Category: World Cup 2014

Corinthians Club adapts its training facility for Team Melli

DIEGO IWATA LIMA
FROM SÂO PAULO

Corinthians training centre (TC) was adjusted to accommodate the Iranian national team.

A tap beer machine placed in the common area was covered to comply with the delegation’s requirements. Alcohol is forbidden in the country.

Curiously, the images of catholic saints inside the main dressing room allocated for the Iranian team were not removed.

The Christian chapel inside the TC, where a cross lies over the altar was not touched.

The visiting room was turned into a prayer room and a Persian rug was put on the floor.

Last Wednesday, the Iranian squad trained for the first time at the Corinthians training centre (TC), East Zone of Sao Paulo. The venue will be their headquarters in Brazil during the World Cup.

 

The security set to protect the delegation is tighter than what is usually seen there. At the main entrance, there is a police car and a temporary police kiosk. In total, there were six police men.

Other three stood at the press room entrance. There, three soldiers from the army, with rifles were securing the place. Other four armed police men walked inside the TC. Ten agents from the Federal Police, some armed, stayed there.

GREEN

The players led by the Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz entered the pitch at approximately 4:40pm, wearing a green uniform, a forbidden color inside the Corinthians TC, due to its association with its rival Palmeiras.

At Itaquerão, for example, Corinthians changed the window glasses in 2013 only because they were greenish.

Alongside Queiroz, Edu, Corinthians’s football manager also walked the pitch. He will help the Portuguese coach during the tournament after gaining the club’s permission.

The physiotherapist Bruno Mazziotti, also from Corinthians, worked with the midfielder Hashem Beikzadeh, one of the team’s main players, who recovers from an injury.

 

Match preview : Iran vs. Trinidad & Tobago

Goal.com

After successive goalless draws against Belarus and Montenegro, and a chaotic build-up off the field, the Asian country are in dire need of a victory before they face Nigeria

Iran coach Carlos Queiroz is under no illusions as to how important their final World Cup friendly against Trinidad and Tobago will be.

The Portuguese will lead the Asian country into their first World Cup since 2006 when they take on Nigeria in Group F on June 16.

If they have been unconvincing in their on-pitch build-up, their off-field goings-on have been chaotic, with assistant coach Majid Salih leaving his post following their training camp in Austria.

Goalless draws with Belarus and Montenegro have done little to foster optimism among Iran fans of springing a surprise in Brazil.

However, the former Portugal and South Africa coach claims they are in good shape going into their opener against Nigeria.

Following that clash, billed by Queiroz as a “final”, Iran face Argentina and Bosnia-Herzegovina, with their coach stating Saturday’s friendly will provide a welcome test.

“It was a good camp and our players showed their commitment. I believe that the Iranian fans have to be proud of their players,” he told the Tasnim News Agency.

“We will play Trinidad and Tobago to prepare ourselves for the Nigeria match. The Nigeria match is a final for us.”

Iran’s World Cup campaign could be Queiroz’s final stint in charge of the national side with a renewal of his contract yet to be agreed. However, he recently declined to comment on his own personal circumstances – instead preferring to keep the focus on his side’s preparations. “I think it’s not time to talk about that,” he added.

“In the past 10 months, nobody talked to me about my contract extension. It’s not time for hypocritical behavior and we have to focus on our preparation.”

Trinidad and Tobago will likely have to produce something extra special to deny Iran a first victory of their World Cup preparations.

They have not played a competitive game since the Gold Cup defeat to Mexico in June last year and were beaten 3-0 by Argentina on Wednesday.

If Iran too can rack up a few goals against the Caribbean nation, as group rivals Argentina did in midweek, it would set them up nicely for their opener against Nigeria.

With Queiroz’s men likely to battle with Nigeria and Bosnia-Herzegovina for second place in Group F, a solid start in Brazil could prove vital in their progression.

Editor’s Blog : World Media outlook on Team Melli.

Scouring the web looking for interesting articles about the greatest football show on earth, and mainly looking at the World’s prestigious media for reviews on Group ‘F’ which Includes Argentina, Nigeria, Bosnia-Herzegovina in addition to Team Melli, it is surprising how some reporters have superficial and sometime no knowledge of Iran’s football while writing reviewing the prospects of Group ‘F’ teams. Obviously analyzing Argentina is a no brainer. As one of the candidates to lift the FIFA World Cup 2014 and a star-studded team that includes the best player in the world, the exposure and information is so readily available in all forms of media, making the job of analysis that easy.

Information on Bosnia-Herzegovina as a European team with some star players like Edin Dzeko , is also easily available in the press and the web. To lesser extent is Nigeria, although good dossiers of their European based players are available for reviews and analysis and used extensively.

It is not the same with Iran. Much of the analysis is focused around the few European based players particularly Ashkan Dejagah. Alireza Jahanbakhsh is the other player who has received a good, and one must say, deserved exposure lately. Others like Nekounam and Shojae have been mentioned but the information about them refers to their days in Osasuna and somehow ancient. Football team is more just a handful of players, and analysis of a team based on a few of them falls short of being accurate and reliable. Hence, most of the analysis around the web and other media, gives Iran very little chance of success based on their inadequate knowledge of Team Melli. That is ambiguous for the World Cup fans, but perhaps it could work well for the team being the weak outsider. However, it is doubtful that the coaches of Iran’s opponents in Group ‘f’ are as shallow and ill-informed about the capabilities, strength and weaknesses of Team Melli as some of the reviewers around the net.

On the other hand, and from personal experience, the truly knowledgeable journalist and reporters whom one can depend on their analysis and reviews about Iran’s football, are the foreign reporters who reside or based in the Middle East. This group’s work is meticulous, thorough and one can really observe that the analysis has been researched properly.

For what is worth, we like to remind all, that Ashkan Dejagah and Reza Ghoochannejad were born in Iran and both speak Farsi.

Gucci-&-Ashkan

Jahanbaksh named amongst the young players to watch

Young Players to set the 2014 World Cup alight from Group F

Last Updated:
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World Cup 2014, Group F
Here is a look at one young player from each of the four Group F teams most likely to make an impact for their respective countries at the World Cup

Argentina

Marcos Rojo

Rojo

Age

24

Club

Sporting Lisbon

Position

Defender

Int. Caps

21

Int. Goals

0

 

In an experienced Argentina side, Marcos Rojo is one of the younger and probably one of the most important players in the Albiceleste squad. The 24-year-old will be playing in the left-back position for Argentina at the World Cup and has emerged as an integral part for Alejandro Sabella’s side.

While his defensive qualities have been put into question at times, Rojo is a great threat going forward and will surely prove to be a useful outlet in the final third of the pitch for the South Americans.

 

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Sead Kolašinac

Saed Kolasnic1

Age

20

Club

Schalke

Position

Defender

Int. Caps

4

Int. Goals

0

 

Sead Kolašinac has enjoyed a breakthrough season with Schalke this year. The young man established himself as an integral part of the German side and impressed many with his mature performance at the back.

A versatile player who is primarily used as a left-back, Kolašinac switched allegiance to Bosnia & Herzegovina after representing Germany at youth level and looks set to play a big part in the country’s debut World Cup campaign in Brazil.

 

Iran

Alireza Jahanbakhsh

Alirejza

Age

20

Club

NEC Nijmegen

Position

Midfielder

Int. Caps

6

Int. Goals

1

 

Alireza Jahanbakhsh is probably the most exciting young player to emerge from Iran recently. The 20-year old plies his trade in Netherlands for NEC Nijmegen and managed to impress with some fine performances for the Dutch side over the course of the campaign.

A tricky winger with a knack of scoring goals, Jahanbakhsh adds a bit of flair to a solid Iran side. While Ashkan Degajah and Javad Nekounam will most probably be preferred to Jahanbakhsh in the starting lineup at the World Cup, one cannot rule out the young man making an impact in the competition whenever afforded the opportunity.

 

Nigeria

Ogenyi Onazi

Onazi

Age

20

Club

Lazio

Position

Midfielder

Int. Caps

20

Int. Goals

1

 

Ogenyi Onazi’s meteoric rise to prominence has been phenomenal. Having picked up by Italian giants from a church-sponsored team in Lagos called My People two years ago, Onazi has gone on to become one of the finest young midfielders plying their trade in Europe.

The 20-year old has also established himself as a regular in the Nigerian national team and helped the Super Eagles to the African Cup of Nations triumph in 2013.

A tough tackling midfielder, Onazi possesses a brilliant temperament and he will surely be looking to impress at the World Cup by taming the dangerous Argentina and Bosnia attack.

Written by: Sarad Shrestha

FIFA World Cup 2014 Group ‘F’ News

Argentina

Argentina have risked punishment from Fifa after displaying a banner translating as “The Falklands are Argentine” before their friendly with Slovenia last night.

The Argentine Government still maintains the South American country has a legitimate claim to the islands, which Britain and Argentina went to war over in 1982.

The overtly political gesture by Argentina’s football team before their 2-0 win over Slovenia in La Plata could lead to sanctions from Fifa – and risks reigniting the dispute between Argentina and Britain over the islands on the eve of the World Cup.

Two hundred and fifty five British servicemen died during the Falklands conflict, which was sparked by Argentina invading the islands in the South Atlantic.

Why the players decided to display the banner now is unclear, but support for reclaiming Las Malvinas (as the islands are known in Argentina) is believed to still have strong public support.

Argentina are one of the favorites to lift the World Cup, as their side boasts a host of world class attacking talent, including superstar forward Lionel Messi.

Nigeria

Nigeria defender Elderson Echiejile will miss the World Cup because of a muscle injury.

The 26-year-old Monaco player limped out of Nigeria’s 0-0 friendly draw against Greece in Philadelphia on Tuesday shortly before half-time.

Echiejile underwent a scan where the injury was diagnosed as a muscle tear, which is expected to keep him out for up to three weeks.

He will be replaced in the squad by Enugu Rangers winger Ejike Uzoenyi.

Coach Stephen Keshi said: “Doctors have said Echiejile will need up to three weeks to recover from the muscle tear but we don’t have that type of time to play with so we’ve taken the decision to replace him.”

Nigeria face Iran, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Argentina in Group F, beginning their campaign against Iran in Curitiba on 16 June

 

 

Iran

Team Melli players expressed their delight by the Volleyball victory over Brazil yesterday in the 2014 World League. Both the Iran’s national volleyball and football teams are in Sao Paulo competing at the highest level of their sports.

Karim Ansarifard , Team Melli striker, in a short interview talking through an interpreter said “I was so excited to hear the news that the Volleyball team won the match in such a result. I know most of the volleyball team members and we are friends., this news really gives me the utmost pleasure. Rest assured that the 3-0 win againt the powerful Brazilians has already motivated us to perform as good as them in the FIFA World Cup.”

The fact that Ansarifard said that he heard the news , means that the player did not watch the match live on TV and certainly did not attend the match.

On the other hand , Brazil National Football team , who are in Sao Paulo , was supposed to attend the match against Iran to provide moral support, however security concerns prevented Seleção Brasileira from going to Sao Paulo’s Ibirapuera Gymnasium.

 

Grand victory by Iran’s volleyball should inspire Team Melli in World Cup.

FIVB World League 2014

Brazil 0-3 Iran

 

Iran Volleyball team defeated Brazil 3-0 in Sao  Paulo ,Brazil to record the greatest ever team sport victory by any Iranian team in any sport. They don’t come bigger than Brazil in Volleyball. The host of the FIFA World Cup  2014 has an immaculate record in Volleyball , winners of 9 World League titles, 2 times winners  of Olympic Games gold medals, 3 times World Champions , 2 times World Cup winners and 4 times World Grand Prix champions. Like their compatriots the football players, they are a championship pedigree team and have produced quality players that have managed to play and excel in the best leagues of the World.

Such a historic win comes at a perfect time and place for Iran’s football Team Melli with the world cup 2014 only days away. A historic victory like this one by Iran’s volleyball team in the most important and highest profile World Volleyball competition will surely provided a huge boost for the footballers and make them believe that even the best teams in the world can be beaten.

There will be intriguing similarities in this volleyball match to the one that Team Melli will face against Argentina on 21st June 2014. It is similar encounter to the David and Goliath match with the Iranian volleyball players who faced Brazil and against all the odds, beat them comprehensively.

The willpower, the pride, the team spirit , the motivation , the skills , the harmony , the grace that these players have displayed shall be an inspiration and a boost for our football players.

21st of June is also a blessed date for Iran. In this date in year 1998 , Iran has recorded its only victory in the FIFA World cup against USA.

Let us hope that the victory by the Volleyball players inspires the football players to excel against their mighty opponents.

 

Farhad Ghaemi celebrate victory against Brazil

 

Seyed Mohammad Mousavi celebrates a poit scored

FFIRI denies Queiroz has banned his players from cheering the Volleyball team.

The closer we get to the World Cup kick off , the more rumors and controversial issues pop up in Iran relating to Team Melli and Queiroz

News that Carlos Queiroz has banned his players from attending or watching Iran’s National volleyball team , has prompted the FFIRI to issue a strong denial and accuse the unknown journalist of fabrication the story. Iran’s National volleyball team is currently in Sao Paulo , the same city that Team Melli is carrying out its training in. Iran’s volleyball team is meeting the powerful Brazil team on Friday and Saturday in the FIVB World League 2014.  The matches start 09:50 local time.

While many in Iran hoped that Team Melli will be available in the arena and attend the match  to provide moral support, they were disappointed by the absence of the footballers. The Queiroz ban story could have originated from someone in that group, who saw no reason for Football Team Melli not attending Volleyball match. Iran lost the first match by the smallest of margins 3-2, the last decider set was won by Brazil 15-13 while Iran was ahead 13-11 moments earlier. It was that close.

To justify the reason why Footballers could not attend the match , FFIRI published a few photo showing that the players were busy having lunch around 09:50 in the morning  while watching the volleyball match between Brazil and Iran on TV!!

It was a pity Queiroz and his players did not attend that volleyball match , they could have picked a few good points from the Iranian and Brazilian teams in that match. It was a brilliant encounter of the highest level..

Team Melli is currently setting camp in the Corinthians Training center in Sao Paulo. The team schedule is split into two parts, morning sessions consisting mostly of physical training and the evening sessions which are spent on the football pitch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Team Melli begins training in Brazil

Team Melli squad hit the gym as it started the last phase of to its tough training regime in Sao Paulo Brazil.

After completion of several formalities in the morning, in which the team was also given a briefing by FIFA representatives and local organizing committee covering the events and rules applicable to the tournament, the squad left to the Corinthians training complex under strict security from the Brazilian authorities. Fears of disruptions and protest by many Brazilian citizens who object to the huge amount of funds spend to host the World Cup has increased the alertness of the police with security forces leaving nothing to chance. Team Melli was escorted by the police from the hotel to the training ground and back.

 

The squad hit the gym early on for physical training before moving to the football pitch.

During the training Queiroz received many requests for interviews and statements , which he eventually provided to the local newspapers and TV stations.

 

Team Melli will be meeting Trinidad & Tobago on the 8th June behind closed-door , for the final preparation match before the match against Nigeria. Argentine beat Trinidad & Tobago 3-0 last night with goals from R. Palacio 45’+1 (assist by Á. di María) , J. Mascherano 51′ (assist by Messi) and Maxi Rodríguez 64′ (assist by R. Palacio)

 

Davari & Dejagah at the Gym

 

Dejagah , Teymourian and Ale Nemeh doing push ups
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Looking deeper at Iran chances.

Now that it is safe to assume that Team  Melli players WILL exchange shirts with the rivals after each match in the World Cup, we can look relax and think of more important issues like what are Iran chances in Group F.

There is no denying what is the fans expectations are.  We have arranged several polls here at TeamMelli.com and have come to an early conclusion that the majority of the fans across the globe expect Team Melli to succeed. The majority wants and expects Team Melli to qualify to the next round ahead of Nigeria and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Is that a realistic expectation or just one of those wishful thinking bits that passionate football fans always dream of beyond but it is beyond the capabilities of their beloved teams.?

If you are looking for a quick answer , we do not have one, but if you are patient enough to read our outlook , then please do so and then come up with your own conclusion versus ours.

DejagahAThese days, friendly or practice matches prior to the World Cup is dime a dozen. There are lots of them as each team is examining the strength and the weaknesses of their line up or try to sort out the tactical plans or maybe to put the final touches. The giants like Spain, Germany, France, England and Brazil have been toying with weaker opponents and having a ball. Out of all of those friendly matches, none was more dignifying,   encouraging, and inspiring than the Germany vs. Cameroon match. No need to go into the historical background of the two teams for level comparisons, all one can say is the Germany at home should have easily dispensed of their less glamorous African opponents with ease. They did not and one reason for that is the motivation of Cameroon players and coaches , their willpower and their courage. Something that Queiroz and his men must take a note of.

Cameroon , did not park the bus in Mönchengladbach, they dared to attack and attack they did. They were rewarded and scored the first goal. Germany hit back and scored the equalizer then the second goal , both brilliantly taken. The locals were waiting for the third to cap good day work for Germany , but once again Cameroon dared to attack the Germans at their home and managed to score a beautiful well-earned equalizer. It ended all square 2-2 in Germany.

We have not seen Queiroz being bold enough or daring in any of his matches, and expecting him to change his mentality overnight is wishing for a miracle. The man is conservative by style and that is his right as there is a lot at stake at this level of football.

NekounamJWhat  though , if the boys are given a bit more freedom to go attack, Teymourian , Nekounam and Dejagah daring to attack and taking the battle into the enemy premises. What if Pooladi or Beikzadeh on the left and Heydari on the right feed the box with accurate crosses for our forwards and midfield player to take a chance or two?

It is a question of desire rather than ability. In Dejagah , Team Melli has a winner in every sense. Both strikers have some beautiful touches and finishes. They have both proven their qualities. And then we have a gem of young player Jahanbakhsh who is rearing to go , if he is given a chance or two, He is not short of courage , running and willpower.  We sure do have the tools and the resources, what is needed is the will ,  the desire and some bravery. Cameroons of this world do not score by parking the bus. They dare to attack and they reap the reward.

Saying all that, we do not advocate chaotic offensive game plan as the defense is very vital. Unless we do attack , take the time to organize the players forward, we will not be able to win matches.

Apart from Argentina, which incidentally is not known for its World Class defending, the other two teams are not superior to Iran. Sometimes, strong desires and mentality can overcome tactics and skills and wins you matches.

Our conclusion is if Queiroz opens up and employs some of his weapons, Team Melli can surprise a few people and possibly qualify. Deploying defensive strategy is more difficult to see the team making it to the next round.  Fortunately, team Melli has been pretty impressive in quick counter attacks, which has won them at least three matches in the Qualifiers. Whether such strategy will work at this much higher level , is something that has to be seen

 Croatia and Iran squad arrived Brazil for the World Cup 

After Australia, the first of the 31 teams to land in Brazilian territory for the 2014 FIFA World Cup last week, Croatia and Iran arrived in the country on Tuesday, 3 June.

Brazil’s rival in the opening match on 12 June at the Arena de Sao Paulo, the Croatian national team arrived at the Salvador International Airport at 4:15pm (local time). From there, the delegation went straight to the Team Base Camp in Praia do Forte, Mata de Sao Joao, in the metropolitan region of Salvador .
Queiroz presented with Brazil flag by the Mayor
In addition to the hosts in Group A, Croatia will face Mexico and Cameroon in the group stage.
Iran arrived in Brazil shortly before the Croatians, landing at the Sao Paulo International Airport at 4:10pm (local time). The Iranians, who start the campaign in the FIFA World Cup against Nigeria on 16 June in Curitiba, also face Argentina (21 June) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (25 June), and will prepare for the group stage matches at the Corinthians Training Centre in Sao Paulo.

Upon arrival in Sao Paulo, coach Carlos Queiroz said that Iran will do everything possible to have a successful campaign in the FIFA World Cup.

“As we came from the other side of the world we arrived earlier to start our preparation. We have earned the right to play against the best and now it’s time to do it. We have 90 minutes in each game and we will use them the best possible way”, Queiroz said.

Team Melli disembarking
The squad
Queiroz before departure from Tehran