Doha

Iran’s U23 team defeated Qatar in the inaugural match of The Qatar 11th International Friendly Tournament which is held annually. A first half penalty by Payam Sadeghian was enough to award all the 3 points to Iran in a closely fought match played in the Grand Hamad Stadium of Al Arabi Sports Club.

The U23 team coached by Alireza Mansourian will be playing host Qatar, which drew 1-1 with Turkey,  in next match on Saturday.

The winning team will get $50,000, besides there are four different awards: Best Player Award, Best Goalkeeper Award, Best Team, and Top Scorer. Fans can enter the stadium for free as Qatar Football Association has decided not to charge fans for tickets, it was announced yesterday by a QFA official .

“We are expecting Iranian, the Moroccan and Turkish communities to come and support their Olympic squads,” he added.

Despite the free entrance, the match was played with only a handful of fans in the stadium with a marked absence by the ubiquitous Iranian fans due to the match being played on the Persian New Year,  Nowrooz.

The two teams started the match cautiously with both the goalkeepers having no real threat to deal with , however , The North Africans first real threat came with a free kick that shaved the top of the Iran goals and ended up safely out.

After the goal was scored by Sadeghian on the 29th minute , Morocco increased the pressure to score the equalizer but fail to capitalize on Iran’s retreat.

The second half was more about Iran keeping the ball and counter attacking. The Iranian defenders dealt quite well with all of the Moroccan attacks , which were shy in the first place, however , many chances were created by the superb performance of the Iranian midfield players , but no additional goal was scored.

 Commenting on the win, Iranian coach Alireza Mansourian said during a post-match press conference: “This match was one of the strongest matches in this tournament and Iran and Morocco are two of the strongest participating teams. Gaining these three points is a very positive start for the Iranian team and we are now preparing for the next matches against Qatar and Turkey.”

 

IRAN : Alireza  Piranvand ; Amin Hajmohammadi, Mohammad-Vahid Esmaeilbeigi , Mohammadreza Khanzadeh, Saeid Lotfi ,Milad  Gharibi, Bakhtiar Rahmani, Mohsen Mosalman , Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Shahab Karami, Payam Sadeghian

Yellow cards: Sadeghian , Khanzadeh

 

 

Dubai.

Daniel Davari, was introduced to the rest of Team Melli squad by Carlos Queiroz in the Training camp currently held in Dubai. The German born player has been selected by Queiroz to play for Iran a few months back, however,  Davari’s involvement in critical league matches where his team Eintracht Braunschweig is challenging for promotion to the Bundesliga, hindered his appearance for Team Melli.

While most of the European leagues are on a FIFA week break , Davari eventually managed to join the squad that is preparing to meet Kuwait in the AFC Asian Cup 2015 qualifying rounds.

In a short interview with the press, the German-Iranian player expressed his delight with joining Team Melli and said that he has no problem communication with the defenders or the rest of the players. “Fortunately, most of the team speak English while Ashkan Dejagah also speaks fluent German, so I have no real problem communicating with the players” Davari said.

“I am also learning Farsi and already know important words that we have to use during matches” Davari added after completing his first practice session with his teammates in the Iranian Club premises in Dubai.

Team Melli will be meeting Kuwait on the 26th of March 2013 and currently leading the table of 4 teams ahead of their rivals on goal difference. Lebanon and Thailand are the other two teams in the group.

 

A 20 year old second division Swedish league player by the name of William Atashkadeh  who currently plays for Örebro SK in the Allsvenskan is the latest adventures by Carlos Queiroz in his quest to make one of the qualifying spots for the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014.

The Swedish-Iranian player has no significant track record nor has he been prominent in the top flight Swedish football. He was rekegated with his team and managed 5 games in seasons from 2009 to 2011 with IFK Göteborg before joining his current club and relegated in the process.Yet, with Carlos Queiroz consistently and aggressively seeking the services of European based Iranians, he picked this second division player to join Team Melli.

Establishing a trend with a preference for European Iranian over over the home-based players.

Another second division player , Daniel Davari who plays for  Eintracht Braunschweig , has already made the roster and should be available for the training camp currently being held in Dubai.

Tehran:

Iran’s football association has banned Hadi Aghili,  Team Melli central defender for a year and fined him 15 million toman as a result of the player violating the rules by leaving the camp without obtaining proper clearance and without authority. The Disciplinary committee of the Iranian football federation accused and sentenced the player after he left the camp on the eve of the match against Lebanon. The action by Aghili was carried out after the player found out that he will not be starting the match and hence left the camp in protest. The Disciplinary committee ban applies to activities in Iran and does not extend it o other countries.

The suspension does not affect current status of Hadi Aghili who is playing for Qatar FC in Doha , Qatar. However , the defender has indicated that he wishes to return home to Iran after the conclusion of the current Qatar Professional Football League season with a possible move to his old club Sepahan Esfahan.

Aghili has repented and asked for forgiveness in several public announcements before the sentences was passed, but the IFF has ignored his pleas and apologies and passed the sentence regardless.

Seyed Mehdi Rahmati ,  Esteghlal and Team Melli’s goalkeeper is apparently upset about the fact that he was not included in the latest list of players for Team Melli which is preparing for Kuwait match.

The latest list issued , does not include the long serving Esteghlal goalkeeper and instead has a new addition in Daniel Davari , the German-Iranian goalkeeper.

The situation seems to be contradictory and confusing for many observers as Rahmati repeatedly denied any notions that he has retired from or abandoned Team Melli. Rahmati who has  played 76 times for Team Melli has declared that it is his civic and national duty to play for the Team, while on the other hands , Calros Queiroz has been quoted that Rahmati will NOT be selected of the team as long as he is at the helm!!

Press reports after Uzbekistan match where Iran lost the critical home, have quoted Rahmati saying that he will NOT be available for Team Melli selection due to him being targeted for unfair criticism. This followed much negative comments about Rahmati and his role in the two defeats against Lebanon and Uzbekistan. Somehow and soon after that statement , Rahmati seemed to do a U turn on the statement and changed his mind, possibly on advice of his peers at the club, saying that he will be at the service of Team Melli anytime.

Rahmati’s discontent about not being selected was published in his own website.  Rahmati sarcastically said that he will keep quiet about this latest affair to let some old friends to cherish the moment of him being left out of Team Melli!  The ex-Fajr Sepasi and Sepahan goalkeeper, added that he will  not comment on his omission from Team Melli in respect to the critical situation of both Club and country.  That last statement begs a question then , if he wants to maintain silence and not rock the boat, then why is he declaring his anger and discomfort in the public and in his own website?

Tehran :

Iran’s U-22 team coach  Coach Alireza Mansourianshorlisted 20 players  for particpation in the Qatar International Football Tournament that will commence in Doha on March 21.

Iran will play Morocco (21st March) , host team Qatar (23rd March) and Turkey (25th March) in the event.

The Final list of players

1. Ahmad Zendehrouh (Tractorsazi Tabriz)
2. Alireza Jahanbakhsh (Damash Gilan)
3. Alireza  Piranvand (Esteghlal)
4. Amir Abedzadeh (Perspolis)
5. Amin Hajmohammadi
6. Bakhtiar Rahmani (Foolad Khuzestan)
7. Eman Sadeghi (Malvan Anzali)
8. Hadi Dehghani (Aluminium Hormozgan)
9. Kaveh Rezaei (Saipa Alborz)
10. Milad  Gharibi (Saipa Alborz)
11. Mohammadreza Khanzadeh (Perspolis)
12. Mohammad-Vahid Esmaeilbeigi (Mes Kerman)
13. Mohsen Mosalman (Zob Ahan)
14. Morteza Pouraliganji (Naft Tehran)
15. Morteza Tabrizi (Pas Hamedan)
16. Navid Khoshhava (Saba Qom)
17. Omid  Alishah (Rah Ahan)
18. Payam Sadeghian (Zob Ahan)
19. Saeid Lotfi (Saba Qom)
20. Shahab Karami (Foolad Khuzestan)

Related Article

35 players invited for Team Melli Olympic squad

 

 

The list of players invited to the Team Melli camp has been announced in preparation for the Asian Cup 2015 Qualifiers. Iran, leading the group  is to meet Kuwait right after Nowrooz in Kuwait City on 26th March 2013.

Team Melli will have a prepatory camp in the UAE before flying to Kuwait for the match. The German-Iranian player , Daniel Davari who plays his football for the Bundesliga II club  Eintracht Braunschweig, is finally joning the squad.

The list of invited players.

Goalkeepers:

Rahman Ahmadi – Saipa
Alireza HAGHIGHI, – Ruben Kazan , RUS
Daniel Davari– Eintracht Braunschweig, GER

Defenders:
Khosrow HEYDARI– Esteghlal
Hossein  MAHINI – Persepolis
Jalal HOSSEINI,– Persepolis
Pejman MONTAZERI – Esteghlal
Mohammad NOSRATI – Tractor Sazi
Shojaa  KHALILZADEH – Mes Kerman
Mehrdad POOLADI – Persepolis
Ehsan HAJSAFY – Sepahan

Midfielders:
Javad NEKOUNAM – Esteghlal
Andranik TEYMOURIAN – Kharaityat, QAT
Ghassim HADDADIFAR – Zob Ahan
Omid EBRAHIMI – Sepahan
Mojtaba JABBARI, – Esteghlal

Strikers:

Ashkan DEJAGAH  – Fulham, ENG
Reza GHOOCHANEJAD – Standard Liège , BEL
MohamadReza KHALATBARY– Sepahan
Yaghoub Karimi – Naft Tehran
Mehrdad OULADI – Malavan
Jalal RAFKHAEIi – Malavan
Masoud SHOJAEI – Osasuna

 

Iran regained its 4th spot in Aisa in this month’s FIFA Ranking after losing it to Uzbekistan in February. With 540 points , Iran is in the 57th spot one ahead of its direct rival Uzbekistan on 536.

FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking

 

Continental Ranking

 

Highest FIFA ranking

15 – July 2005. .

Lowest FIFA Ranking

122 – May 1996.

Best Mover

65 – July 1996

Worst mover

-43 – October 1995

Ranking History

Iran average position from FIFA World Ranking creation is 47

Ranking Evolution

Two of the Lebanese national team players that are amongst the team squad in the FIFA world cup 2014 qualifiers were banned for life. Lebanon is in the same group as Iran and has defeated Team Melli 1-0 in the home match in Beirut while losing to Qatar  in Beirut with the same goal margin under under suspicious circumstances where one of the players who has been banned for life , Ramez Dayoub played a poor back pass that led to the only goal in a 1-0 defeat by Qatar..

FIFA has neither commented nor acted on the match or the suspensions by the Lebanese football association. There are also no indication of whether Iran’s Football associations  will lodge a complaint or request an investigation in the match that affects Iran’s chances of qualification to the Finals of the World Cup.

In an the following article and interviews , Lebanon’s German coach with the BBC, Theo Bucj=ker reveals his anger over match fixing by Lebanon players , or at l;east two of them.

Lebanon head coach reveals anger over match fixing

By Steve Crossman BBC World Service

A national team head coach has revealed his torment after two of his players “sold out their country” and were convicted of match-fixing.

Lebanon defender Ramez Dayoub and forward Mahmoud El Ali have been banned for life pending an appeal after being found guilty of the offence by their national association.

The charges relate to incidents in a 2014 World Cup qualification game and a tournament in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia where the opposition were gifted a goal and an attempt was made to coerce a team-mate.

For German head coach Theo Bucker, who played for both Borussia Dortmund and Schalke in a 19-year playing career, the news has cast doubt on his own future.

“I’m really mixed up in my way of thinking these days,” he told the BBC’s World Football programme. “I don’t know what the next step is.”

Bucker, 64, first took charge of Lebanon at the turn of the century and returned in 2011. His second stint has proved to be hugely successful, with the nation progressing into the final round of World Cup qualifying for the first time in their history.

The achievement has proved bittersweet, however, as it was in the opening game of that stage that Bucker’s suspicions of foul play were first raised when Dayoub played a poor back pass that led to the only goal in a 1-0 defeat by Qatar.

“We were showing some good action and then suddenly a [Qatar] player has the ball in a one-on-one situation and you get the feeling that something is wrong,” he said. “The guy looked paralysed or something.

“I never came close to the idea that someone could not just sell the game, but sell their country.”
Play media

Europol head Rob Wainwright said his findings were a “big problem for the integrity of football in Europe”.

“Then I checked the video and found that this guy had tried to make the same pass several times, helping the opponent striker to score – this was very suspicious,” he added.

“We didn’t have any proof and I was trying to find an excuse by believing that he couldn’t handle the pressure of such an important game.”

Any thought that he might have been mistaken was rejected in July during a tournament in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia when two Lebanon players tried to persuade their goalkeeper to leave the game. The keeper refused and reported the behaviour.

Both Dayoub and El Ali – who were also fined $15,000 (£10,000) – insist they have done nothing wrong.

“This is a serious allegation,” said Dayeb. “I have no doubt there’s something behind this.

“If I really am guilty of match-fixing, [football’s international governing body] Fifa will investigate and suspend me, not the Lebanese FA.”

A Fifa statement has praised the Middle Eastern nation for the strength of their response.

The suspensions form part of the latest match fixing scandal to come to light in the wake of Europol’s investigation into match fixing, which uncovered suspicious activity relating to 680 matches worldwide.

Seyed Hadi Aghili , Team Melli’s central defender , strongly denied the press reports and accusations that he has left Team Melli camp on the eve of the match against Lebanon. Aghili was absent from the team roster in last Wednesday which was the first  match of the AFC Asian Cup 2015 qualifiers.

Aghili said that he did not leave the Team Melli camp and the hotel without permission , however he declined to go into details and admitted that he should have had the proper authorization before leaving the hotel.

Aghili was speaking from Qatar on the phone in the highly popular “Navad” TV show and stated that he will properly defend himself in person as talking on the phone in a TV show is not the proper means od doing so.