Tough draw for Iran in AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020

Bangkok: Iran’s Omid Team has been drawn in what must be the toughest group of the AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020.
Joining Iran are the defending champions Uzbekistan, Korea Republic and China in Group C. The Thailand 2020 Finals draw was held in Bangkok on Thursday. Iran had no representation in the draw ceremony.
Uzbekistan will open their defence of the AFC U23 Championship title in Group C with a match against Iran’s Omid Team. It promises to be an exciting group as all three of Uzbekistan’s challengers will be aiming to win the title for the first time.

The fourth edition of the Championship will be played across three cities – Bangkok, Buriram and Songkhla – with the tournament kicking off on January 8, and the final to be played on January 26. Besides Continental glory, 15 of the 16 teams will also be competing for places in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where the top three sides will join hosts Japan as Asia’s representatives next July.

Hosts Thailand was drawn in Group A and they will have 2013 champions Iraq, Australia and debutants Bahrain to contend with.
Qatar, third in 2018, 2016 champions Japan, Saudi Arabia – runners-up in 2013, and Syria are in an exciting looking Group B.

Vietnam, runners-up in 2018, have DPR Korea, Jordan – third in 2013 – and United Arab Emirates for the company in Group D.
Should Japan make the last four stage, the other three semi-finalists will be assured of their places in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Under newbie coach Farhad Majidi, Iran’s U23 had a disappointing showing in the preparation matches two of which were against the same Uzbekistan team which they will meet on 9th January 2020. With the powerful South Koreans, who are a title contenders in their own right, waiting next for Iran, it is going a steep mountain to climb for Iran. Realistically, Iran chances look dim for qualification but would be more than happy to be in the top two teams. China, the other team of the group have been performing well qualifying to the finals with ease after beating Laos 5-0 and Philipines 8-0 while drawing with host Malaysia 2-2. The Chinese have two friendly matches arranged in South America in Late November with Colombia in Bucaramanga and then against Peru in Lima.

The star-studded Korean team who are the Gold Medal holders of the Asian Games 2018 may include Tottenham Hotspurs star Son Heung-min who is 27 now. However upfront they have Hamburger SV forward Hwang Hee-chan and Italian Club Verona Lee Seung-woo in the squad. It is not clear if these players will be released for this championship.

 

 

Group C match fixtures

DATE VENUE TEAM TEAM
9 January 2020 Tinsulanon Stadium, Songkhla   Uzbekistan Iran
9 January 2020 Tinsulanon Stadium, Songkhla South Korea China PR
12 January 2020 Tinsulanon Stadium, Songkhla Iran South Korea
12 January 2020 Tinsulanon Stadium, Songkhla China PR Uzbekistan
15 January 2020 Thammasat Stadium, Pathum Thani Uzbekistan South Korea
15 January 2020 Tinsulanon Stadium, Songkhla China PR Iran

An ill-tempered derby sells Iran football short!

Bizan Zolfaghar Nasab, the former Team Melli player and current Media expert says the standard of the Iranian football is always exhibited in the big Tehran derby between Persepolis and Esteghlal.

In the match played on Sunday, Persepolis defeated Esteghlal in the packed Azadi stadium by one goal to nil in a dour and ill-tempered match with frequent clashes between players and stoppages duration of the match.

Zolfaghar Nasab in an interview with ISNA, commented on the derby: “It was the weakest derby in terms of quality in the last two seasons. Neither team was able to reproduce its form. Both teams had a lot of changes this season, the players were not comfortable with the prevailing conditions and were not mentally fit.”

He continued: “Overwhelming errors and aggressive fouls diminished the quality of play and prevented the referee from doing his job too. Overall it wasn’t a good game. To say that, it is just the fourth round and the teams aren’t ready yet, is just an excuse. It is regrettable that we played such a sham game at this level in the league, a match that has millions of overseas viewers too. In addition to football standards,  the performance and the attitude of the players has put a serious question mark on our culture, morals and behaviour.”

Zolfaghar Nasab added. “This is not just a problem limited to the two teams. Of course, these two clubs have gone through many changes, from the change of board and CEO to the coaching staff and players.”  He added, “The lack of quality in this derby is not exclusive fault of the coach and the players but it is the combination of many factors which lowers the technical level of the teams.”

“European second-class clubs have stable management structures that remains at the helm for at least seven years. Bayern Munich has changed only two directors in five years, but here three CEOs change has occurred in one year. We do not expect Iranian clubs to be like Bayern Munich or meet the standards of the top European teams, but a country claiming to be a World Cup contender every tournament must have more structured and systematic clubs. In here, chaos is the rule rather than the4 exception”

Zolfaghar Nasabsaid at the end: “The Derby showed the true face of Iranian football. We are tense, chaotic, disorderly, undisciplined and seemed to be in a real hurry. To address this chaotic football system from the highest levels, we need proper and professional management, which we don’t at the moment.”

The overwhelming verdict by many critics and pundits that this derby between the two most popular team in Iran’s bipartisan Iranian football was a bad advertisement for Iran.  Nasser Mohammadkhani, ex Perspolis player and a member of Team Melli in the 1998 World Cup went as far as saying the at ” We have really seen 10 minutes of real football in the whole match, the rest was skirmishes, protests, clashes and everything but football”

The Iranian Futsal National Team played its second match in the Caspian 4 side tournament which is being hosted by Russia in Astrakhan.

The Iranian and Azerbaijani futsal teams met on Monday and the match ended in a 2 – 2 draw.

The team under control of the head coach Nizam al-Sharia started the match vs Azerbaijan with Sepehr Mohammadi, Hamid Ahmadi, Saeed Abbasi, Mohammad Reza Sefedi and Bahadori. In the first half with two passed, Azerbaijan to make it 0 -1. The Azeri team succeeded once again to open up the defences of Iran and managed another goal in the 18th minute.

The first half ended with Azerbaijan leading Iran 2 -0

 

 In the second half, the pressure of Nazim al-Sharia’s players increased and Iran minimized the gap in the opening minutes of the match by Mehdi Javid when he skilfully scored. While Iran’s efforts to score the equalizing goal were fruitless all the way up to 5 minutes from the end, Abu al-Qassim Aruji scored with a spectacular shot. It tied the game and the result was maintained until the end of the match.

This is the fourth time Iran draws against Azerbaijan in futsal games. The Iranian Futsal team now has 4 points and Azerbaijan gained its first point of the tournament.

Iran plays host Russia in the final game tomorrow.

Saudi Piracy station condemned.

About 3 years ago after Saudi Arabia along with close allies Egypt, UAE and Bahrain cut its diplomatic and economic ties with Qatar, a pirate Satellite station popped up out of nowhere and started on sports piracy by broadcasting copy-right materials. Almost the entire broadcast rights that the Qatari owned channel, Bein sports was holding were transmitted by this entity on the Saudi Controlled Arabsat satellite

The station is called BeOutQ , which stands for Be Out Qatar, in defiance to the rights of legitimate organization Bein sports.  Tons of protests by Qatar government and  Bein sports organization who sought the support of FIFA and EUFA among many other service providers came to nowhere as the station, clearly supported by the Saudi Officials continued its piracy unabated.

BeOutQ was selling the box plus a one-year subscription for less than US$100 and was available in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and UAE in clear violation of these countries intellectual property and copyright laws of which the latter two are ultra-strict in its application. The box was initially sold under the table, but later it was on the shelves and can be picked up even in some supermarkets!

The fact that these governments turned a blind eye to BeOutQ illegitimate activities and the transmission was through Arabsat, a Saudi government majority holding company,  showed that BeOutQ and its backers have no fear of retribution or sanctions. BeOutQ was emboldened by the reluctance of the western governments to question Saudi Arabia or upset its rulers as Khashoghji’s murder case was so evident.

Finally, it seems that the stakeholders had enough of the Saudi station and the following joint statement is the result of many years of Bein sports effort to stop the piracy.

 

Joint statement by FIFA, the AFC, UEFA, the Bundesliga, LaLiga, Lega Serie A, Ligue 1 and the Premier League on the publication of an investigative report into the operations of beoutQ

As rights holders of globally followed sports events, whose intellectual property rights have been breached on a systematic and widespread basis by the pirate broadcaster known as beoutQ, we have commissioned a leading industry body, MarkMonitor, to conduct research and produce a detailed and independent technical analysis of beoutQ’s operations.

The report confirms without question that beoutQ’s pirate broadcasts have been transmitted using satellite infrastructure owned and operated by Arabsat. The contents of the report are today being published in full on the rights holders’ websites to provide transparency about the facts of the case and to demonstrate the seriousness with which we, as global rights holders, view this issue.

As previously communicated, we have been frustrated in our attempts to pursue a formal copyright claim against beoutQ in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and, while we have received reports that beoutQ transmissions are currently disrupted, we nevertheless call on Arabsat and all other satellite providers to stop (and going forward agree to refrain from) providing a platform for piracy, which harms not just legitimate licensees, fans and players but also the sports that it abuses. Cutting off its access to transmission services would be a major step in the fight to stop beoutQ. We all, individually and collectively, remain committed to bringing an end to international sports piracy.

Reza Ghoochannejhad super hero performance creates history in Eredivisie.

Team Melli former player Reza Ghoochannejhad created a historic return to the Eredivisie on Sunday. The striker came off the bench to score four goals as PEC Zwolle came from behind to defeat RKC Waalwijk 6-2.

PEC Zwolle got their first win of the season before the winter break, but head coach John Stegeman was then fined by the club for being found guilty of causing an accident whilst intoxicated behind the wheel.

Stegeman took charge of the game against RKC and saw his side take the lead in the 26th minute through Iliass Bel Hassani. However, RKC equalised two minutes later thanks to a wonderful strike by Melle Meulensteen.

Iran’s Reza Ghoochannejhad (R) celebrates with teammate Soroush Rafiei after scoring a goal against UAE 

RKC then took the lead in the 34th minute through PEC Zwolle loanee Clint Leemans, who saw his cross end up in the net. Leemans almost made it 3-1 but his free-kick came back off the post.

Ten minutes into the second half, Dennis Johnsen was forced off injured and Stegeman turned to Reza Ghoochannejhad, who was making his PEC Zwolle debut.

The Iranian striker equalised on the hour mark from Kenneth Paal’s cross and then he headed PEC Zwolle in front with ten minutes to go. Reza completed his hattrick two minutes later after just beating the offside trap.

Reza made Eredivisie history with his fourth goal in the 88th minute before Gustavo Hamer sealed a 6-2 win deep into injury time. Ghoochannejhad is the first player in Eredivisie history who has scored four goals after coming on as a substitute.

FIFA Organizes Iran Visit After Female Fan Death

Lausanne, Sept 11, 2019 (AFP) –

FIFA said on Wednesday it will send officials to Iran “shortly” to look at the possibility of allowing female spectators into football games in the country.

The announcement comes a week after an Iranian football fan set herself on fire outside a court and died after being told she would be jailed for six months for trying to enter a stadium in Tehran dressed as a man.

“A FIFA delegation will be on site shortly to assess the preparations to allow women at the stadium for the upcoming World Cup qualifier match in October,” FIFA told AFP.

The global governing body added no details regarding the date of the visit but Iran, who featured at the 2018 World Cup, host Cambodia, ranked 170th in the world, on October 10. According to a source close to the proceedings, it will be a three-person delegation, representing FIFA’s competition department and its security department.

The same source said the officials will meet with the Iranian football association but refused to confirm or deny possible talks with the country’s authorities. Iran has barred female spectators from football and other stadiums since 1981, with clerics arguing they must be protected from the masculine atmosphere and sight of semi-clad men. Iran’s sports ministry said in August that women fans would be allowed into the stadium when Team Melli — as the national team is known — play their next home qualifier.

Sahar Khodayari’s death sparked outrage on social media, with many celebrities, football players and activists using the hashtag #blue_girl to call on FIFA to ban Iran from international competitions and fans to boycott matches.

She has been dubbed “blue girl” because of the colors of her club in the capital, Esteghlal FC.

Iran has come under pressure from FIFA to allow women to attend qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup and was reportedly given a deadline of August 31 to comply.

The ban on women in stadiums is not written into law or regulations, but is “ruthlessly enforced”, said Human Rights Watch, calling it a “clear violation of the rules in FIFA”.

Allowing women into football stadiums under the current environment isn’t desirable.

After the conclusion of the weekly Council of Ministers meeting, Mahmoud Vaezi, the Director of the Iranian President’s Office stated in a press briefing, indicates that the government has not given the green light for women attendance in stadiums and the matter is still under review. This comes after what is believed was an assurance by FFIRA to FIFA that women will be allowed in Team Melli matches in the near future.

With the latest development, it seems that Iran’s football federation FFIRI which in practice has no control or authority in the decision making about the issue of women attending, and FIFA the world governing body , will reach a flashpoint. It is feared that FIFA will sanction Iran and Team Melli will be victimized.

Mahmoud Vaezi, said in his briefing “In the last few months, we have been having a lot of discussions in the council about the subject of allowing women in stadiums. We firmly believe that if the stadiums were safe and suitable for women, we don’t mind their presence, however with the current situation and atmosphere where that fans trade insults, use profanities, engage in fighting and throw dangerous articles at each other, the presence of women in the stadium is not practical and also dangerous. The Director of the President’s office said minister concerned was instructed to speak to the leaders of the teams to facilitate the creation of a clean environment and space for women to be present, as well as a suitable exclusive area for women to enter without being subjected to hardship. If the atmosphere at the stadium is ethical and appropriate, in our opinion, the presence of women in the stadiums will not be an issue.

Mahmoud Vaezi is the de facto spokesperson of President Hassan Rouhani. It is safe to assume that he is speaking on behalf of the President. Although his statement to the press sounded rational what he failed to mention was that the onus is on the government to provide the right atmosphere for women and not for Minister of Sport to ask the Leaders of Esteghlal and Persepolis to do that. This sounds quite comical and superficial.

The issue of women entering stadiums is not even in the full control of the government as the final decision on such matters is in the hand of the Grand Ayatollah who views women mixing with men in public places as a great sin.

There is no guarantee that Rouhani’s government decision will not be reversed by Khamenaei in this matter.

It is true that the atmosphere in the Iranian stadiums is toxic. Attending a football match in Azadi is a challenge for every human being especially in big games. It is a combination of chaos, disorganization, safety risks such as accident, stampede, flying objects, fireworks and stones throwing not to mention the logistics. Interestingly enough, carrying a genuine match ticket does not guarantee you getting your seat or even entering the stadium in the first place!.

Although much of these issues are due to the behaviour of the fans and lack of respect for the law, the organizers have a lion share of the blame too. Responsibilities seemed to be vague at times, exercising authority ultimately seem to be the domain of security forces rather than administrators or organizers.

Nothing seems to work flawlessly in Azadi as incompetence is rife.  Iran is probably the only country in the world and member of FIFA that never actually publishes an official attendance figure, for the simple reason of lack of control. They simply cannot count how many people pass through the turnstiles, or maybe they do not publish attendance figures on purpose to hide the number of unlawful entries.

As a person who experienced such hardships in Azadi Stadium, I can very much empathize with the government view and its objective to protect women from some beasts and possible catastrophe. The government concern is genuine and it is not based on religious ideologue.   The government, however, cannot escape responsibilities as it needs to sort its own house. It is the government responsibility to provide safe and sound space for women.

The social and cultural issues in the stadiums cannot be different than what exists in the streets or the bazar where men and women mix all the time and there is no restriction

Concerns are high for Omid Team prospects.

Apart from the Football Federation and in particular, its president Mehdi Taj, everyone that has insight and knowledge of Iranian football believes that the appointment of a rookie as the coach of Omid Team (U23) is a big mistake.

Farhad Majidi has been put into an unenviable position and given the task of qualifying for the Men’s football Olympic tournament after more than 40 years of absence. Coaches much more experienced and qualified than Majidi have failed to take Iran to what looks like an unattainable dream and some kind of a spell.

 While many prominent and experienced domestic coaches turned down the job, Majidi took upon himself to promise success in qualification but without much thought or results in the field.

Omid Team, which is considered the backbone and the near future of Team Melli, under head coach Farhad Majidi has been performing dismally and the result of the recent friendly games (1-0 and 4-1 defeats against Uzbekistan) raises an alarm bell that many have expected and forecasted the minute Majidi was appointed.

Mansour Rashidi, the famous Team Melli goalkeeper is yet another ex-player who raised doubts on the Omid team recently. Rashidi told Mehr sports reporter: “I am not familiar with the Omid Team players except for one or two and admittedly I am not close to the team to know them inside out. I didn’t watch any of the recent friendly games with Uzbekistan either, but the results of those two preparations matches were not serving Iranian football’s reputation. ” The former coach of Iran’s Omid team continued “This team is the backbone of Team Melli and much more efforts are needs to be taken into Temporary Email consideration to develop it.  It seems the level of attention, priority and care for Omid team is low.”

He added: “Farhad Majidi is one of the Iran football upcoming prospects and I am confident that he will have a bright future in coaching. But coaching Omid Team at this stage of his career was far too early for him. This team needs much more experienced and qualified coaches.  The last time Iran qualified to the Olympics was  Montreal Olympics 1976 and I was honoured to be a member of that Olympic team ” our former national footballer said.

“We never imagined at the time that qualifying to the Olympics would be an unattainable dream for Iranian football”. Rashidi said: “Although the results of the preparatory games are a blow and a disappointment for Iranian football, I really hope the team can break the spell of half a century of not qualifying for the Olympics and take Iranian football out of this misery and pity.”

In order to qualify for the Tokyo Olympic games, Iran must achieve one of the top three ranks in the upcoming Asian U23 Championship in Thailand. Iran did not even qualify directly as the achieved qualification as one of the best second teams.

Sahar Khodayari succumbs to her burns, Esteghlal Club issues a condolance.

A lady football fan has died after setting herself on fire while facing a possible jail sentence for watching a game of football ‘illegally’ (…)  in Iran. This is a fact and not fiction.

Sahar Khodayari, a passionate Esteghlal Club supporter from her childhood was detained after she was caught trying to enter Azadi stadium while disguised as a man.

Women in Iran are banned from watching men play football in stadiums, despite the fact that there are no Koranic verses to support such act and it also is violates FIFA’s constitution.

The sports complex is known as the Azadi stadium. translated into freedom or liberty. The 29-year-old was held in jail for three days before being released on bail. On 2 September a Tehran court told her that she could be tried by a Revolutionary Court and face up to six months in prison for the most innocent of activities, which is carried out by millions of people all around the world, even in Saudi Arabia!.

After hearing the news, Sahar doused herself in petrol outside the court.

She suffered 90 per cent burns across her body.

The 29-year-old died on Monday, according to the semi-official Shafaghna news agency.

Gianni Infantino, FIFA’s president, had warned the Islamic Republic to allow women in stadiums or face sanctions, in remarks made in June. The 29-year-old has become known as “the blue girl” online, for the colour associated with Esteghlal, her favourite football team.

Her preferred disguise for watching matches was a blue wig and long overcoat, which also contributed to the nickname. Her sister told local media in Iran that Ms Khodyari had bipolar disorder and that her time in prison, before being released on bail, had led to her mental health deteriorating. Courts in Iran do not seem to understand, appreciate or sympathise with such conditions as the rest of the civilized world.

“What happened to Sahar Khodayari is heartbreaking,” said Philip Luther, Amnesty International’s Middle East Research and Advocacy Director. “Her only ‘crime’ was being a woman in a country where women face discrimination that is entrenched in law and plays out in the most horrific ways imaginable in every area of their lives, even sports.”

Masoud Shojaei, the captain of Team Melli, paid tribute to the fan on Instagram. “As we are shocked by old limitations set for women, the future generations will be astonished to [find out] that women were banned from entering sports arenas in our time,” he said, according to Radio Farda.

Esteghlal has issued the following statement, offering condolences to Ms Khodayari’s family.

“to the revered Khodayari’s family : The tragic and sorrowful demise of your beloved daughter, Sahar Khodayari, caused great grief in Esteghlal Club, especially within the supporters of the team. We extend our sincere condolences to you and to all your relatives who are suffering, and we ask God the Almighty for his mercy and patience to the family , friends and relatives. We pray for the well being of the survivors and the fans of football.“

Andranik Teymourian, a former Esteghlal player, said in a tweet that one of Tehran’s major football stadiums should be named after Ms Khodayari.

Indeed it is a sad day when a person loses her life for fear of prosecution for doing nothing more innocent than attending a football match. It gives Iran as a country and a regime a very bad name all across the world when the country is in a dire need of a good reputation and some friends.

The death of Sahar comes only a few days after an Iranian athlete was ordered to forfeit a match just in case of the possibility of meeting an Israeli opponent.

World body to sanction Iranian judo federation as Saeid Mollaei says his family was threatened by the government to pressure him to avoid facing Israel’s Sagi Muki. Mollaei has since requested asylum in Germany after his family received veiled threats by the security apparatus of the regime. The judo champion and star said he is afraid to return home after exposing and criticizing his government’s pressure on him to deliberately lose in last week’s World Championships in Tokyo to avoid a potential bout against an Israeli opponent.

Team Melli starts with a comfortable win vs Hong Kong.

Team Melli defeated host Hong Kong 2-0 in its first match of Group C in the Qualifying rounds of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers China 2023. The match played in front of 14,000 cheering fans at Hong Kong Stadium in So Kon Po was marred by political protest including jeers while playing the anthem.

The goals were scored by Sardar Azmoun and Karim Ansarifard.

In hot and humid conditions which were interrupted in both halves for a minute compulsory cooling break, Team Melli had main challenge seemed to be the weather conditions rather than the strength of the opposition. Hong Kong which came into the match with one point from a draw in the first round against Cambodia was no match for Iran

In the first, with the majority of ball possession, Team Melli went into the lead at the 23rd minute when Ansaifard tees the ball for Azmoun to volley into the far corner of Hong Kong keeper. The goal was a result of some fine work initiated by Ramin Rezaeian on the right-wing.

Karim Ansarifard could have scored a spectacular goal himself when he hit a powerful scissors kick that ricocheted off the bar with the keeper helpless.

In the second half, Team Melli continued where they left off with even more possession and a barrage of corners. The result was another goal scored by Karim Ansarifard once again thanks to some fine work and cross by Rezaian from the right flank. As time was passing, the packed defences of the host and the instance of Team Melli to penetrate a pretty packed box did not lead to an increase in the tally.

Team Melli could not add to the score further despite several good opportunities were created including a late Sardar Azmoun attempt that the Hong Kong Keeper saved well.

The Hong Kong players resorted to some rough play with the Japanese referee showing 4 of the host players a yellow card. It could have been many more thant that.

In general it was a comfortable win by Team Melli with minimal effort. The weather was a factor in less than optimum performance and true attacking football. Despite the shy Hong Kong offensive attempts, the Iranian defence was solid as they turned Beiranvand role into a spectator in the majority of game time.

There were some shortfalls in Team Melli performance that Marc Wilmots will definitely address in the next few weeks. The major issue is the failure to take advantage of dead-ball situations. Despite double figures of corners, none of them created any serious scoring chances as the host defenders and the keeper had little difficulties in defending them. There were no variations in the corner kicks, and no attempt to use wide player plus the ball delivery was of low quality, that is until Dejagah was substituted in late in the match and took the corners much better.

The occasional sloppy play by team Melli players and several delays in passing was another area of concern that could be very well punished by the stronger teams.

The two best players today were Karim Ansarifard and Ramin Rezaeian. It is difficult to choose one over another as both played quite well and were instrumental in the two goals. It is not difficult to choose the worst player of the match though, as Alireza Jahanbakjhsh continued his dismal performance during the match. With little or no contribution to the match, it was quite surprising that Wilmots allowed him to play for 88 minutes. His replacement, Dejgah made a big impact in only a few minutes. This leads to many genuine questions on how Dejagah was left out of the squad initially, yet a non-performer like Jahanbakhsh was picked to start the match.

In the other match of the group today, Bahrain managed to beat Cambodia 1-0 in Phnom Penh to lead the group with 4 points in two games. Iran is second with 3 points.