Author: Editor

11/01/2018

Qatar teaches Iran a lesson in football.

They might have failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2018 but off the field, Qatar is showing Iran how to manage their football affairs in a professional, honorable and shrewd manner.

Winning the hosting of the next FIFA World cup in 2022 speaks volumes about the abilities and management talent of the Qataris. Creating a highly successful Professional League, not just by name, is another milestone that is exemplary for a tiny nation with barely 2 million in population.

The facilities, stadia and the resources are another source for pride for nation that had no real organized football before 1969.

And now, Qatar is showing Iran how to deal with foes (Saudi Arabia and UAE) the two neighbors who have tried everything conceivable including deception, fabrication of facts, and cheating to isolate Qatar and label it as unsafe country harboring terrorist , subsequently by refusing to play in Qatar.

Today, as reported by Al Kass TV channel, Mohammed Al Alnsari , the secretary general of the Qatar Football Association QFA , reiterated his federations stand and insisted that his country will never accept political interference in football. He dismissed the false claims and the threats by Saudi Arabia and UAE to boycott Qatar by refusing to play in Doha.” We refuse to go to any third country to play our football. It is our legitimate right to play at home. Qatar is a very safe and peaceful place and we will not succumb to threats nor intimidation.”

Indeed strong words and a lesson for the Iranian football federation leaders , the likes of Mehdi Taj and Ali Kaffashian the two collaborators who have consistently failed to protect Iranian clubs interests. It was only a few weeks ago when Taj claimed that the AFC has agreed to Iran’s demands for Saudi teams to play in Iran. It turned out to be all a false claim. Taj’s lack of allies, poor representation and crude public relation in the AFC corridor of power has let down the country. He has been weak and incapable, like his predecessor Kaffashian, to defend the honor of the country and its football against the Saudis, while a country a fraction the size of Iran such as Qatar, steadfastly stands firm and protects its rights against threat and bullying.

IRIFF and Taj, would do well getting private tuition in the QFA headquarters in Doha

08/01/2018

Mehdi Taremi on his way to Al Gharafa

Persepolis & Team Melli Central Forward is on his way to joining Al Ghrafa Club in Qatar Star League QSL.

Mehdi Taremi who is currently suspended by FIFA for breaking his contract with a Turkish club, is currently in Doha, Qatar going through his medicals. Upon successful completion of the medical tests, Al Gharafa will sign a two year contract with the forward who has been in Top form last season for club and country.

Taremi had been locked in a contract dispute with Turkish club Caykur Rizespor dating back to June 2016, when the player reached an agreement to join the club and later returned to Persepolis.

Persepolis have also been banned from signing players for the next two transfer windows.

Moreover, Caykur Rizespor are seeking 789,500 euros (944,300 U.S. dollars) in compensation from Persepolis for breach of transfer rules.

05/01/2018

Will Peru play FIFA friendly with Iran or is it an error?

Source: peru.com

The Peruvian National Football team has, so far, two FIFA friendly matches officially agreed upon against Croatia and Iceland, both to be played in the United States, in preparation for the 2018 World Cup Russia, but nothing was mentioned about Iran .

Is it an error? The always reliable football world results page, www.Soccerway.com, scheduled an international friendly match between the Peru vs Iran’s teammelli for next March 17, 2018, even signaling the venue of the match: the Iranian capital, Tehran.

The Peruvian Football Federation ( FPF ) tries to schedule preparation matches of the ‘Blanquirroja’ in advance , but nothing was known about Iran . Therefore, we believe that it is a Soccerway.com error.

Ricardo Gareca asked to play in the United States or in Europe and the farewell before FIF World Cup Russia 2018 , in Lima. Therefore, playing in Tehran, in distant Asia, sounds unlikely. We will see.

05/01/2018

Spain prepare for Team Melli by playing Egypt!!

The Spanish has said that Spain has finalized 3 games as part of its preparation for the FIFA World Cup according to the Spanish newspaper AS

The World Cup plan The Federation has practically closed the preparation plan for Spain for the FIFA World Cup in Russia. The first friendly match will be on Friday, March 23, against the current world champion, Germany, in Düsseldorf. Four days later, on the 27th, Spain will play another game of throne. The agreement is very close to play with Argentina, although the albiceleste is asking for a million and a half dollars for the match and that can be a stumbling block. The match would be played in the Metropolitan Wanda or the Villamarín.

In Las Rozas. Against what has been done in the last decade, Julen Lopetegui has decided not to prepare the World Cup outside of Spain and the preparation camp will be concentrated in Las Rozas until the team arrival in Krasnodar, base camp in Russia, on June 8, a week before playing the first game of the group stage of the World Cup, against Portugal in the city of Sochi.

Against Egypt. Spain will play two friendlies in Spanish territory, on May 29 and June 5, and another on the 9th of the same month, in Krasnodar. It negotiates with countries that can serve as sparring for the World Cup rivals. The favorites are Italy (to prepare the game against Portugal), Ivory Coast (Morocco) and Egypt (Iran)!.

It seems someone has got his compass totally wrong in the Spanish FA. They could do with the Google Map to show them the distance between Iran and Egypt who have very little commonality in footballing term and game plan.

16/12/2017

Statistical Analysis of Team Melli 2017

Team Melli had experienced one of its most successful years in recent history.

Under the guidance of the Portuguese Head Coach Carlos Manuel Brito Leal Queiroz, Team Melli played a total of 10 matches in 2017 of which, half was as part of FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 Qualification rounds in the Asian Zone.

in 2017 Team Melli continued its strong showing in the World Cup qualifiers and ended up qualifying for the finals with two rounds still to play.

There were more achievements to be proud of on field performance and results by Team Melli. The first was the completion of all the matches in both rounds of qualifications undefeated.

5 matches in the World Cup qualifiers were played in 2017 on the top of 13 played since 2015 without a single defeat.

The defensive record was second to none as Team Melli conceded only 5 goals in its 18 matches . Only 3 teams managed to score against Iran throughout the qualifiers, Turkmenistan, Oman and Syria.

On the same token, the mighty Koreans with their European based players and Uzbekistan ,one of the tough opponents, China and Qatar failed to score home or away against Team Melli

The fans enjoyed Team Melli scoring 36 goals in the qualifiers too,with Sardar Azmoun being the star scoring 11 goals. Mehdi Taremi was second highest with 8 goals in the qualifiers.

Team Melli also enjoyed the highest ranking in FIFA’s system on July 2017 reaching 23rd place in the world. In AFC ranking ,Iran continued at the top of Asian table for the 4th year running.

Qualification to the World Cup was achieved with a remarkable 7 points lead over second place nemesis South Korea.

The FIFA WC Qualifier 2018 Table

Asian Zone – Round 3 group A

Team

-1

-2

-7

Matches

OVERALL TABLE

	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	%
Official	5	3	2	0	6	2	4	60%
Non-Official	5	4	1	0	8	3	5	80%
Total	10	7	3	0	14	5	9	70%

FIFA RANKING 2017

World	Asia	Date	Month	MP	W	L	D
32	1	2017	November	2	2	0	0
34	1	2017	October	2	1	0	1
25	1	2017	September	2	0	0	2
24	1	2017	August	0	0	0	0
23	1	2017	July	2	2	0	0
30	1	2017	June	0	0	0	0
28	1	2017	May	0	0	0	0
28	1	2017	April	2	2	0	0
33	1	2017	March	0	0	0	0
32	1	2017	February	0	0	0	0
29	1	2017	January	0	0	0	0
				10	7	0	3

[box title=”

Ranking Data

” style=”bubbles” box_color=”#c8c8ba” title_color=”#0d0c0c” radius=”6″]Team Melli highest FIFA world ranking was on July 2017 where it reached 23.

The lowest year ranking was registered on October 2017 where it reached 34

Average ranking of 2017 is : 29 [/box]

PLAYERS records 2017

The highest goal scorer:

Sardar AZMOUN

6 Goals (8 matches)

1 goal scored for every 60 minutes played

Goal rate = 75%

The most minutes played:

Morteza POURALIGANJI

776 minutes

The most matches played:

Saeid EZZATOLLAHI

10 matches

Full stats of players 2017

Name	Start	Subst.	total	Goals	Yellows	Reds	Miutes
ABDOLLAHZADEH, Ahmad	2	1	3				169
AGHAEI, Saeed	2	1	3				228
AMIRI, Vahid	3	6	9				373
ANSARI, Mohammad	2		2				149
ANSARIFARD, Karim	4		4	2			300
AZMOUN, Sardar	5	3	8	6	1		479
BIRANVAND, Alireza	9		9		1		774
CHESHMI, Rouzbeh	2	3	5				254
DEJAGAH, Ashkan	5	1	6	1			338
EBRAHIMI, Omid	2	3	5				271
EMANI, Akbar		2	2				78
EZZATOLLAHI, Saeid	9		9		1	1	705
GHAFOORI, Vourya	5		5				407
GHODDOS, Saman	2	2	4	1			217
GHOOCHANNEJAD, Reza	3	3	6				294
HAJSAFY, Ehsan	7		7		1		511
HOSSEINI, Jalal	2	2	4				313
JAHANBAKHSH, AliReza	7	1	8	1	1		532
KANANI-ZADEGAN, Hossein	1		1				76
KARIMI, Ali	3	3	6				349
LAK, Hamed	1		1				91
MAZAHERI, Rashid		1	1				46
MOHAMMADI, Milad	5	1	6		1		501
MONTAZERI, Pejman	3		3				273
PAHLAVAN, Ehsan		1	1				27
POURALIGANJI, Morteza	9		9		2	1	785
POURGHAZ, Ezzatollah		2	2				18
REZAEI, Kaveh	1	2	3				148
REZAEIAN, Ramin	5	3	8				506
SHOJAEI, Masoud	2	1	3		1		168
TAREMI, Mehdi	6	1	7	3	2		525
TORABI, Mehdi	2		2				182

12/12/201712/12/2017

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

01/12/2017

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.

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 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 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.

Iran ticket ‘glitch’ gave female fans hope

01/12/201701/12/2017

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.

01/12/2017

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.

01/12/2017

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