Category: News

A Blooper for the Ages: Moghanlou’s Shocking Miss Against North Korea

One of the most embarrassing moments in Iranian football history unfolded during Team Melli’s match against North Korea at Azadi Stadium on Tuesday. Despite having already secured qualification in March, two rounds before the end of the campaign, Iran’s performance, or lack thereof, left fans in disbelief.

A Disjointed First Half

With several key players absent, head coach Amir Ghalenoei’s experimental lineup failed to click from the start. Ghalenoei, already a frequent target of social media criticism for his questionable substitutions, outdid himself this time with a decision that will be remembered for all the wrong reasons.

When young debutant Razzaghinia went down with an injury in the first half, Ghalenoei turned to his bench for a replacement. In a baffling move, he brought on Shahriar Moghanlou, a decision that defied logic and raised serious questions about player selection criteria.

The Miss That Summed It All Up

The defining moment came in the 37th minute. Mohammad Mohebi, after skillfully bypassing North Korea’s defense, found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Rather than taking the shot himself, he unselfishly squared the ball to Moghanlou, who had an open net in front of him.

What followed was pure farce.

Moghanlou, with no pressure and the entire goal at his mercy, somehow managed to miss completely, sending his effort wide in a manner more befitting a Sunday league match than an international fixture. The miss wasn’t just a personal embarrassment for the striker; it was a damning indictment of Team Melli’s deeper issues.

Cronyism or Incompetence?

Moghanlou’s inclusion in the squad had already raised eyebrows. The Ittihad Kalba forward, an average player at best in the UAE Pro League, is neither a regular starter for his club nor in particularly good form. His decline over the season made his call-up, and subsequent playing time, all the more perplexing.

Meanwhile, Iran’s domestic league top scorers, Amir Hossein Hosseinzadeh and Ali Alipour, watched from the bench. Both had started in the previous match against Qatar but were far from their best, though the entire team struggled after Milad Mohammadi’s reckless red card left them a man down.

Yet, even accounting for those circumstances, Ghalenoei’s insistence on fielding Moghanlou over proven goalscorers speaks volumes. The incident has reignited accusations of favoritism in Team Melli’s selection process, with critics arguing that meritocracy has taken a backseat to personal preferences.

A Moment That Symbolizes Bigger Problems

Moghanlou’s miss wasn’t just a blooper, it was a microcosm of Iranian football’s recurring struggles: questionable managerial decisions, inconsistent player selection, and a lack of accountability. Unless these systemic issues are addressed, such embarrassments will continue to haunt Team Melli on the international stage.

Victory for Team Melli against North Korea

Tehran:
the-afc.com

Late goals from Mehdi Mohebi, Mehdi Taremi and Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh earned Iran a 3-0 win over 10-man DPR Korea at the Azadi Stadium on Tuesday to seal top spot in Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26.

The visitors frustrated Amir Ghalenoi’s side until Kye Tam was sent off for a foul on Omid Noorafkan with 24 minutes remaining and the Iranians took advantage, with Mohebi putting his side ahead in the 74th minute and Taremi adding the second three minutes later.

Hosseinzadeh completed the scoring three minutes into injury time with a composed finish on the run.

Victory confirmed the Iranians, who secured their qualification for the FIFA World Cup in March, as the winners of Group A ahead Uzbekistan while DPR Korea finished rooted to the bottom of the standings at the completion of the third phase of the AFC Asian Qualifiers.

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Iranian captain Taremi had presented the DPR Korea defence with a constant threat throughout the opening exchanges, the Inter Milan forward forcing goalkeeper Kang Ju Hyok into a pair of early saves.

His first attempt came in the ninth minute as he unleashed a low drive from 20 yards out that Kang did well to keep out with a dive to his right.

Kang was on hand two minutes later to deny Arya Yousefi’s attempt from the corner of the penalty area while Taremi was frustrated at much closer range, the striker seeing his attempt to side foot an effort from seven yards out blocked by the goalkeeper.

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The Iranian pressure continued with Mohebi powering a left-foot drive towards goal from outside the area, but the shot just drifted wide.

After weathering that initial period of dominance from the home side, DPR Korea started to impose themselves on proceedings. Ra Myong Song’s first-time effort was blocked by Saeid Ezatolahi in the 26th minute as Sin Yong Nam’s side finally threatened.

However, the home side should have taken the lead seven minutes before the break. Mohebi was released behind the defence before feeding the ball through to unmarked Shahriyar Moghanloo, but the substitute somehow dragged his shot wide of the target.

Group A: IR Iran v DPR Korea

Having been second-best for much of the first half, DPR Korea almost went in front on the hour mark with Iranian goalkeeper Seyed Hossein Hosseini forced to tip Ri Il Son’g s shot from distance over the bar.

But Kye Tam’s reckless challenge on Noorafkan with 24 minutes remaining saw referee Muhammad Nasaruddin dismiss the midfielder and, within eight minutes, IR Iran went in front.

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Noorafkan’s centre from the left skipped through the penalty area towards the unmarked Mohebi, and he slotted past Kang.

Taremi then doubled the lead with a downward header from eight yards out from Mohebi’s clipped cross from the right and Hosseinzadeh put the seal on the win when he raced onto Taremi’s pass to slot beyond Kang.

Ghalenoei’s Missteps : A Failure in Selection and Strategy

Despite the excuses offered by Amir Ghalenoei to justify Iran’s defeat against Qatar, the evidence suggests he fell short in multiple areas, chief among them, player selection. Team Melli lost to the same Qatari side they had convincingly beaten 4-1 in their previous encounter. This time, however, Qatar was significantly weaker: fresh off a 3-1 loss to Kyrgyzstan and with their World Cup qualification hopes dashed, their morale was at rock bottom. The opportunity to exploit their vulnerability was clear, yet Iran failed miserably.

A combination of nostalgia, overconfidence, and questionable decision-making led Ghalenoei to field a lineup that, on paper, never looked capable of securing victory. Whether out of sentimentality (given his history with Al-Sadd) or misplaced faith in certain players, his choices backfired spectacularly. The result? A disjointed, uninspired performance riddled with amateurish errors and a glaring lack of tactical coherence.

A Predictable Outcome

The match followed a familiar script for those who have watched Ghalenoei’s Iran: rigid tactics, reliance on underperforming veterans, and a refusal to adapt. While Japan, Asia’s top-ranked team, experimented with nine new players in their loss to Australia, Ghalenoei stubbornly stuck with the same old faces and paid the price.

A coach resistant to criticism, Ghalenoei only seems to reconsider his approach after humiliating defeats. Yet, even then, his changes tend to be superficial rather than transformative. Many believe he will continue to favor aging, underperforming players unless forced by public pressure to make meaningful adjustments.

What Team Melli’s Lineup Should Be

Based on merit and current form, this is the starting XI Iran should field in upcoming matches against North Korea:

Starting XI:

  • GK: Seyed Hossein Hosseini
  • DEF: Sadegh Moharrami – Amin Hevbavi – Aref Aghasi – Omid Noorafkan
  • MID: Mehdi Hasheminejad – Saman Ghoddos – Roozbeh Cheshmi
  • ATT: Mehdi Taremi – Javad Hosseinnejad – Amir Hossein Hosseinzadeh

Players Who Should Be Dropped

  • Alipour & Moghanlou: Neither has shown the consistency or impact required at this level.
  • Khalilzadeh: Past his prime and prone to costly mistakes.
  • Saleh Hardani: While dangerous as an attacking full-back, his defensive frailties are too glaring to ignore.
  • Milad Mohammadi: His poor disciplinary record and declining form warrant exclusion. Simply pleading for forgiveness isn’t enough—Iran has plenty of alternatives who deserve a chance.

Time for Change

Ghalenoei must stop treating Team Melli as a retirement home for senior players. Iran has a wealth of emerging talent, but they need opportunities to prove themselves. If he continues down this path, the team’s stagnation will only deepen—and more humiliations will follow.

A Lost Opportunity for Tactical Growth—And a Glaring Leadership Problem

Team Melli entered their match against Qatar with the luxury of already securing World Cup qualification, freeing them from the weight of immediate consequences. Qatar, on the other hand, fought desperately for three points at home to keep their fading hopes alive. The contrast in motivation was obvious—to fans, analysts, and, most importantly, to Amir Ghalenoei and his bloated technical staff. Yet, despite their numbers, Iran’s coaching team once again proved ineffective in navigating adversity.

Given the circumstances, this match should have been an ideal test of tactical discipline. A chance to refine defensive resilience against an aggressive opponent, to dictate tempo through possession, and to apply psychological pressure on a vulnerable Qatar side. Instead, Iran unraveled, culminating in Milad Mohammadi’s inexcusable 31st-minute dismissal.

Mohammadi’s red card was not just a momentary lapse; it was a damning indictment of Team Melli’s recurring mental frailties. A 31-year-old veteran with 70 caps and experience across European leagues (Russia, Belgium, Greece, Turkey) should know better than to earn a second yellow just two minutes after his first—especially for a needless foul near midfield. Petulance and lack of intelligence overshadowed professionalism, and once again, Iran’s lack of discipline cost them.

Ghalenoei, predictably, blamed the red card for derailing Iran’s plans on top of the two childish mistakes of Mohammadi and Beiranvand, conceding the goal. But such excuses ring hollow. Even before Mohammadi’s dismissal, Iran looked disjointed, unable to create chances or impose any coherent strategy. Taremi was disappointing, the rest were underwhelming. The truth is, this has been a persistent issue under Ghalenoei, regardless of personnel or match context.

After every setback, the head coach deflects. This time, he targeted the referee, claiming poor officiating “unsettled” his team. Yet the real issue isn’t a single official’s decisions, it’s Ghalenoei’s inability to elevate this squad beyond its flaws. Iran’s player pool is among Asia’s strongest, brimming with European-based veterans and emerging talents. But under his rigid, risk-averse leadership, the team stagnates, lacking creativity and adaptability.

The question isn’t whether Ghalenoei is out of his depth, as his struggles against Asian opponents have already answered that. The real issue is why decision-makers persist with him ahead of the World Cup. If he can’t outmaneuver regional rivals, how can he possibly compete with the world’s elite?

Blind faith won’t propel Iran past the group stage; a tactical overhaul might. But time is running out.

Team Melli defeated in Doha.

Doha: Qatar kept their FIFA World Cup qualification hopes alive on Thursday as Pedro Correia scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over the 10 men of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Doha to confirm his side’s progress to the playoffs of the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26.

The back-to-back AFC Asian Cup™ champions made the most of Milad Mohammadi’s 35th minute sending off to secure a win against the already-qualified Iranians as Qatar moved into fourth place in Group A and advance to the playoffs, where an additional two slots to the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be at stake.

Correia netted in the 41st minute and victory in Julien Lopetegui’s first game in charge takes the Qataris onto 13 points from nine games and leaves the 2022 FIFA World Cup hosts a point behind the United Arab Emirates with Tuesday’s clash with Uzbekistan remaining.

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The Iranians went into the game having confirmed their progress to a seventh FIFA World Cup in March and Saeid Ezatolahi twice tested Meshaal Barsham inside the first 10 minutes, the goalkeeper dealing with both efforts as the visitors started the game on the front foot.

It took Qatar time to settle and Ahmed Al Ganehi hit a rising shot over the bar in the 17th minute at the end of a fluent move that had seen Edmilson Junior find Almoez Ali in the area, allowing the AFC Asian Cup winner to lay off possession to his team mate.

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Two quick yellow cards in succession saw Iranian defender Mohammadi sent off, the veteran dismissed with more than 10 minutes remaining in the first half for a clumsy challenge on Edmilson Junior that saw him fly into the back of the Belgium-born winger.

Alireza Beiranvand was at full stretch to keep out Akram Afif’s low effort from the edge of the area soon after Mohammadi was dismissed and, with four minutes left in the half, the Iranian goalkeeper was beaten as Qatar took the lead.

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Karim Boudiaf clipped the ball into the penalty area for Correia and the persistent full-back slotted past Beiranvand from close range at the second attempt after the goalkeeper had saved his initial header from close range.

Group A: Qatar v IR Iran

Roozbeh Cheshmi had a sight of goal for the Iranians midway through the half as he nodded Saman Ghoddos’ cross wide of Barsham’s goal in a reminder to the Qataris of the threat their visitors presented despite being a man down.

But Qatar held on to take the three points to maintain their FIFA World Cup qualifying dream by handing the Iranians their first defeat of the third phase of the preliminaries.

Mehdi Gahedi out of the squad

Mehdi Ghaedi will miss Iran’s upcoming matches against Qatar and North Korea after sustaining an injury during training. According to ISNA, the winger left the session in Doha after straining his left calf muscle.

Team medical staff confirmed that further tests will be conducted within the next 24 hours, but initial assessments suggest Ghaedi will require three weeks to recover. Following the injury, assistant coach Nasrollah Abdollahi consoled Ghaedi, spending several minutes by his side.

Ghaedi’s absence adds to Iran’s growing injury concerns, as Sardar Azmoun , Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Mohammad Mohebi, Ali Gholizadeh, and Seyyed Majid Hosseini had already been ruled out of the two matches

Familiar Foes Clash Again: Iran and Qatar Set for Crucial World Cup Qualifier


Iran and Qatar, two regional rivals with a long history, are set to face off once again in a high-stakes World Cup qualifier. The two sides have met on 27 previous occasions, with Iran holding a commanding edge in the head-to-head record. Like many other Persian Gulf teams, Qatar has often found itself on the losing end against Team Melli, although there have been exceptions.

The reigning AFC Asian Cup champions, Qatar have occasionally proven a stubborn challenge for Iran—most notably in their 3-2 victory during the semi-finals of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup. However, the Iranians have also handed the Maroons heavy defeats, including two emphatic 4-1 wins in their last five encounters.

This upcoming match promises to be fiercely competitive. For Qatar, it’s a do-or-die scenario. Sitting fourth in Group A, anything less than a win could mean practical elimination from the current phase of FIFA World Cup 2026™ qualifiers. The consequences would be severe: missing out on a playoff berth and dealing a serious blow to the nation’s football ambitions.

Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, the Qatar Football Association acted—albeit late—by appointing Julen Lopetegui as head coach. The former Spain and Real Madrid manager takes charge at a critical juncture. While direct qualification from this round is already out of reach, a third- or fourth-place finish would allow Qatar to progress to the playoff round. There, six teams will fight for two remaining spots at the World Cup, with one final berth available through the intercontinental FIFA Play-Off Tournament.

Mehdi Taremi

Iran, meanwhile, approaches the match with less pressure, having already secured progression. However, questions remain over head coach Amir Ghalenoei’s reluctance to refresh his squad. Despite constant public calls for generational change, it appears unlikely that Ghalenoei will seize this opportunity to give promising young players meaningful minutes.

In truth, Iran has delivered just one standout performance in the third round so far—and that came against this very Qatar side. The rest of their campaign has been marked by laborious victories and defensive lapses, with goalkeeping issues drawing particular criticism.

While fans should not expect a radically different lineup or tactical shift, there is hope that key players like Mehdi Taremi and Saman Ghoddos can produce moments of quality. Much is also expected of the dynamic Mehdi Ghayedi, and if given the opportunity, the domestic league’s top scorer, Amir Hossein Hosseinzadeh, could offer a much-needed spark. Both have enjoyed outstanding seasons and could inject creativity and energy into the attack.

Amir Hossein Hosseinzadeh

Iran will feel the absence of Sardar Azmoun, who remains sidelined. Nevertheless, despite an underwhelming season at Inter Milan, Taremi continues to be a potent attacking force and a constant threat to opposing defenses.

As the countdown to kickoff begins, the stakes could not be higher for Qatar—and the scrutiny on Iran’s tactical approach continues to grow. Fans will be watching closely, not just for the result, but for signs of real progress and long-overdue renewal within Team Melli.


HEAD2HEAD


Ghalenoei’s Hollow Promises: Youth Movement Stalled as Old Guard Remains Untouchable


Despite repeated promises of ushering in a new generation, Iran national team head coach Amir Ghalenoei continues to sidestep meaningful reform—opting instead for symbolic gestures that give the illusion of change while clinging to the same aging core.

Ghalenoei’s public rhetoric has, for months, championed a “youth movement,” but the reality on the pitch tells a different story. While younger players have appeared on preliminary call-up lists, they are often omitted from final squads in favor of familiar veterans—regardless of form or fitness. This duplicity has not gone unnoticed by fans or players.

The growing frustration recently came to a head with the high-profile absence of Mehdi Torabi. The in-form midfielder refused to accept his latest call-up, reportedly disillusioned by what he and others see as a pattern of favoritism and empty words. Torabi has been outspoken about the hypocrisy of a coach who claims to value youth and meritocracy, yet repeatedly sidelines deserving players in favor of those entrenched in the system.

Iran’s average squad age at the 2022 World Cup was 28.9—the oldest among all participating nations. That figure barely budged in AFC Asian Cup 2023, with the average only falling to 28.6 under Ghalenoei. This stagnation has sparked increasing calls for a generational overhaul, particularly following Iran’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup after the 2-2 draw against Uzbekistan.

In the aftermath of that match, Ghalenoei assured fans change was imminent:

“From now on, there will be more time for young players. I promise to give them more opportunities. But it has to be done in a way that ensures they remain part of the team for years to come.”

Yet, just weeks later, his tone shifted. Speaking at a national team training session on Monday, Ghalenoei walked back his earlier commitments:

“These two games (Qatar and North Korea) are very important for us… their results affect our ranking and seeding. The youth trend has started since we arrived. Whoever is worthy and the best at the time will be selected.”

Such statements have become increasingly hollow to a public that sees little evidence of change. Critics argue that Ghalenoei is merely paying lip service to the idea of generational renewal while continuing to rely on the same old faces—many of whom are well past their prime.

After Iran’s controversial performance against North Korea and Kyrgyzstan, criticism of Ghalenoei’s tactics and team selection intensified. His response was deflective and combative:

“They don’t love Iran; they love their own interests.”

But it’s not criticism for criticism’s sake. Fans are demanding accountability, transparency, and a future-focused approach. The superficial rotation of a few younger names in training camps—without meaningful match time—is increasingly viewed as a deliberate tactic to pacify public opinion while avoiding real change.

With the upcoming fixtures against Qatar and North Korea looming, the question remains: Will Ghalenoei finally back his words with actions, or will Iran’s national team continue to drift under the weight of broken promises and aging legs?

The clock is ticking—not just for Iran’s next generation of footballers, but for the credibility of its national team’s leadership.



Final list of Team Melli player for Qatar match

Goalkeepers:
Alireza Beiranvand, Payam Niazand, Seyed Hossein Hosseini, Mohammad Khalifa

Defenders:

Milad Mohammadi, Omid Noorafkan, Shoja Khalilzadeh, Aref Aghasi, Ali Nemati, Morteza Pouraligonji, Amin Hezbawi, Sadegh Moharrami, Saleh Hardani

Midfielders:

Mehdi Ghaeydi, Mehdi Hashemnejad, Saman Ghoddos, Roozbeh Cheshmi, Mohammad Razaghnia, Saeed Ezzatollahi, Mohammad Ghorbani, Mohammad Karimi, Aria Yousefi, Mehdi Mohebi

Forwards:

Mehdi Taremi, Javad Hosseinnejad, Amir Hossein Hosseinzadeh, Shahriar Moghanlou, Ali Alipour

Team Melli adds Eleven Players Ahead of Final World Cup Qualifiers

According to the official website of the Football Federation, the coaching staff has added eleven players to the national squad attending the training camp ahead of the final two qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The team is set to face Qatar on June 5th in Doha, followed by a match against North Korea on June 10th at Azadi Stadium in Tehran. These final fixtures are expected to see several changes to the regular lineup.

The following players have been added to the squad, which so far has comprised mainly of domestic league talents:
Mohammad Mehdi Zare (Gol Gohar Sirjan), Sadegh Moharrami (Dinamo Zagreb), Amir Mohammad Razaqnia (Gol Gohar Sirjan), Saeed Ezzatollahi (Shabab Al-Ahli), Saman Ghoddos (Ittihad Kalba), Mohammad Ghorbani (Al-Wehda), Mehdi Ghaedi (Ittihad Kalba), Javad Hosseinnejad (Dinamo Makhachkala), Shahriar Moghanlou (Ittihad Kalba), Seyyed Majid Hosseini, (Kayserispor) and Mehdi Taremi (Inter Milan).

Arrival Schedule:

  • Mehdi Taremi will join the camp in Doha following the UEFA Champions League final.
  • Seyyed Majid Hosseini is expected to arrive after the conclusion of the Turkish Süper Lig season.
  • Saman Ghoddos will join the squad on May 30th after returning from Sweden and attending to family commitments.
  • Mohammad Mehdi Zare, Sadegh Moharrami, Amir Mohammad Razaqnia, and Mohammad Ghorbani will begin training with the national team tomorrow (Thursday).
  • Javad Hosseinnejad, Saeed Ezzatollahi, Shahriar Moghanlou, and Mehdi Ghaedi will report to camp on Friday.

Additional players are expected to be called up following the Hazfi Cup final between Esteghlal and Malavan.

Notable Absentees:
The team will be without Alireza Jahanbakhsh (SC Heerenveen), Sardar Azmoun (Shabab Al-Ahli), Ali Gholizadeh (Lech Poznan), and Mohammad Mohebi (FC Rostov), who are sidelined due to injuries and medical concerns.

There are two more players who are not on the list, Ahmad Nourollahi (Al-Wehda) and Mehdi Zare (Tractor) , who seem to be at odds with the head coach, Ghalenoei. The Former has been omitted form the list while the latter who was on the initial list , refused the call-up in protest of unfair and biased practices in the selection process and playing time in Team Melli.