Team Melli preparations and brief.

Team Melli Manager says that according to the coaching staff, 10 players present in the current camp are selected to continue attending the final phase together with the legionnaires. They form the final list of the Team Melli squad.

The first phase of the national team training camp was concluded with the presence of 22 domestic league players. The coaching staff shortlisted 10 players for the final list for the games against Syria and Iraq. Mojtaba Khorshidi, the national football team Manager, announced the list of selected players on the website of the Football Federation

Saleh Hardani, Siavash Yazdani, Omid Nourafkan, Milad Sarlak, Yasin Salmani, Mehdi Torabi, Mohammad Karimi, Zubair Niknafs, Aref Aghasi, and Vahid Amiri

Khorshidi also mentioned an important point about the 12 players whose names are not in the final list and added: “The absence of these players in the final list is not due to their poor quality or poor performance in training. Mr. Skocic emphasized that not being in the final list should not disappoint these players and their performance will always be considered by the head coach and the technical staff of the national team, they will definitely have a chance to be in the national team in the future.”

 Mojtaba Khorshidi also confirmed the absence of four injured players in the final list: Ehsan Haj Safi, Morteza Pouraliganji, Seyed Majid Hosseini and Ali Karimi are the four players whose names were to be included in the final list of the national team. Their injuries rendered them unavailable.

After the weekend games in Europe, it is expected that most legionnaires in the squad will be arriving in Tehran within a day or two.

It is interesting to note that Dragan Skocic was in quarantine after he was tested positively for COVID19. His assistants carried on training with the squad and the list is prepared after consultation with all stakeholders. In addition to head coach Skocic, his Iranian assistant Vahid Hashemian, who also tested positive, was absent from training.

Both the Team Melli forwards, Sardar Azmoun (Zenit) and Mehdi Taremi (Porto) were on the scoring sheet with their respective teams while Saman Ghoddos whose appearance remains in doubt was one of the better players in the EPL match between Brentford and Aston Villa.

Team Melli might be without Saman Ghoddos!

Saman Ghoddos may not be able to accompany Team Melli for the upcoming two matches of World Cup qualifiers due to the recent changes announced by the English Football League.

The Team Melli camp begins with a group of domestic league players and in few days, the legionnaires will arrive in Tehran to join for the match against Syria. Among the about 20 legionnaires invited to the national team, Saman Ghoddos may not be able to accompany the team against Syria and Iraq due to Iran’s health regulations associated with covid19 and the new English Premier League restrictions on players.

The Premier League said in a statement yesterday: “The Premier League clubs today, despite their reluctance, unanimously decided not to allow players to travel to countries on the red list. The decision of these clubs is supported by the Premier League. And about 60 players from the 19 Premier League clubs who are set to travel to 26 countries on the red list for the September national games will be negotiated with the Football Association and the government to find a solution. But due to concerns, there is no exemption for travelers from entering the Red List countries.”

As a result of this new restriction, Liverpool was the first EPL Club that has not allowed the departure of several of its national team players, including Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Fabinho, Alison Becker, because Egypt and Brazil are on the Red List.

Considering the Covid19 situation in Iran and the daily cases exceeding 40,000 people infected with death figures of 700 patients in recent times, it seems that the restriction will apply to Brentford Midfielder, Saman Ghoddos.

If that is the case, Skocic will be without the services of one of the best legionnaires.  Ghoddos is the only Iranian player to play in four major leagues in the world. In the last Team Melli games in Bahrain, Ghoddos showed his excellent technical qualities and sharp eyes for creating scoring chances for his forwards. with defense-splitting passes.  Apparently, it seems Skocic will be deprived of this player’s qualities.

Skocic had previously lost Morteza PouraliGanji and Aref Gholami due to a cruciate ligament rupture, and Ehsan Hajsefi’s injury sparked speculation about the possible absence of the national team captain. It remains to be seen where the Football Federation’s consultations will go in the coming days, and if Ghoddos is not invited to the squad, it has certainly been imposed on players due to Premier League restrictions. Ghoddos recently had the opportunity to play for his club in the second week of EPL, and last night he played 90 minutes for Brentford in the Carabao Cup, in which he was his team’s best player Bretford winning 3-1.

22 Domestic League players invited to Team Melli camp.

Dragan Skocic announced the list of 22 players playing in the domestic League to attend the national team camp.

The 22 players will be in Team Melli’s mini-camp for five days to August 30th. With the announcement of the final list of the team for the games against Syria and Iraq in FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Qualifiers, most of the players on this list will be eliminated. Seven players from Esteghlal, five players from Persepolis, and Sepahan, three players from Gol Gohar, one player from Traktorsazi and  Foolad are forming the squad invited, which will realistically probably end up with not more than three of the original squad.

Zubair Niknafs, Mohammad Karimi, Mehdi Abdi, Saleh Hardani, Mohammad Hossein Moradmand, Ahmad Zandeh Rouh, Yasin Salmani are the players who will participate in the national team camp for the first time.

Individuals such as Arsalan Motahari, Shahriyar Moghanloo, Farshid Ismaili, Saeed Aghaei, Seyed Hossein Hosseini, Farshad Ahmadzadeh, Siavash Yazdani, had been invited to the national team for one or two camps in recent years. Also, one of the interesting points in this list is the return of Seyed Hossein Hosseini, who has replaced Rashid Mazaheri. Hosseini had a steady presence in the national camps for a while, but with a relative performance decline in the 19th and early 20th leagues, he was completely eliminated from the national team, but now he has taken the place of his rival in Esteghlal.

Esteghlal: (7) Hossein Hosseini, Aref Aghasi, Mohammad Hossein Moradmand, Farshid Ismaili, Amir Arsalan Motahhari, Zubair Nikonfas and Siavash Yazdani

Persepolis: (5) Saeed Aghaei, Vahid Amiri, Mehdi Torabi, Mehdi Abdi, and Milad Sarlak.

Sepahan Esfahan: (5) Omid Nourafkan, Yasin Salmani, Shahriyar Moghanloo,, Farshad Ahmadzadeh and Mohammad Karimi

Golgohar Sirjan: (3) Mehdi Tikdari, Armin Sohrabian, Ahmad Zenderooh.

TractorSazi: (1) Mohammad Reza Akhbari

Foolad Khuzestan: (1) Saleh Hardani

Azadi is confirmed as the venue for the Syria game, without the fans!

After several years of struggles and follow-ups, Tehran is finally confirmed as the host of Iran’s home matches in the FIFA World Cup 2022  Qatar in the qualifying round.

Shahabuddin Azizi Khadem, said about the plans of the national football team: “an important event just happened after years as we finally gained our right to host the first game against Syria in Tehran, which can help Team Melli a lot.”

Azizi Khadem, then went on to brief the reporters about the preparation plans for the game He added: “With intensive and scientific planning in the new management of the federation and the official support that we have realized, it is now possible for our fans to watch their national team in a competitive match. A lot of effort has been made in this regard. I would also like to thank the Radio and Television Organization for its excellent cooperation with us in this regard. We have set up a special staff to prepare for the World Cup, and Mr. Foroughi is present on behalf of the IRIB. We hope that other government officials will be added to the committee in our headquarters. Football is the manifestation of our national unity.”

The president of the federation said ” all the work of the issue of visa to attend for the Syrian delegation has been carried out and handed over to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Syrian team will arrive on Monday, August 28th. Observers and the refereeing team will also travel to Tehran. Everything is well planned and we are all ready for the game in Azadi against Syria.”

Azizi Khadem then carried on praising the effort of his management is arranging the match in Azadi, suggesting that many countries have been deprived of hosting due to Covid19.

Regarding fans’ attendance, Azizi Khadem stated regarding the presence of spectators in the matches hosted by Iran: in consultation with AFC, which has its own restrictions,  in order to comply with the regulations and satisfy the public opinion, it is unlikely that the fans will be allowed.

“After that, we have to travel to Doha, and the third game is in the UAE and the fourth game is here against South Korea, we will probably be able to allow those who were vaccinated with a special card to gain entry. “

The president of the FFIRI substituted the fans who are customarily considered as the 12 players at home games, with the Head of IRIB!!!

He said: “The twelfth friend was the emphasis of the president of the Radio and Television Organization”

Aziz Khadem’s praise to the head of IRIB that has never paid a single dollar for TV broadcast rights and practically owes football tens of millions of dollars in back pay is a true sound of desperation in a country where the one and only broadcaster considers itself above the law.

This time, there was no other option. It was either IRIB pays for the broadcast to AFC and FIFA or Iran will not be granted any rights to play its home game in Tehran. It is not clear if FIFA is compensated by IRIB for illegally broadcasting official matches without paying the right.

Mohammad Mohebbi to Santa Clara

The flight of Iranian players to pastures new continues. This time, Sepahan and Team Melli midfielder Mohammad Mohebbi has joined the Portuguese first division team, Santa Clara in a swap deal. The Azores-based club has swapped their current Iranian asset, Shahriyar Moghanlo for Mohammad Mohebbi.

The Azores logo had already officially announced the deal, with the Iranian player, declaring that the two parties had agreed to a contract valid for the next three seasons, that is, until 2024.

Also, according to the statement issued by Santa Clara, the other Iranian involved in this deal, Shahryar Muganlo – the striker who, in the first half of last season, played in 13 matches for the island’s team, and scored a goal – will be transferred to the old Mohebbi team, Sepahan Esfahan. There does not seem to be any cash involved in this deal as it seems as a straight swap between the two clubs with Sepahan getting Moghanlo who was on loan to Persepolis last season.

Mohebbi is a versatile player who can fill the role of a forward upfront, midfield, or winger and such versatility will surely satisfy the Azurian coach. In the past two seasons, Mohebbiscored with Sepahan nine goals in 41 matches.

Upon his arrival in the Azores, Mohamed Mohebbi expressed his joy on the occasion of signing for the islanders. “I am very happy being here and looking forward to playing in a  European League. I will do my best to leave my mark on Santa Clara,” said the Iranian, in comments carried by communication channels in the Azores.

Recently Kanaanizadegan, Nourollahi, Ghaedi, Hajsafy, and Naderi have all left their Iranian clubs to play abroad.

Mehdi Ghaedi is heading to Dubai.

According to the Abu Dhabi Sports Network, Mehdi Ghaedi, Esteghlal, and Team Melli forward has signed with Shabab Al-Ahli club of Dubai.

While there is a lack of official and definite confirmation, it seems that Abu Dhabi Sports Network reported TV show “Al Share Al Riyadhi” which previously broke the news of Ahmad Nourollahi’s transfer, has come up with yet another exclusive this time with the breaking of the news of Ghaedi joining Shabab Al-Ahli.

Esteghlal CEO Ahmad Madadi had traveled to the UAE a few days ago for final negotiations with Shabab Al-Ahli officials, but some Emirati media outlets had reported that Esteghlal’s condition for selling Ghaedi was his availability for the Quarter Final match of AFC Champions League game against Al-Hilal, after which Ghadei will be released to Shabab Al-Ahli.

It is said that Esteghlal Club will receive more than $ 2 million by selling Ghaedi. Previously, Persepolis midfielder Ahmad Nourollahi had joined Shabab Al-Ahli.

Shabab Al-Ahli is one of the most successful clubs in the UAE and plays in  ADNOC Pro League. UAE’s premier division. In 2017, the Dubai CSC and Al Shabab merged within Al Ahli FC making Shabab Al Ahli FC. This club has a long track record of acquiring the services of Iranian players from the 70’s. Players such as Hassan Nazari, Hassan Rowshan, Ali Karimi, Javad Kazemian, Milad Meydavoudi, and Mehrzad Madanchi have played for Al-Ahli.

The club belongs to Shaikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Emirates of Dubai, and is practically run by his children.

Futsal National Team players invited for Training camp.

Iran’s National Futsal Team is setting a training camp with a list of players invited.

the names of the players invited to the camp are as follows:

Salar Aghapour, Alireza Samimi, Farhad Fakhim, Hamid Ahmadi, Hamzeh Kadkhodaei 

Sepehr Mohammadi, Ali Asghar Hassanzadeh, Mohammad Reza Sang Sefidi, Saeed Ahmad Abbasi , Farhad Tavakoli

Mehdi Javid, Behzad Azimi, Alireza Rafieipour, Muslim Olad Ghobad, Sina Perkas, Mohammad Shajari 

Taha Nematian, Ahmad Ismailpour

Baqer Mohammadi (Benfica ) and Hossein Tayyebi (Shenzhen)

The National Futsal Team Training squad will be travelling to Belarus for two friendly preparation matches and finally participate in the 2021 Futsal World Cup hosted by Lithuania. The above camp will be held until 31 August.

The draw for the 2021 Futsal World Cup grouped Argentina, the USA and Serbia with Iran in Group F

Iran will be playing its first match in the world championship against Serbia on 14th September 2021

 

   Venue: Avia Solutions Group Arena, Vilnius
14 Sep 2021 [18:00] Serbia  Match 11  Iran
14 Sep 2021 [20:00] Argentina  Match 12  United States
17 Sep 2021 [18:00]  Iran Match 23  United States
17 Sep 2021 [20:00] Argentina  Match 24  Serbia
20 Sep 2021 [20:00] Iran  Match 35 Argentina 
20 Sep 2021 [20:00]  United States Match 36 *  Serbia
Švyturys Arena, Klaipėda *

 

Unofficial: Ahmad Nourollahi to Al Ahli Dubai

According to several sources, including Abu Dhabi sports TV show “The Sporting Street”, the Persepolis and Team Melli midfielder Ahmad Nourollahi has signed a 2 years contract with Dubai’s Shabab Al Ahli club.

For several days now, Persepolis fans have been hearing from the media about the possible departure of their influential midfielder “Ahmad Nourollahi”, it seems that this news is very close to reality.

In this regard, Al-Sharia Al-Riyadi TV  “The Sporting Street”, program announced the signing of Nourollahi’s contract with the UAE’s Shabab Al-Ahli club and considered this deal as a closed deal. It remains to be seen to what extent this news is true as there is no official announcement from the Persepolis club.

Nourollahi, the Team Melli midfielder of Persepolis and the third captain of the team, has had a great impact on his team’s championship run in the last few seasons. His contract with Persepolis expired at the end of the season and he remains a free agent. However, sources claimed that Nourollahi has signed an extension of the contract although this was not been confirmed by the player himself.

Perspolis, like almost all other Iranian clubs, are notorious paymasters. They reduce the wages of players and staff unilaterally, frequently stop payments for months, and at times flatly refuse to honor the terms of the contracts. The Iranian Football Federation, due to the influence that the club holds, has been helpless and at times unwilling to support the players by forcing Perspolis to pay its due to the staff.

In this sense, many former staff and players seek justice with FIFA or CAS, both of whom have received numerous claims against the club. The latest of a series of such cases is the payment to the Argentine Coach Calderon. Persepolis has about two weeks left before it is sanctioned by FIFA if it did not honor the payment. The signs are that Persepoils club, which is on the brink of financial bankruptcy, will not be able to pay Calderon and awaits the government handout as it has always done.

Perspolis has to pay US$ 580,000 to the Calderon,  in addition to  25,000 Swiss francs that must be paid to the Supreme Court of Sport CAS.

Most Iranian players seek their fortunes outside the country if the opportunity arises.  Many Team Melli players had bitter experiences with their clubs including deferred payment, reduced salary, contract violations, and breach of trust. With Nourallahi’s departure, Team Melli will only have 4 domestic league players out of 24.

Iran to meet Iraq in Doha for the World Cup qualifiers.

The city of Doha will host the Iraq-Iran match at Al-Wakrah Stadium for the FIFA  World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifier.

According to sources quoting Iraqi Sports, the Iraqi national football team will host Iran in its second match in the World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday (September 7th). Iraq has chosen Qatar as the host of its home games due to its hosting problems. Al-Wakrah Stadium has been selected as the host of Iraq’s match with Iran, and thus the game will be held in this stadium.

Iraqi FA has unsuccessfully appealed against FIFA’s decision that the security situation in Iraq is unsafe and hence the Iraq Team has to nominate other venues outside of Iraq to play the home matches.

 

AFC: “Sanctions prevents VAR from being sent to Tehran.”

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) officially informed FFIRI that it (AFC) could not send VAR equipment to Tehran due to US sanctions.

According to ISNA, part of the letter from the AFC reads: “We would like to inform you that according to the STP recommendation which is under contract with AFC, due to severe international sanctions and various challenges regarding the import of equipment required for the Islamic Republic, the Asian Football Confederation can not send VAR system for matches. We wish the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran success in preparing for the next match, and we look forward to your cooperation and understanding in this regard.”

It should be noted that in previous correspondence from FIFA and the AFC, it was announced that if the stadiums are not equipped with a video referee assistance system VAR, the two organizations will try to support the federations in question. This is despite the fact that many competitions under the auspices of these two international organizations are still held without VAR.

Earlier, Hassan KamraniFar, the acting secretary-general of the Football Federation, had stated that the only remaining problem in hosting the FIFA World Cup qualifiers was the issue of broadcasting rights, and expressed hope that this issue would be resolved with the cooperation of authorities and IRIB. However, in the context that the issue of video referee assistance VAR, it is not considered as a requirement for holding FIFA competition matches at this stage.