Author: Editor

AFC Futsal Championship 2018 draw

11-time champions Iran will return to defend their title after remaining unbeaten in Group B of qualifying for the South and Central Zones. They booked their berth alongside Tajikistan who held their nerve to confirm a ninth appearance as group runners-up.

Like Iran, Uzbekistan went unbeaten throughout the qualifiers, scoring 22 goals and conceding only six to win Group A. Kyrgyz Republic sealed second place.

In the ASEAN Zone, Vietnam and Thailand topped their groups, while Malaysia and Myanmar finished second to progress to the regional semi-finals and, as a result, the 2018 AFC Futsal Championship.

As three-time AFC Futsal Championship winners, Japan are also one of the competition’s heavyweights. They qualified with ease from the East Zone, scoring 24 goals and conceding only two to finish top of Group A.

After failing to qualify in 2016, Korea Republic will return to the tournament after pipping China PR to top spot in Group B.

China, however, duly beat Chinese Taipei on penalties in the East Zone’s Play-off to secure their ticket to the AFC Futsal Championship.

Chinese Taipei qualified automatically as hosts.

The West Zone teams were forced to endure a tense qualifying campaign, with the successful quartet – Bahrain, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan – only making the cut on the final day.

 

Draw

16 teams will be drawn into four groups of four teams, with the top two teams in each group advancing to the quarter-finals. The first matches are set be played on February 1, 2018, with the final set for February 11.

Pot 1 Pot 2 Pot 3 Pot 4
Chinese Taipei (hosts) Vietnam China Malaysia
Islamic Republic of Iran Kyrgyz Republic Lebanon Bahrain
Uzbekistan Japan Tajikistan Korea Republic
Thailand Iraq Jordan Myanmar

 

Photos: AFC, Football Association of Thailand, Vietnam Football Federation & ASEAN Football Federation

FIFA World Cup 2018: Group B review

Group B

Portugal (pot 1)

Pedigree: Portugal are the reigning European champions, having beaten hosts France 1-0 in the final of Euro 2016. Their best performance at a World Cup came when they finished third in 1966 and they also reached the semi-finals in 2006 yet failed to make it out of the group phase in Brazil in 2014.

Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 79 international goals for Portugal

Key player: Who else? Cristiano Ronaldo. He has been voted the best player in the world four times, he is the country’s most capped player and also their record goalscorer. The Real Madrid forward, a four-time Champions League winner, scored 15 goals for Portugal during their World Cup qualification campaign.

Premier League players: Adrien Silva (Leicester), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Cedric Soares (Southampton), Renato Sanches (Swansea, on loan from Bayern Munich), Jose Fonte (West Ham).

Championship player: Nelson Oliveira (Norwich)

Scottish Premiership player: Bruno Alves (Rangers)

Who’s the boss? Fernando Santos took charge in September 2014 and guided Portugal to their first international success with victory in Euro 2016. He was manager of Greece during the 2014 World Cup, taking the team into the last 16, where they lost to Costa Rica on penalties.

Spain (pot 2)

Pedigree: Currently ranked 11th in the world. They held the number one spot from 2008 until 2013. Spain were world champions in 2010, as well as European champions in 2008 and 2012.

Isco scored two goals in Spain's 3-0 win over Italy in February
Isco scored two goals in Spain’s 3-0 win over Italy in February

Key player: Real Madrid attacking midfielder Isco has been in fine form during qualifying, with six goals and an assist in Spain’s past seven matches. He has seven goals in 23 appearances in his international career.

Premier League players: Juan Mata (Manchester United), Nacho Monreal (Arsenal), Alvaro Morata (Chelsea), David de Gea (Manchester United), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Ander Herrera (Manchester United), Pedro (Chelsea), David Silva (Manchester City).

Who’s the boss? Julen Lopetegui was appointed in July 2016 and remains unbeaten in 13 matches in charge. He has won the European Championships with Spain’s U21s and U19s, although he has never coached a side at a senior major tournament.

Morocco (pot 4)

Pedigree: Morocco will be making their first appearance at a World Cup finals in 20 years next summer. In 1998 in France, a win, a draw and a defeat was not enough for them to qualify from the group stage. They have managed this feat just once in four attempts at finals, in Mexico in 1986 when they reached the last 16, where they were beaten 1-0 by eventual runners-up West Germany.

Key player: He has not been a regular with club side Juventus this season (there is some stiff competition there at the back) but defender Medhi Benatia is extremely highly rated at the Italian champions, who signed him on a permanent deal from Bayern Munich this year following a successful loan spell. The 30-year-old is Morocco’s captain and has 52 caps to his name, five of which came during a 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign in which they did not concede a goal. He also scored one of the goals in the 2-0 win over Ivory Coast that sealed their place in Russia.

Medhi Benatia
Medhi Benatia joined Juventus from Bayern Munich on a permanent deal in May

Premier League players: Sofiane Boufal (Southampton)

Championship players: Romain Saiss (Wolves)

Who is the boss? Frenchman Herve Renard has had something of a nomadic coaching career since retiring from playing in 1998. One of his early roles was as boss of Cambridge United, who he joined in the summer of 2004 and left 25 games later with the club second bottom of League Two. Since then he has won the Africa Cup of Nations twice, with Zambia in 2012 and Ivory Coast in 2015. After an unsuccessful stint as Lille boss, he took over as Morocco head coach in 2016.

Iran (pot 3)

Pedigree: This is the fifth time Iran have qualified for a World Cup, but their only victory in the tournament remains a 2-1 win over the United States at France 98.

Carlos Queiroz
Carlos Queiroz has led Iran to back-to-back World Cups

Key player: Striker Sardar Azmoun is arguably Asia’s best striker since his compatriot Ali Daei, who scored more international goals than any other male player. The 22-year-old Azmoun is strong with both feet, and in the air, and plays his club football for Russian side Rubin Kazan.

Premier League players: None

Who’s the boss? Carlos Queiroz has a CV to rival any manager in international football. Via Sporting Lisbon, South Africa, Real Madrid, Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant at Manchester United and two stints in charge of Portugal, it is with Iran that Queiroz has spent the past six years.

“They fight for their lives, they fight for history, they fight for their reputations,” said the Portuguese, having seen Iran become the highest-placed Asian side in Fifa’s rankings at 24th.

World Cup 2018 draw: What did the coaches say!?

FERNANDO SANTOS ON WORLD CUP DRAW: «VERY DECEPTIVE GROUP»

The coach of the Portuguese National Team commented on the draw for the 2018 World Cup, which put Spain, Iran and Morocco in group B with Portugal. “Portugal has to take its share of responsibility when looking at a group of these teams, but when we notice the interest and  the attention, we realize that it will be a very difficult group. Right from the start in the first game, Portugal-Spain. It is important that we win this. Then for the two other teams that we are going to play, Iran finished their qualifying groups matches unbeaten.”vhe said after the draw, stressing why this is a” tricky group.”

“Spain is naturally the favorite team, as I have always said. “This is not the first time I say it or because I am going to face Spain. I have always said that it is one of the favorite teams to win this World Cup and Portugal is in charge of doing what it has done, which is to look for every game to win, “he said

MOROCCO coach : “NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE”

Hervé Renard, Morocco coach was pleased with the draw for the 2018 World Cup, which put Portugal, Spain and Iran in the same group as Morocco team. “We are so happy to be in the World Cup we have to face this group with great motivation. The worst we could do was that we were just satisfied with the qualifiers,” the Frenchman told TMC . “The first game with Iran will be decisive for the rest of the group, then we play against Portugal, and then with Spain, which everyone wants to avoid. We will do everything to qualify to the next round. Even if it seems difficult, in football nothing is impossible. You have to believe it, “he concluded.

“Yes,  I said to him to be calm, and take it easy …” Queiroz jokes

Carlos Queiroz, Iran coach, commented on the draw for the 2018 World Cup, which saw duels with Portugal, Spain and Morocco in Group B. “Personally I’m very happy because it’s a group with two very special country teams for me. For Iran, it’s going to be a very tough competition. It would always be so, regardless of the group. But when you have Spain, World Champion and Portugal, champion of Europe … for me, I could not have done better, ” he began by saying at the end of the draw that took place in Moscow on Friday.

Asked who is stronger, whether Portugal or Spain: «Well … first we will play with Morocco and then we start to prepare very well for the following games. What matters most is playing with ambition and leaving the World Cup with honor. No doubt Spain and Portugal are favorites, unless they make mistakes. It is unlikely. ” 

Queiroz confessed that he had already discussed the draw with his Spanish counterpart:” Yes, we have. I said to him to be calm, and take it easy …” (laughs). “

 

“PORTUGAL HAS A LOT OF FANTASTIC PLAYERS” LOPETEGUI

The Spanish national team has launched a first approach to the 2018 World Cup draw, which saw them drawn with Portugal, Iran and Morocco. “It’s a difficult group, complicated and it’s going to be tough. It is a World Cup and no team is easy, ” Julen Lopetegui quoted, When asked about facing Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo in particular, he said. “It’s not the time to talk about names. Portugal is the European champion, have a group of fantastic players, driven in a fantastic way. We are talking about the highest level of football. ” said the former FC Porto coach.

Queiroz: “Spain and Portugal are favorites unless there is an error”

EUROPE PRESS

12/01/201717: 45
Iran coach Carlos Queiroz has confirmed that both Spain and Portugal, “special” rivals in Group B at the 2018 World Cup, are clear “favorites” to advance to the round of 16, and praised the “quality” and the “intensity” of the players directed by Julen Lopetegui.

“They are favorites, unless there is an error,” he said in a statement to Cuatro after the FIFA World Cup 2018 drawing ceremonies  of the group stage, which took place this Friday in Moscow, before joking with his conversation with the Spanish coach. “I told him to be quiet,” he said with a laugh.

Thus, the Portuguese, ex-coach of Real Madrid, acknowledged that the draw has brought him two “special” rivals for him. “I am very happy, we have had two special places for me, first Portugal and then Spain, it is going to be a very tough competition, when you are with Spain, world champion, and Portugal, European champion, it can not be better for me, “he stressed.

On ‘the Red’, the Portuguese confessed that he worries “everything”, including “the quality of the players, the intensity and rhythm.” “We have to play with Morocco and prepare very well, we are facing the World Cup with great enthusiasm, with a lot of respect, and we want to go out to our World Cup matches with great dignity,” he concluded.

Iran in the toughest draw of them all

Team Melli will face the World Cup 2010 winners Spain, European Cup winners Portugal and the African Team Morocco in Group B of FIFA World Cup 2018.

Carlos Queiroz will have a tough time against his country team and World Champions Spain while the Africans are also a quality team that cannot be taken lightly.

Full program for Team Melli

15th-June-2018

18:00

St. Petersburg Stadium, St. Petersburg 

Iran vs. Morocco

 

 

20th-June-2018

21:00

Kazan Arena , Kazan

Spain vs Iran

 

 

25th-June-2018

21:00

Mordovia Arena , Saransk 

Iran vs. Portugal

 

 

Carlos Queiroz seeks longer World Cup run from improving Iran

Iran secured back-to-back World Cup qualification for the first time in the country’s history as Carlos Queiroz and his team sealed the nation’s fifth appearance.

Iran secured back-to-back World Cup qualification for the first time in the country’s history as Carlos Queiroz and his team sealed the nation’s fifth appearance at the finals with relative comfort. Iran were the first Asian nation to qualify for Russia 2018 as a miserly defence allied with the striking prowess of Sardar Azmoun saw Team Melli top their group ahead of South Korea to take one of the continent’s four automatic berths.

Queiroz has built on the country’s performance in Brazil 2014, when they exited in the group phase after encouraging showings against Nigeria, securing a 0-0 draw, and Argentina, with Lionel Messi’s injury-time winner denying Iran a point.

The former Real Madrid and Portugal coach, who took over in April 2011, has freshened up his squad over the last four years, with Rubin Kazan’s Azmoun the star attraction in a team boasting more Europe-based players than any previous Iran side.

Azmoun is one of three players who play their club football in Russia, along with central midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi and full back Milad Mohammdi, while Alireza Jahanbaksh and Reza Ghoochannejhad are well established in the Dutch Eredivisie.

 
 Queiroz has sought to strike a balance between youth and experience, keeping World Cup veterans Ashkan Dejagah and Jalal Hosseini involved as he sets his sights on taking the country into the second round for the first time.

The Portuguese coach has voiced concerns over the impact a lack of high quality opposition in the lead-up to the finals could have on his team.

But, with the Iran boasting the defensive attributes typically associated with a Queiroz-coached side, the three-time Asian Cup winners are hopeful of a longer stay in Russia for their fanatical support than at any previous World Cup.

AFC futsal player of the year 2017 :Aliasghar Hasanzadeh

Bangkok: Islamic Republic of Iran’s Aliasghar Hasanzadeh has been named the AFC Futsal Player of the Year for the third time, ahead of compatriot Touhid Lotfi and Thailand’s forward Jirawat Sornwichian.

After receiving the award in 2014 and 2016, the 30-year-old from Qom joins the ranks of compatriot Vahid Shamsaei, who also won the accolade thrice in 2007, 2008 and 2015.

“I am glad to get this award three consecutive times and of course, I got this award on behalf of all Iranian futsal players and I’m happy to be here. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all managers, coaches and teammates in the club and national team and special thanks to my parents and family for supporting me all the time.

“I appreciate the support from my fans as I get energy from their support all the time.

“Last but not least, I would like to present my award to my countrymen who lost their friends, families and bloved ones in the recent tragic earthquake in Kermanshah and western parts of Iran,” said Hasanzadeh.

Hasanzadeh has had a string of successes for club and country, from as far back as the 2007 AFC Futsal Championship to the most recent 2018 AFC Futsal Championship South and Central Zones Qualifiers.

In 2017, the Iranian playmaker scored two goals in the AFC Futsal Club Championship Group Stages, before scoring a crucial goal in the final against Thailand’s Bluewave Chonburi. Despite falling short at the final hurdle against the Thais, there was cheer for Hasanzadeh after he was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

Topscorer in the 2013 and 2016 Iranian Futsal Super League with 29 and 26 goals respectively, the influence Hasanzadeh brings into the team isn’t just the number of goals scored but his awareness on court and incredible footwork.

That performance was showcased once again at the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Ashgabat two months later, where he would claim his fourth title with Team Melli Futsal by scoring four goals as Iran emerged champions. His impact came in the form of creating picture perfect opportunities for his teammates in the final third.

His formidable experience is reflected on his synergy with the team, and in his most recent performance in the South and Central Zones Qualifiers, his strong form continued as he carried the team to a 15th AFC Futsal Championship appearance, aiming to defend and claim a 12th title for Iran.

Iran chances at FIFA world Cup 2018 draw

On 1 December, the Final Draw for the 2018 FIFA World Cup will take place at the State Kremlin Palace in the heart of the country’s capital. The tagline of the event is “Where the stars align”, which refers not only to the glow of the best footballing nations in the world but also perfectly alludes to the idea of destiny as the road to the coveted FIFA World Cup Trophy is unveiled.

Iran will be represented in the ceremony by Mohammad Reza Saket and the head coach Carlos Queiroz.

 

By tomorrow, all of the 32 teams would have been identified and the pots will be filled as seen in the table below.

Team Melli will be in POT 3 and as customary , the draw attracts wide attention across the globe. Looking at the possibilities  for Team Melli, the best draw would be a group formed as follows. Most probably it will be Group A

 

   Russia  Croatia    Iran    Panama

The worst possible draw for team Melli will be :

   Germany    Spain    Iran    Serbia

 

The List of Qualified Teams

Ranks Pot 1 Pot 2 Pot 3 Pot 4
1 Russia (Hosts) Spain (8) Denmark (19) Serbia (38)
2 Germany (1) Peru (10) Iceland (21)* Nigeria (41)
3 Brazil (2) Switzerland (11) Costa Rica (22) Australia (43)
4 Portugal (3) England (12) Sweden (25) Japan (44)
5 Argentina (4) Colombia (13) Tunisia (28) Morocco (48)
6 Belgium (5) Mexico (16) Egypt (30) Panama (49)
7 Poland (6) Uruguay (17) Senegal (32) South Korea (62)
8 France (7) Croatia (18)* Iran (34) Saudi Arabia (63)

 

 

 

Narrow win for Team Melli against Venezuela

Alireza Jahanbakhsh’s 57th minute strike gave  Iran a 1-0 win over Venezuela in an international friendly at the Goffertstadion in Nijmegen, Netherlands on Monday.

 The win stretched Iran’s unbeaten run to 10 matches as Team Melli continue their Road to Russia preparations.

Iran, the first Asian team to confirm their berth for the FIFA World Cup 2018 Russia, beat Panama 2-1 in a friendly on Thursday and are enjoying a rich vein of form.

The win is a boost for Carlos Queiroz’s team as they prepare for next summer’s FIFA World Cup. 

In action later on Monday will be Saudi Arabia, whose latest Road to Russia friendly will be against Bulgaria.

Team Melli Line up: Alireza Biranvand (Mohammadshshid Mazaheri 46), Ramin Rezaiyan, Seyyed Jalal Hosseini (Omid Ebrahimi 61), Morteza Pourali Ganji, Saeed Ezzatollahi (Akbar Imani 46), Ali Karimi, Ashkan Dejagah (Saman Ghodous 46), Vahid Amiri, Ehsan Haj Safi, Alireza Jahanbakhsh (Kaveh Rezaei 61), Reza Ghokhannejad (Commander 61).

Venezuela team : Fariniz (Contreras 46), Hernandez, Avicadas, Chanslor, Annel, Figueira, Aranda, Aniur, Murillo, Rondon, Machies (Lucena 75).

First half report

Minute 2: Alireza Jahanbakhsh kicked off the right-wing at the very first minute, and with a good shot, Reza GhoochanNejad set a good goal, but Gucci kicked the ball high with a fierce shot.

In the 7th minute, Sa’id Ezatollahi’s shot from behind the penalty area was easily caught byFariniz.

In the 14th minute, the tactical work of Iran’s players on the right hand side of Venezuela took a great shape to reach HajSafi in front of the penalty area. HajSafi strong shot midway through the Venezuelan player’s way and did not reach the gate.

In the 18th minute, once again the tactical work of the Iranian players was answered, but again, Iran’s players were not very accurate in the final touch and the Venezuelan goal remained clean.

In the 25th minute, Ehsan Haj Safi’s well-rounded pass to Vahid Amiri resulted in the player taking the shot and the player snapped out a little away from the Venezuelan goal.

 31st minute, WBA player Rhondon Shoot traversed a distance of about 30 meters from the Iranian goal

In the 36th minute, a free kick to Venezuela and a cross from , saw Biranvand come out erroneously in no-man zone. The Venezuela player shot at the empty net ,  Seyyed Jalal Hosseini cleared the ball from the line

Second half report

In the 50th minute, on a team-run Venezuelan team, the team got a shotgun that embraced the striker Muhammad Mazhahi Mazaheri.

In the 55th minute, Saman Chandos’s center met by Pouraliganji who headed powerfully towards the goal, but the new goalkeeper sent the ball to the corner.

Goal: In the 57th minute, a sharp counter-attack of Iran’s players resulted in a Venezuela goalkeeper coming out of his box, and Amiri sent a deep pass through to Jahanbakhsh who was facing an empty goal and scored the first goal for Iran. Jahanbakhsh scored in a city whose first club in the Netherlands belongs to this city (Nijmegen).

In the 60th minute, the Venezuelan player’s cross and the acrobatic blow of the player crossed wide off target .

In the 63rd minute, Hajj Safi’s pass into the penalty area of Venezuela, where a rogue shot and one shot hit him on the net.

In the 66th minute, Wahid Amiri initially scored the test inside Venezuela’s penalty area, and after passing few players, he transferred the ball to Kaveh Reza’i who did not hit the goal with a deflected attack on the team.

In the 70th minute, after a dribbling PouraliGanji, Sotluled sent his own line to the Iranian goal where Rondon was unlucky to miss the target.

In the 72nd minute, the Venezuelan midfielder Rondon struck against Iran’s goalkeeper but struck him off Hajj Safi. The attack continued and Iran’s players made several mistakes at Rashid Mazaheri’s goal.

In the 76th minute, with the Venezuelan goalkeeper mistake, the ball reached Rezaei, when his center landed on PouraliGanji, but the opponent’s timely tackle prevented him from scoring the second goal for Iran.

At precisely the 77th, Venezuelan players lost ground on a quick counter-attack near the boxy, who lost their position on the carelessness of the players.

In the 88th minute, Sotoledo Shot with a very good reaction from Rashid Mazaheri who kept the Iranian goal clean.

The game ended with a one-nil  lead away for the Iranian national team. This was the second narrow win for Team Melli after the 2-1 win against Panama.

 

Werder Bremen monitoring Saman Goddos

Werder Bremen is said to be eyeing Team Melli’s midfielder  Saman Ghoddos, writes the German newspaper Bild.

And Östersund does not seem to go unscathed if a deal is to die. The Germans are prepared to pay for Östersund’s gold climber.

Östersund finished fifth place in allsvenskan, the Swedish League. But the team’s season is not over yet. Right now, the riders are preparing for the next match in the Europa League which at home against Zorya on November 23rd. Östersund tops the UEFA second tier computation in Group J ahead of famous clubs like Spanish Athletic Bilbao and German Hertha Berlin. The successes of the Swedish have raised interest amongst many Europe clubs and other teams have begun snapping Östersund players.

Saman Ghoddos, just opened his scoring account at international level, when he scored Iran;s 2nd goal against Panama in a friendly international in Graz, Austria.

According to German Bild, Hertha Berlin league competitor Werder Bremen has sought to recruit Saman Ghoddos. Unlike Östersund, Werder Bremen has not stood for any success season so far. The team is currently second in the Bundesliga and is looking for reinforcements in the January transfer window. But if the Germans would like to beat Östersund’s gold cliff, they also have to pay for it. Bild writes that Saman Ghoddos is expected to cost fifty million kronor  (Approx. US$ 6 million) for Werder Bremen. Ghoddos has a contract with Östersund until 2019.

The Swedish national team back Ludwig Augustinsson already plays for Werder Bremen,