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AFC U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2023 draw

Tashkent: The continent's rising stars are set for exciting tussles following the completion of the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2023 draw on Wednesday.
The 16 teams were divided into four groups with the top two from each group to advance to the quarter-finals in the March 1 to 18, 2023 showpiece.
Hosts Uzbekistan were placed in Group A alongside Indonesia, Iraq and Syria.
Group B will see Qatar, Australia, Vietnam, and Iran vying for the quarter-final berths while Korean Republic, Tajikistan, Jordan, and Oman are the four teams in Group C.
Group D saw defending champions Saudi Arabia, Japan, China PR, and the Kyrgyz Republic being drawn together.

Youth Competitions Brand Reveal

Besides continental glory, there will be four tickets at stake for the FIFA U20 World Cup 2023, which will return to Asia in Indonesia from May 20 to June 11.
Draw Result
Group A: Uzbekistan, Indonesia, Iraq, Syria
Group B: Qatar, Australia, Vietnam, Iran
Group C: Korea Republic, Tajikistan, Jordan, Oman
Group D: Saudi Arabia, Japan, China PR, Kyrgyz Republic

Top Team Melli players who missed the World Cup.

Iranian stars who missed the World Cup

During the five times that Iran qualified for the World Cups, big names missed out on participating in the World Cup squads due to injuries.

Injuries are one of the biggest concerns of national coaches before the World Cup. As we get closer to these competitions, the fear of injury increases every time the stars fall. During the past few days, new players have been added to the list of those who missed the World Cup. For many players who have been injured for a long time and are undergoing treatment to be on time for this event, it is not clear what percentage of preparation they will need to be fit for the World Cup and whether they can help their team or not.

There is also this concern about Iran. Carlos Queiroz monitors the performance of the players who are likely to be on the final list every day. He has assigned his assistants inside and outside Iran to monitor the level of readiness of his players on daily basis, two of his assistants left Iran to continue the task of checking on the legionnaires a few days back. Many experts believe that along with the technical and tactical preparation of the teams, the luck of the teams in having their players in this World Cup and not getting injured before this important event is very important.

A look at the history of Iran’s Team Melli also confirms that sometimes injuries have plagued the teams and Iran has not been able to perform at its best.

ARGENTINA 1978

For the first time in history, Iran qualified for the FIFA World Cup when only 16 teams had such honor. Unfortunately, Iran left out three key players, while one star was half-fit.  A few days before departing for Argentina, Reza Adelkhani was injured in a freak domestic accident that left him with severe swelling and a broken knee, he was left out.

Gholamhossein Mazloomi, the prolific striker and arguably Iran’s best missed the World Cup due to a long-term injury, leaving Team Melli with young and little-known strikers such as Hossein Fekri and Behtash Fariba. However, Iran’s greatest and most celebrated player Parviz Ghleechkhani missed the world cup altogether not because of any injury but due to political decisions as a result of his anti-regime leanings.

Hassan Rowshan, one of the scoring hopes of Iran was listed in the squad carrying an injury.  and cannot accompany the national team as he should. 

GHOLAMHOSSEIN MAZLOOMI
Gholamhossein Mazloomi
Parviz Ghleechkhani
Mohammad Reza Adelkhani

France 1998

While there were no significant key players missing for this edition before departure to France, Reza Shahroudi, the left back, suffered an untimely injury while he was at his peak. He lost his seat and Team Melli was suddenly in a great panic to find a replacement in time.

Injuries occurred during the 1998 World Cup in France. Team Melli suffered from injuries at the wrong time. Ahmadreza Abedzadeh, the No 1 goalkeeper, was injured before the start of the first match against Yugoslavia to add to the worries at the defense in addition to Sharoudi’s absence. Iran lost 1-0. 

Germany 2006

Sattar Zare, the favorite left defender of Branko Ivankovic, was injured a few days before their departure to Germany for the World Cup, Branko Ivankovic had to look for an alternate. While at his peak, Mojtaba Jabbari did not make it to the World Cup due to a torn cruciate ligament. But a single player who was more prominent in the team and the one that worried the head coach was Alireza Vahedi-Nikbakht. The Esteghlal star enjoying his best playing days was the best-left winger in Iran in those days and he recently won the championship with Esteghlal, but a bad injury prevented him from making it to the World Cup and Mehrzad Madanchi was his replacement in Germany. 

Sattar Zare
Alireza Vahedi-Nikbakht
Mojtaba Jabbari

BRAZIL 2014

Hashem Beikzadeh suffered the strangest of injuries. He was a certainty as the left defender of Team Melli in the FIFA World Cup 2014, but the injury destroyed his dream and he went to the World Cup in Brazil only as a spectator. 

Hashim Beikzadeh

Russia 2018

The 2018 World Cup edition in Russia, had the most number of injuries. Ali Karimi, the central midfielder, missed the chance to play in the World Cup due to an injury. Dariush Shojaeian, who was becoming a regular in Team Melli’s squad, also was injured and missed the world cup due to a torn cruciate ligament.
 Mohammad Hossein Kananizadegan one of  Carlos Queiroz’s favorite players, could not make it due to injury. Ali Golizadeh was on the list of Queiroz before the 2018 World Cup, but the injury in the last game in the final training match led to his exclusion as the young midfielder and winger missed this tournament.

Ali Karimi
Ali Gholizadeh
Hossein Kanani-Zadegan
Dariush Shojaeian

Qatar 2022

* Qatar World Cup 2022 From now on, it can be said that Allahyar Sayyadmanesh, the Hull City striker, is the first absentee from the squad for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, but there are still doubts about the next players. So far, Sardar Azmoun‘s injury has caused the most concern for the coaching staff and fans, but the necessary care is being taken for this player in order to make the squad to Qatar. Azmoun is likely to make it to the tournament according to the latest medical diagnosis as he is recovering well from the injury while warming up for the UCL match against Porto. Other players such as Ali Reza Beiranvand and Sarlak continue their recovery work with minor injuries and it does not seem that two will be absent in the World Cup. Carlos Queiroz, his third time with Iran in the World Cup is beaming with hope. He definitely does not need more bad news on the fitness of his players with less than a month to the start of the competition.

Azmoun could be back in St, Petersburg in January.

The Russian "sports" website claimed in a news article today that Sardar Azmoun is on the verge of returning to Zenit St. Petersburg team.

This sport media announced that "Sergei Sumak", the head coach of Zenit, requested the club to recruit Sardar Azmoun in the winter transfer window in January 2023 and named the Team Melli striker team as one of the winter gifts for Sumak. A part of this site's report states: "Zenit will try to bring back Sardar Azmoun from Bayer Leverkusen, where he has struggled recently.

According to reports, the Russian club is planning to arrange a loan deal for Azoun. It is possible that the contract has a permanent purchase option. "The transfer market website has estimated the price of Sardar Azmoun at 18 million euros." Azmoun is highly valued by the Zenit, he was on this team roster for three seasons and holds the record for the most goals among Russian foreign players. He has scored 85 goals in Russia along with "Wagner Love", the former striker of CSKA Club.

Before this, news about the interest of Russian clubs Zenit and Dynamo in acquiring Azmoun was published and denied by some media outlets in Russia. Today's news on the sports site is the latest news related to the striker of the Iranian national team who is currently injured and out of action for Bayer Leverkusen.

Now Shakhtar sulking CEO is demanding!!

The Daily Mail has reported a Ukrainian team by the name of Shakhtar demanding FIFA to kick Iran out of the World Cup and replace it with Ukraine !!!! The audacity of some is beyond belief! The Daily Mail's report says: Shakhtar Donetsk's CEO Sergei Palkin wants Ukraine to replace Iran at the World Cup amid reports Tehran has supplied Russia with drones to aid their invasion. The Ukrainian capital city Kyiv was stuck by Iranian-made 'kamikaze' drones deployed by Russian forces last week. President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed seven such drones had been shot down, while the United States said Iran has deployed military experts in Russian-occupied Crimea. Footage emerged of police officers shooting down what local authorities described as an Iranian-made Shahed-136 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) over Kyiv. Iran has pleaded its 'neutrality' in the conflict but Ukraine has already downgraded diplomatic ties with Tehran and now the chief of one of its leading football teams has demanded further punishment. The Iranians open their World Cup campaign in Qatar against England on November 21 and also face the United States and Wales in Group B. In a statement released on Shakhtar's Twitter feed, Palkin wrote: 'While the Iranian leadership will have fun watching their national team play at the World Cup, Ukrainians will be killed by Iranian drones and Iranian missiles. The chief executive of Shakhtar Donetsk has called for Ukraine to replace Iran at the World Cup!! Our Take... So...it seems that the UIkranian's motive has very little to do with any drones as the motive is for their team, which has lost in the play-off in the qualifiers, to get a free out-of-jail card similar to the Italian claims. These people have no virtue or honor and have mistaken football for the mafia and the cartel by trying to swindle their way into the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. As for the Ukrainian club, with zero achievements in its international history, the devious CEO of that club, if he had an ounce of honor, should have advised the Ukrainian national team players to engage themselves in defending their country and supporting the needy in their homeland, rather than spending a couple of weeks enjoying a first-class treat and luxury life in Doha while their families and friends are suffering under deadly attacks. Of course, every team will get a minimum of two million dollars just being in Doha, perhaps that was not considered by the Ukrainian CEO as a motive for his cowardice demand, or has it?  
The reader's comments below that have not been moderated and are from the daily mail article.
WilliamsNike, Hub City, United States, 10 minutes ago

Lol oh go away Ukraine. Nobody cares

Why mix sport with politics? Football is one of the few pleasures left in Iran, that women can also enjoy. Punishing the footballers will not bother the Iranian Government in the slightest.

Jesus_Christ_is_Lord, Manchester, United Kingdom, 47 minutes ago

kick politics out of football...or does it only favor European football teams...remember the 2010 incident with the Togo team, when the government tried to step in and got banned for a few tournaments??

Two more friendly games for Team Melli.

According to the official website of Iran's football federation FFIRI, Mehdi Mohammad Nabi, the vice president of the federation, said: "Following the start of the preparation process of the national team for a powerful presence in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, a friendly international match has been finalized against Nicaragua was determined. "Team Melli and Nicaragua will face off on November 10th in Tehran at 19:30. Furthermore, Mohammad Nabi said: "The national team will face the Tunisian national football team in their last preparatory meeting before the start of the World Cup. This meeting will be held on November 16th in Doha, Qatar.

Team Melli has never played Nicaragua and this central American team will be the 124th country that Team Melli has faced in its illustrious history. On the other hand, Iran and Tunis met twice with Tunisia winning once and the other match ending in a draw.

FIFA ignores calls for exclusion Iran from the World Cup.

The campaign to kick Iran out of the World Cup is still active and being pursued by various factions each looking at their own interests, however, it is pretty clear that FIFA has no interest in heeding this subject.

The Italian media, unashamedly are the flag bearers of this campaign hoping that their pathetic national team that did not qualify for the World Cup gets in from the backdoor. Iranian activists abroad are also chasing after FIFA due to the recent and ongoing brutal treatment of women and protesters in the country, the British have joined the party also claiming Iran is assisting the Russians by providing them with attack drones for use in bombing Kyiv in Ukraine. So, according to British twisted logic, Iran has to be thrown out of the World Cup while bombing Baghdad and killing thousands of civilians in the process was for the benefit of the Iraqis!

It remains to be seen if any other country will file a case against Iran's participation in the FIFA World Cup perhaps due to the rising prices of pistachio, Oil, Gas, and Persian carpets!

The Iranian activist, who certainly have the right to campaign against the regime, are simply barking at the wrong tree. This  Team Melli is NOT a representative of the oppressive regime but a team that plays for the honor of the country regardless of who rules. The world is full of dictators and tyrants but you hardly hear that their national teams are banned or excluded from competitions except under exceptional conditions such as war and aggression against other countries. By sending letters to FIFA, the Iranian activist abroad would only make some noise nothing but.

While some Italian media had claimed that FIFA will decide on Iran's exclusion from the World Cup in its meeting this week in New Zealand, there was no discussion about Iran's football at Saturday's meeting of the international body. To counter the Fake news, Marca newspaper said: "This morning's meeting of the FIFA Supreme Council was held in Auckland, during which there was no discussion about the exclusion of the Iranian national football team from the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022."

Contrary to recent rumors and campaigns, the participation of Team Melli in the World Cup is a certainty. Iran is in Group B with England, Wales, and the USA with the first match scheduled for 21 November when Team Melli will open the campaign against England.

While Iran's exclusion from the World Cup in the FIFA Counsel meeting was not even on the agenda, the hottest news from the meeting in Aukland was FIFA's anger with broadcasters.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has criticized broadcasters for what he calls unacceptably low offers for rights to screen the Women’s World Cup next year

Iran ‘should be thrown out of World Cup’ over supply of Russian drones, claims English newspaper!

The English conservative right-wing "Daily Telegraph" has reported disturbing claims that Iran's Team Melli is risking elimination from the FIFA World Cup as a result of the Iranian government supplying attack drones to the Russian forces for use in Ukraine. The full article (read below) is yet another proof if needed indeed, that politics supersedes any sporting values and fair play especially when the event negatively affects the American and European interests or the interest of other protected groups or minorities that the colonialists support for political reasons.

While decades of sanctions by the west have failed to shake the ruling clan in Iran from their fundamental values, they very much affected normal Iranians, lowering their standards of living, reducing their life expectancy, and dragging millions of ordinary Iranian women and men into poverty. Sanctions have not managed to change the regime's policies however they managed to make them stronger. In desperation and an act of cowardice, the west is now using dirty tricks and politicizing football for its purpose. FIFA will be under severe pressure from the USA and the NATO countries to punish Iran football this time, after their military, banking & finance, Economical and political sanction have not worked for over 40 years.

The hypocrisy and double standards of the west are a true insult to the intelligence of any human being following world events. There never was a call to sanction the USA and UK for their role in invading and bond bombing countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria or their role in the genocide of the Yemeni people!

Who is the victim in this case? ....Team Melli fans all across the world and not just Iran itself. The ruling clan does not give a hoot if Team Melli travels to Doha or not. Their priority is somewhere else.

Fifa is facing calls to throw Iran out of the World Cup weeks before their opening match against England after “kamikaze” drones made by the country were used in the latest wave of attacks by Russia against Ukraine. Several people were killed, according to the Ukrainian government, during strikes that included the use of explosives-packed Shahed-136 drones which detonate upon impact with a target. The attacks took place barely a month before England – the Government of which has been supplying arms to Ukraine to repel Vladimir Putin’s invasion of the country – take on Iran at the World Cup. Chris Bryant MP, the chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Russia and former Foreign Office minister, told Telegraph Sport any nation founded to have “provided military support” for Putin’s invasion should be banished from world sport. He added: “Sporting authorities around the world and in every sport should be looking very carefully at Iran’s direct engagement and support for Putin in his illegal invasion of Ukraine. Dictatorial regimes relish sporting success. We should deny them that opportunity.” Belarus, whose government has been supporting the invasion, were also forced to play their home games behind closed doors in a neutral country until further notice. Uefa last week refused to rule out taking further action against the latter nation after it deployed soldiers on the Belarus-Ukraine border. Fifa has been approached for comment. Iran already faces European Union sanctions over this week’s drone attacks if Tehran’s involvement is proven. France and Germany, both parties to the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, have made it clear they believe fresh sanctions are necessary given such transfers of weaponry violate a resolution by the UN Security Council. Speaking ahead of an EU meeting in Luxembourg, Denmark’s foreign minister Jeppe Kofod said: “What we can see now: Iranian drones are used apparently to attack in the middle of Kyiv, this is an atrocity.” Iran foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani denied his country had provided Russia with drones. He said: “The published news about Iran providing Russia with drones has political ambitions and it’s circulated by western sources. We have not provided weaponry to any side of the countries at war.”

Iranian climber who competed without hijab goes missing

Meanwhile, a female Iranian athlete who flouted the Islamic Republic rules and competed in a climbing competition without wearing a hijab, has gone missing according to reports. Rekabi is reportedly only the second female athlete to shun the country's strict hijab rules as protests continue to grip the country after the death of Mahsa Amini.
The footage shows Rekabi, from Tehran, competing without a headscarf and with her hair tied in a ponytail at the International Federation of Sport Climbing Asian Championships final in Seoul, the capital of South Korea, on Sunday, October 16.

Iran quietly pulls out from hosting AFC Asian Cup 2027!

While there was no confirmation or news from FFIRI, the Asian Football Confederation has removed the name of Iran as a candidate for hosting AFC Asian Cup 2027. Iran, or specifically, FFIRI has sent the required documentation to the AFC and prepared an extensive file on the facilities, accommodations, and logistics in addition to culture and country attractions.  However, the withdrawal of Iran's name while Saudi Arabia and India are the front runners for hosting is a bit of a mystery. Iran last hosted the competition in 1976 after it was the host in 1968 for the first time. Meanwhile, Qatar will be hosting the championship for the third time in 2027. It hosted the Asian Cup in 1988 and 2011 too.
India and Saudi Arabia have emerged as the final two bidders to host the AFC Asian Cup 2027, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced on Tuesday. The development came to the fore after Qatar was chosen as the host country for the AFC Asian Cup 2023. The next year’s continental men’s football showpiece was earlier set to be held in China but they withdrew, prompting AFC to look for new hosts. Qatar, the reigning Asian champions, was earlier interested in hosting the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. But since the Qatar Football Association (QFA) is now hosting the 2023 edition, they dropped out of the 2027 race. Uzbekistan and Iran, the two other countries interested in hosting the AFC Asian Cup 2027, officially withdrew their bids on December 14, 2020, and October 13, 2022, respectively. The final decision about who will host the AFC Asian Cup 2027 will be taken by the AFC Congress at its next meeting scheduled in February 2023. “In the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, we have two exemplary bids,” AFC president Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said. If the AIFF wins the bid, it will be the first time that India will be hosting the marquee continental football tournament. Three-time champions Saudi Arabia are also bidding to host their maiden AFC Asian Cup. The last edition of the AFC Asian Cup was held in the UAE in 2019. India exited the tournament in the group stages.  
  • AFC U-20 Asian Cup 2023 qualifiers: India results, scores and points table

Qatar to host AFC Asian Cup 2023

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Executive Committee has today confirmed the Qatar Football Association (QFA) as the host association for the AFC Asian Cup 2023™.
Chairing the 11th AFC Executive Committee meeting, AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa congratulated the QFA on their successful bid and also conveyed the appreciation of the Asian football family to the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) and the Korea Football Association (KFA) for their commendable proposals.
He said: “On behalf of the AFC and the Asian football family, I want to congratulate the Qatar Football Association on being awarded the hosting rights of the upcoming edition of the AFC Asian Cup™.
“We must also thank the Football Association of Indonesia and the Korea Football Association for outlining their intentions to stage the tournament.
“Qatar’s capabilities and track record in hosting major international sporting events and their meticulous attention to detail are well admired throughout the globe.
“I must also commend the AFC for showcasing utmost professionalism in conducting a fair and transparent expedited bidding process and I thank all our commercial partners and sponsors for their patience during these unprecedented times.
“Given the short lead time in preparation, we know that the hard work begins immediately but with their existing world-class infrastructure and unrivaled hosting capabilities, we are confident that Qatar will stage a worthy spectacle befitting the prestige and stature of Asia’s crown jewel.”

Qatar are the reigning AFC Asian Cup™ champions and will be hosting the Continent’s most prestigious men’s tournament for the third time after staging the 1988 and 2011 editions.

The AFC Executive Committee also deliberated upon the bidding proposals for the AFC Asian Cup 2027™ and shortlisted the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) as the final two bidders with the hosting decision to be taken by the AFC Congress at its next meeting in February 2023.
The decision brings to a close the bid proposal of the QFA who were considered to have withdrawn from the 2027 race following their successful 2023 bid in accordance with the applicable bidding regulations.
Football Australia withdrew from the AFC Asian Cup 2023™ bidding process on September 1, 2022, while the Uzbekistan Football Association and the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran officially withdrew their bids to host the AFC Asian Cup 2027™ on December 14, 2020, and October 13, 2022, respectively.
The AFC President added: “Again, we thank our three Member Associations – the All India Football Federation, the Qatar Football Association, and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation - for submitting strong bids to host the AFC Asian Cup 2027™.
“We must also acknowledge the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran and the Uzbekistan Football Association for signaling their intent to host the 2027 edition and Football Australia for indicating their interest for the 2023 tournament.
“Across our competitions, we are seeing our digital engagement and TV viewership grow in record numbers and it is our responsibility to ensure that each tournament surpasses the achievements of the previous edition.
“In the All India Football Federation and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, we have two exemplary bids, and I am confident that the Qatar Football Association will strengthen the foundations for the eventual 2027 hosts to build upon.”
At the outset, heartfelt condolences were offered by the members to the PSSI as well as the families and loved ones of the precious lives lost at the Kanjuruhan Stadium in Malang city, Indonesia, earlier this month.
Rich tributes were also paid to the late Football Association of Singapore President, Mr. Lim Kia Tong, who was also the Chairperson of the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee.
Leading the eulogies, the AFC President said: “It was indeed a painful loss, and our hearts and support go to the families and friends of the victims and the Football Association of Indonesia.
“Last month, we also lost our dear brother and friend, Lim Kia Tong. We will miss him, and Lim will live on in our hearts and continue to inspire us with his legacy of integrity, professionalism, and love for the game.”
Further, Shaikh Salman expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming response received for his candidacy for re-election to the position of the AFC President.
“Let me thank all of you for your incredible support and convey my gratitude for all your contributions as we approach the final stages of this Executive Committee’s term (2019 to 2023),” said the AFC President.
“The rapid development of Asian football would not have been possible without your support and unity of purpose so clearly demonstrated time and again.”
The AFC President also used the occasion to thank FIFA President Gianni Infantino for the unstinted support received by the Asian football family and reiterated the AFC's support for President Infantino's re-election to the position of FIFA President.
The AFC Executive Committee also ratified the decisions of all the Standing Committees since its last meeting, most notably the AFC Competitions Committee’s recommendation to award the hosting rights of the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2024™ to the QFA.
Similarly, the AFC Development Committee’s recommendation to introduce the new consolidated AFC Enhance Programme Regulations was also ratified.
The AFC Social Responsibility Committee Chairperson Zaw Zaw was appointed as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Dream Asia Foundation by the Executive Committee who were also apprised of the finalization of the AFC Social Responsibility Strategy.
Continuing in the social responsibility sphere, the AFC’s recently approved membership of the United Nations Football for the Goals initiative was also highlighted and welcomed by the Executive Committee.

Footballers and Athletes increasingly join the mass protests in Iran.

Five weeks after the start of the street protest following the death of Mahsa Amini while she was in the custody of the ill-reputed Morality Police, more and more people are joining the mass protests against the regime in the streets and significantly on social media. Some active footballers have joined ex-players such as Ali Karimi and Ali Daei in voicing their disdain at the regimen and the brutal force it is using against the unarmed protesters, the majority of whom are women. This is a tribute to those players and celebrities who have added their voices to the people who are demanding the minimum of human rights and freedom from religious zealots ruling the country. Ali Karimi Pashaki          
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