montazeri2013 The Qatari TV channel Al Kas website , in an exclusive announced the intention of the club after the board reviewed the performance of the players and coach. The Turkish head coach Bulent will continue with the club and it is reported that he was instrumental in the decision of cancelling the contracts of the Brazilian forwards  Cabori and Victor Simoes and the Moroccan Othman Al Assas while keeping on the services of Montazeri. Ex- Esteghlal player Montazeri has joined Um Salal in the January transfer window when the team was lingering in the bottom of the league table struggling for survival. Um Salal , managed to stay up and keep its place in the league while the famous and Marquee club Al Rayyan , which was playing in the AFC Champions League , was relegated for the first time in its history. With Montazeri Joining Um Salal , it was a continuation of Iranian players' strange trend of joining struggling clubs outside Iran. Jahanbakhsh  with NEC , Dejagah with Fulham , Davari with Eintracht Braunschweig  and Ghoochannejad Charlton Athletic ! Although the news of Montazeri remaining with Um Salal is not officially confirmed, the Qatari League will be a buzzing with agents looking at Iranian players in the aftermath of the public outcry of their wages in Iran. Many Iranian would be looking elsewhere to make a living and Qatar seems the ideal league due to its riches of the country and proximity to Iran. There are already some strong rumors that several Qatari clubs are looking at Teymourian. Of the other Iranian players in the QSL , Mojtaba Jabbari is still contracted to Al Arabi with no news of his future at the middle of the table club, while Fereydoon Zandi, the player he replaced when Zandi suffered a horrific broken leg, is still recovering from his injury. zandi-ferry(1)

Iran routs China in Asian Futsal Championship.

Iran defeated China PR 12-0 on Friday

A splendid performance by Iran's futsal team ensured the Team Melli take a commanding position ahead of Australia in Group B  of the 2014 AFC Futsal championship in Vietnam. Iran had a whirlwind start stunning China with a goal in the first few seconds when Hassanzadeh hit a rebound into the net. In less than a minute Tayyebi scored from a powerful shot before Hassanzadeh scored his 2nd and Iran's 3rd from a neat one-two. after the quick 3 goals in 4 minutes, Andre Lima coach of China requested a time out in order to break Iran's rhythm and stop his team being humiliated in record time. But Team Melli was unstoppable as the young Shajari scored from a neat pass to make it 4 for Iran. Shafei scored the 5th with ease after rounding the keeper in the 10th minute Tayyebi scored the 6th with a long shot on a half turn on the 11th minute. The voice of the few Iranians fans in the crowd was heard chanting for Team Melli after the 6th goal. With 9 minutes to go , Iran eased back as the team focused on passing the ball around and playing out the rest of the half by giving reserve players playing time.

The first half ended 6-0 but it could have been easily in double figures, The second half started with Jesus Candelas fielding reserve players. The youngsters did not disappoint either playing some brilliant futsal and nice combinations of team work. Farhad Fakhim opened Iran's account in the 2nd half when he scored the 7th. Hassanzadeh  scores 8th with the match in the pocket Iran players used the time supremacy on displaying nice individual skills and moves to entertain the crowd.

Tayyebi scores no 9 again from a splendid half turn reminiscent of Vahid Shamsaei skills of the past. Shortly after that the 25 years old player suffers a minor injury.

Shafei scores no 10 from a smart pass by Ismaelpour.

Iran's 11th & 12th were classics , of scoring into the open net. First Tayyebi scored from onside the arc of Iran's goal into the empty net of China, then Ahmadi on the last second dis the same but in a more difficult position

This comprehensive win was a reminder for the defending champion Japan and others, that Iran is still one of the main powers of Asia.

Iran's last match will be on Sunday against the Group Strongest rival , Australia.