The final list of players selected by Carlos Queiroz for taking part in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 has been announced. The list contain 23 players as permitted by the AFC rules.
The new additions were Payam Niazmand , the Sepahan Goalkeeper and Ahmad Noorallahei Persepolis midfield player.
Ezatollahei is the most significant absentee because he is deemed not fit enough and lacking match practise for a competition the size of the Asian Cup. two of the most disappointed players were Ali Karimi and Ali Alipour both of who were confident of making the list.
Overall, the list looks well-balanced with a good mixture of youth and experienced. Queiroz will be missing the quality of Ezatollahei in the holding midfield role , with no obvious replacement although it looks that Roozbeh Chesmi might fill that role in the UAE.
There were many questions in the past, particularly in the FIFA World Cup 2018, on the lack of a pivotal role for Saman Ghoddos by Queiroz. The Aimes player with unquestioned quality can be a winner, if he is giver a broader role and playing time rather than being a peripheral. Ghoddos is a much better option than the aging Shojaei and inconsistent Dejagah, both of whom play a similar post to Saman Ghoddos
It is hoped that this time round, the Portuguese head coach understands the value of a quality player such as Saman in the team and utilizes him.
The defense looks sound and sharp with the full recovery of Pouraliganji while the valuable experience of Pejman Montazeri will be crucial in this competition despite lack of pace.
The riches of the players up front in the shape of Azmoun, Ansarifard, Jahanbakhsh and Taremi looks brilliant on paper, however, the former 3 players in European leagues, and the latter in Qatar have been performing poorly and there is a fear that their leagues below par forms might affect them in the Asian Cup too. A lot is expected from the front line players, it remains to be seen if they will click in the UAE and against the other giants of Asia.
THE SQUAD
