Category: News

Amir Ghalenoei announces his first squad

Amir Ghalenoei has picked up his first squad ahead of the two international friendlies against Russia and then Kenya both in Azadi Stadium, Tehran.

There were no major surprises as the bulk of the previous Team Melli squad was picked. Ghalenoei, however, did not call eight players from the previous squad of Carlos Queiroz. Karim Ansarifard, Saman Ghoddos, Ali Karimi, Milad Mohammadi, Abolfazl Jalali, Morteza Pouraliganji,  Amir Abedzadeh and Majid Hosseini. Apart from the latter who is injured, the rest have been suffering performance issues or warming their club’s benches.

One of the notable absentees is Allahyar Sayyadmanesh, of Hull City in the championship. Although he is back after a longish injury deprived him of playing, it seems that Sayyadmanesh still requires more time to fully recover.

 

Of the new players, many of them passed 25 years of age bracket, Hezbavi of Team Melli U19, is the most significant. Despite his good performance in Uzbekistan in the AFC U19  Asian Cup 2023, he was unable to lead the team to the finals, although his selection to Team Melli is a good consolation.

 

the squad

Position No. Player Club Age Caps
MF 1 Ahmad Nourollahi Shabab Al Ahli (UAE) 29 28
MF 2 Ali Gholizadeh Kasimspor (TUR) 26 29
MD 3 Alireza Jahanbakhsh Feyenoord (NED) 29 66
GK 4 Alireza Beiranvand Persepolis (IRA) 30 54
FW 5 Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh Charleroi (BEL) 22 3
DF 6 Aref Aghasi Foolad Khuzestan (IRN) 26 2
DF 7 Armin Sohrabian Gol Gohar Sirjan (IRN) 27 0
MF 8 Ehsan Hajsafi AEK Athens (GRE) 32 122
GK 9 Hossein Hosseini Esteghlal (IRA) 30 8
FW 10 Hossein Kanaani Al Ahli (QAT) 28 36
GK 11 Hossein Pourhamidi Aluminum( Arak (IRN) 24 0
DF 12 Mehdi Hosseini Mes Rafsanjan IRI) 29 0
FW 13 Mehdi Taremi Porto (POR) 30 63
MF 14 Mehdi Torabi Persepolis (IRA) 29 39
MF 15 Milad Sarlak Persepolis (IRA) 27 11
MF 16 Milad Zakipour Sepahan (IRA) 27 0
DF 17 Mohammad Amin Hizbavi Foolad Khuzestan (IRN) 19 0
FW 18 Mohammad Hossein Eslami Zob Ahan (IRI) 22 0
MF 19 Mohammad Karimi Sepahan (IRA) 26 0
MF 20 Mohammad Mohebi Esteghlal (IRA) 24 3
DF 21 Omid Noorafken Sepahan (IRA) 25 15
GK 22 Payam Niazmand Sepahan (IRA) 27 1
FW 23 Ramin Rezaeian Sepahan (IRA) 32 48
FW 24 Reza Asadi Tractor Tabriz (IRI) 27 0
FW 25 Reza Shekhari Gol Gohar Sirjan (IRI) 24 0
GK 26 Roozbeh Cheshmi Esteghlal (IRA) 30 21
DF 27 Sadegh Moharrami Dinamo Zagreb (CRO) 26 21
MF 28 Saeid Ezatolahi Vejle (DEN) 26 50
FW 29 Sardar Azmoun Bayer Leverkusen (GER) 27 68
FW 30 Shahriar Mughanloo Sepahan (IRA) 28 0
DF 31 Shoja Khalilzadeh Al Ahli (QAT) 33 25
MF 32 Vahid Amiri Persepolis (IRA) 34 68

Team Melli defender Saman Fallah involved in a fatal car crash.

Saman Falah, the Peykan and Team Melli defender was seriously injured in a fatal car crash on his return to Tehran. One occupant died and another was seriously injured along with Fallah.

Latest reports indicate that the defender is recovering well from his injuries and the bleeding has stopped, It is not known who the driver of the vehicle was during the accident.

The 21 years old, Fallah was on the 30-man list of Team Melli but was dropped out from the squad flying to Doha for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Fallah also captained the Iran U23 team and made several appearances at various age-level teams for Iran.

Kenya, to meet Team Melli in Azadi.

According to a news report, the Kenyan Football Federation officially announced that the national team of Kenya will face Iran on March 28th  in an international friendly match at Tehran’s Azadi Stadium.

Before this, Iran’s national team has a match arranged against Russia on March 23rd at Azadi Stadium. Amir Ghalenoei will lead Team Melli for the first time since his recent appointment as Head Coach.

Kenya’s national team, Harambee Stars, will flex muscles with Iran in an international friendly on March 28, Football Kenya Federation chief executive officer, Barry Otieno has confirmed. Stars will travel to Tehran for the match as they make their comeback to the international stage after being banned by the world football governing body, Fifa, in February of last year.

Otieno has urged Kenyans to rejoice over the national team’s return after a year away, adding that the friendly will be the ideal chance for them to freshen up after getting rusty from inactivity. “On March 28, the Harambee Stars return to the pitch for the first time in over a year. This is a big moment for Kenya. I expect a great match and urge all Kenyans to rally behind the team so that we can move forward together,” Otieno remarked.

The FKF boss said they would deploy every resource at their disposal to help Kenya qualify for the next Africa Cup of Nations.

National team head coach Engin Firat welcomed the fixture, saying Iran will provide a good test for Kenya. “Iran is a World Cup nation and is ranked 24th in the world. Playing them in our first match back after suspension will help us assess where we are which is the first step in rebuilding the team and working our way to a high level of competitiveness,” Firat said.

“It is important to keep the team engaged and to keep working so that we can play at a good level when we return.” The Turkish gaffer revealed he will name the provisional squad on Thursday morning, before the start of a residential training camp on March 19.

Engin Firat, has previous coaching experience in Iran’s Saipa and Sepahan clubs. Firat was also the assistant of Ali Daei on the Iranian national team at one point in time.

Iran and Kenya have met twice with both matches played in Iran with Iran also winning them both.

 

 

IRAN v KENYA

Head2Head

FIFA Ranking:

Iran – 24th  [1551 pts]
Kenya -101 [1202 pts]

Date Comp. H / A / N Final score Stadium Attendance
14.03.2009 Friendly H 1 – 0 Azadi Stadium, Tehran 6500
21.04.1997 Friendly / Friendly H 3 – 0 Tabriz 42000

Iraq friendly match cancelled.

Mohammad Mehdi Nabi, an executive at the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI), has announced the cancellation of Team Melli’s second friendly game. The match was scheduled to take place after their friendly against Russia.

According to Nabi, the reason for the cancellation was that Iraq suggested hosting the match in their country. However, this proposal was not accepted by FFIRI due to their prior arrangement to play against Russia in Tehran. “We have finalized one game and our goal is to have a second match here in Tehran as well,” said Nabi.

FFIRI personnel are actively seeking another team to play against on FIFA day. Amir Ghalenoei will test his selection against Russia on March 23rd. It is believed that most legionnaires will be available for this match, which coincides with the Nowrooz festivities. The exception is Majid Hosseini, whose Turkish club announced his injury last week.

 

Amir Ghalenoei already active in Team Melli preparations.

Amir Ghalenoei is wasting no time in his quest to prepare Team Melli for the two upcoming friendlies on FIFA Day.

The newly appointed Team Melli head coach will announce the list of 23 to 26 players after the conclusion of the match between Golgohar and Foolad Kusestan in the Hazfi Cup. on March 17th. The training camp will commence on 19th March as the players will start arriving at the National Teams Training center in Tehran. Despite the prior announcement that the coaching team has already been selected, the assistants to  Amir Ghalenoei in the Iranian national team has not yet been determined, and considering that Mehdi Taj is away from the country, attending the FIFA Congress, Ghalenoei had meetings with the executive officials of the national team today to prepare for the camp. Mehdi Taj announced yesterday that the names of Ghalenoei’s assistants have not yet been determined, but a foreign coach will be part of the coaching staff alongside national coaches.

On the other hand, an ongoing poll by ISNA on the question of whether Ghalenoei is the right choice for Team Melli had a 50-50 split.

Iran will play Russia and then Iraq on the first FIFA Day of the year

Amir Ghalenoei appointed as Head coach of Team Melli.

 Amir Ghalenoei, who is on the verge of turning 60, was appointed by the Football Federation as the new head coach of Team Melli as the replacement for Carlos Queiroz.
After 13 years of foreign coaches on the bench of the national team, an Iranian was selected. Afshin Ghotbi , and Mansourian on a caretaker basis, were the last of the Iranians who coached Team Melli. Ghotbi failed to achieve success with Iran in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup as South Korea ended the Iranian dream in the quarter-finals. Alireza Mansourian briefly took over the leadership of the national team for only one game against Russia. After this, the Portuguese Carlos Queiroz took over to begin his long reign of coaching in 2011.
Queiroz has since taken Iran to 5 major tournaments, of which were 3 FIFA World Cups and two AFC Asian Cups between 2011 and briefly in 2022.  The Portuguese who was a difficult character off the field and a strong advocate of a defensive game was a divisive figure among the fans. Some truly believed in him despite his failures in major tournaments, while others thought of him as the major stumbling block to the development of football in Iran.
Post-FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qata, the FFIRI has approached many coaches including, the former Qatar coach Sanches. However, to the surprise of many, Amir Ghalenoei, who has earlier announced that he is out of the race for the Team Melli head coach, was chosen ahead of the rest.
Ghalenoei succeeded Branko Ivanković to become the head coach of Iran on 17th July 2006. He took over while the team was preparing for the AFC Asian Cup 2007 qualifiers. In these preliminaries, he won four games and drew two to qualify for the finals.
In AFC Asian Cup 2007, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Iran under Ghalenoei qualified for the quarter-final stage as the top team from the group consisting of China, Malaysia, and Uzbekistan, winning two and drawing with China.
In the quarter-finals, Iran lost again to its nemesis South Korea in penalty kicks to miss out on reaching the semi-finals. After the AFC Asian Cup 2007, Ghalenoei resigned from his post. his well-respcted record with Iran stood as 
Played Won Draw Loss GF Ga GD
17 10 6 1 30 12 +18
Ghalenoei (born on 21st November 1963) is the most successful national coach in Iran’s domestic league history winning titles with Esteghlal and Sepahan winning a total of five championships and two Hazfi Cup titles. He also managed Tractor.
17 years later, Ghalenoei has another shot to make a name at the international level with Team Melli. There is only one accomplishment that will give him legendary status, and that is lifting the ultimate trophy, the Asian Cup which has eluded Iran for 47 years and counting.
However, Ghaqlenoei comes with by now so familiar heavy baggage of Iranian coaches. The main problem is his demeanor after defeats. He seems to be in denial and lacks the integrity to focus on himself and his players, instead, he diverts the ball to others blaming them for his team’s defeats, particularly the referees. He is also not a stranger to conspiracy theories making up stories about plots and other rhetorics.
Ghalenoei also had a short temper during his first stint with Team Melli. His antic at the touchline, his anger, and his constant protests led to his dismissal in a group match. Hopefully, with advancing age, it is hoped that he has mellowed down a bit.
Overall, this Coach is capable of leading and winning with notable man-management skills. He handles his players well and can influence them positively. Although the federation was hinting at the appointment of a domestic coach, there were fears amongst the fans as the majority preferred foreign coaches. With the appointment of Ghalenoei, it is hoped that many would change that view.
Alas, people should not forget that financial constraints were the main reason for selecting a domestic coach.
Amir Galenoei will be leading Team Melli against Russia on the 23rd of March and then Iraq in the next two friendly games.

Yet another failure for Iran Javanan team. Iran U20 out of the competition.

Iran’s Javanan team (U20) lost to Iraq 1-0 in the quarter-final game of the AFC Asian U20 Cup 2023 in Uzbekistan. The team also lost the chance to qualify for the FIFA World Cup U20 to be held in Indonesia later this year.

In a scruffy match that had no resemblance to modern football but much more like street football, both teams pulled back and did not attempt to attack the opposition. The first half did not register a single shot on target by both teams.

The fear of conceding and losing dominated the mentality of both teams in the second half too, with the match suffering from this poor attitude. It was clear that both teams were content with playing out a goalless draw to try their luck in a penalty shootout. The lethargic match was dragging on and being an eye sore for the few fans in the stadium but was temporarily set alive in the 71st minute when Iraq’s keeper saved beautifully from a fine free-kick by Iran’s forward Hosseinzadeh. That was the first and only shot on target registered by the Iranians during the whole match.

In the dying minutes, a shambolic and totally embarrassing Iranian defense was easily penetrated by the Iraqi forward, Sajjad who shot hurriedly toward the goal, while three Iran defenders surrounded him. His shot was towards the far corner of Iran keeper Zarei who stood watching the ball roll past him into the net!! Serious failure of defense has been witnessed many times in this tournament.

It was all that Iraq needed and the sudden last-minute highly emotional Iranian awakening came to nothing as the Iraqis held firm and celebrated wildly after the referee’s whistle for qualifying for the finals of the FIFA U20 World Cup.

The less said about the match, the better as it was only an ugly, amateurish performance by both teams which was a bad advert for Asian youth football.

Despite all the handicaps that the Iranian team had way before the tournament started, Samad Marfavi is guilty of a lack of courage and tactical enterprise. Technically speaking, there was very little expected from Marfavi, a modest also-ran coach whose achievements in his coaching career come to zero. However, he could have for at least one important game, changed the mentality of his team, and encouraged them to be winners. His lack of courage, his ineffective coaching, his failure to identify gaps in the team, and his lack of influence were all factors in this defeat. Yes, without a doubt, a more qualified and competent coach would have made a change in this team that is no short of individual skills.

 Not that Iraq is any better than Iran nor is it a formidable team, however, they were better coached and managed defensively under their head coach Emad Mohammad knowing, a man who is very well familiar with Iranian football and its weaknesses.  The ex-Sepahan Esfahan player was victorious despite the lackluster performance in this match and that is what counts.

After 47 years of failures, Iran Javan has to wait another two years for another shot for the title. Frankly, under such a federation management, a group of modest below-par domestic coaches, and a lack of international exposure, it will be hardly unlikely that Iran U20 will do anything better soon.

No doubt, Samad Marfavi, will have a bag full of excuses and justifications while cursing that good old luck, however, he is better off practicing his trade at the lower-division teams in Iran. Unfortunately, after many years in coaching, he has yet to taste success.

The prospects of Javanan Team (Iran U20) in AFC U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2023

The young Iranian football team Javanan, has qualified from the difficult group stage in AFC U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2023 to set a quarterfinal match against Iraq and a good chance to make it all the way to the final. Iran needs to beat Iraq on 11th March to qualify for the  2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Indonesia. The top four teams of the tournament will qualify for FIFA Championship besides Indonesia who automatically qualified as hosts. Saudi Arabia is the title holder, having won the title in 2018.

The U20 team was formed with the usually chaotic and disorganized methods of FFIRI. There were many obstacles most of which are repetitious and have not been solved for long years. The worst scenario is when major clubs refuse to release players to the Uwo national team, or if they reluctantly agree, they make life hell for the selected player and the U20 coaching staff in the hope that the coaches will get tired from bargaining and drop the player from the squad!

Like Team Melli, the Javanan team was at the peak of Asian Football in the 70s. Iran’s youth won four titles in a row in 1973,74,75 and 1976. Such a feat has never been repeated again, and 1976 was the last time Iran tasted success.

This U20 team is no different from the rest since the revolution, hastily gathered, and struggling on and off the field, with a lack of a long-term program like the one other federations set up.

As for the coach Samad Marfavi, he has changed jobs 15 times since he retired from active football to become a coach. Like many ex-footballers in Iran who turned to coaching, his qualification and training to be a coach were to the absolute minimum and not up to international standards. He would be excused if the team does not do well, however, it will be a good exposure for him that might change his own chances to develop.

The three group matches starting with a narrow win against Qatar 1-0, a loss to Australia 2-3, and a win against Vietnam 3-1 ensured Iran’s qualification. From the technical point of view, there was nothing new that the observers took from the 3 matches. Strong and at times exceptional individual skills versus poor teamwork, poor defense, and the chronic Achilles heel of Iran’s football, the slow pace and reaction of the players. It has become a cliche amongst the commentators to label Iranian teams as slow. It is a fact that even the most ardent fan cannot deny, but such tactics and mindset have to start much earlier than the Javanan. This is where grassroots football must improve and coaches who are qualified, skillful, and competent are assigned to the grass root teams to teach the new generations the fundamentals of modern football.

However, that is not to say that Samad Marfavi cannot improve the team as there are many aspects that can and should be improved. Transitions and counterattack moves are two tactics that must be improved. The Wastefulness and profligacy of some players should be addressed too by the head coach. There are one or two players who frankly do not belong to the team. Mental agility and strength, another shortfall of Iranian footballers in general is. Marfavi needs to work on that.

Saying that the U20 team showed some delightful touches and individual skills in Fergana to endear themselves to the Uzbeck crowds. Individual talents and physical attributes remain the strong points of this team

As of now, it is might be wishful thinking to claim the title after 47 years, however,  the hope is always on one or two brilliant young players to use their individual skills and artistry to lead Iran to a win and the AFC Asian Cup U20.

Top 5 individual performances

Mohammad Amin Hazbavi
Saeed Saharkhizan  در فضای مجازی تصویر اشتباهی از الهامی ارائه می‌‎دهند/ امیدوارم جواب اعتماد مرفاوی را بدهم
Milad Kor
Adib Zarei
Erfan Ghorbani

 

NFDF Futsal Championship 2023: Iran lifts the title.

Iran national Futsal Team lifted the title of NFDF Futsal Championship Pattaya Thailand 2023 after comfortably beating current Asian Champions 4-1 in the final held on Tuesday at the resort town of Pattaya.

Nakamura (own goal – 32), Hossein Tayyebi (33), and Saeed Ahmad Abbasi (36 and 39) scored for Iran in the final. The Japanese had pipped iRan in the Asian Cup in Kuwait, so that was sweet revenge for Team Melli’s futsal team.

In the earlier matches, Iran defeated Saudi Arabia and Egypt in the group stage and also beat host Thailand in the semi-final stage. After the conclusion of the tournament, a look at the world rankings of national futsal teams shows that Iran’s position has not changed.

Iran U20 qualifies for the quarter-finals in AFC U20 Asian Cup

Fergana -the-afc.com:
Abdolsamad Marfavi praised  Iran’s unwavering mindset after his side advanced to the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2023 quarter-finals following a 3-1 win over Vietnam on Tuesday.
Vietnam’s Khuat Van Khang canceled out Mohammad Hazbavi’s first-half opener but goals from Saeid Saharkhizan and Mohammad Hosseinnezhad sealed Iran the win and top spot in Group B.
Iran came into the tie needing to bounce back from their 2-1 defeat to Australia on Matchday Two and Marfavi admitted that his side had to endure a very challenging match against their Southeast Asian opponents.

#AFCU20 – Group B| Vietnam (VIE) 1 – 3  Iran (IRN)

“The game against Vietnam was challenging, especially as we also had to face tough opponents like Qatar and Australia,” said Marfavi. “Vietnam were not only tactically good but were also mentally strong.
“However, we knew that we needed to secure three points, and with our team being well-balanced in both offence and defence, we were able to achieve it.”
Throughout the contest at the Istiqlol Stadium, Iran looked the much likelier to score with Marfavi praising his players for being mentally strong in overcoming Vietnam’s counter-attacking threat.
“Our progress in the tournament hinged on securing a victory, as a draw would result in our elimination. We adapted our tactics accordingly even though we were outclassed physically and in individual skill throughout the game. Our resolute mindset enabled us to clinch the triumph.”
Head coach Hoang Anh Tuan was gracious in defeat after seeing his Vietnam side suffer their first defeat in the tournament, which subsequently ended their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals.
“We must look to the future,” said Hoang. “We did our best but our best wasn’t enough to secure a place in the quarter-finals. Looking ahead, there are many players in the squad who can transition into the senior team.”
“Defender Le Nguyen Hoang, goalkeeper Cao Van Bình, midfielders Nguyen Van Truong and Khuat Van Khang are some of the players who had an exceptional tournament.
“Not forgetting the fans, I want to apologize to all of them as we couldn’t meet their expectations. Congratulations to Iran, who took our place in the last eight.”