KArim Ansarifard

Ansarifard & Lak join Team Melli squad in South Africa

Karim Ansarifard and Hamed Lak , the two Tractorsazi players have flown directly to Johannesburg to join their teammates at the South Africa training camp.

Their departure was initiated right after Tractorsazi were eliminated from the AFC Champions league after the defeat against Al Ittihad. This is good news for Team Melli especially since the squad departed with only 11 outfield players without a goal keeper. It is expected that Esteghlal players , who were also eliminated from the same competition , will also join the squad in South Africa. Karim Ansarifard has recently won the top goal scorer award in the league.

The fate of the remaining two teams players , Foolad Khuzestan & Sepahan , is still unclear in regard to joining the camp. Foolad has already qualified for the Knock Out stages of the AFC Champions League , while Sepahan  are still alive and stand a good chance of qualifying with one last match remaining.  Foolad Khuzestan has 3 players in the squad while Sepahan has 6.

sqd-Lak2013

Iran could hold World Cup surprise in expatriate contingent

No nation competing at this summer’s World Cup finals is rated less likely to win the tournament than Iran. If punters are mad enough to believe otherwise, then take 1500/1 on them lifting the trophy.

For Team Melli coach Carlos Queiroz, it’s a question of relative success. If failing to get his own country Portugal over the first knockout hurdle four years ago in South Africa was under-achieving, then reaching that stage with Iran in Brazil would be considered the complete opposite.

On each of their three previous appearances at the World Cup finals, the Persians have failed to get out of the group stage, recording just one win. Although they have climbed just six places in the FIFA World Rankings to 37 since he took charge in April 2011, Queiroz has quickly introduced a significant foreign-based contingent into the squad.

Iran are set to include their highest ever number of players plying their trade outside of Middle East on a major tournament roster. Chief among this diaspora are right-sided combination Steven Beitashour (Vancouver Whitecaps) and Fulham’s Ashkan Dejagah.

Reunited with Felix Magath at Craven Cottage, after the pair played for and managed Wolfsburg to the Bundesliga title, the German gaffer is once again getting the best out of the winger. Dejagah’s end of season form (three goals and an assist in seven appearances under Magath at the time of writing) could yet help save the west London club from relegation.

Other expatriates set to get the call from Queiroz are goalkeeping pair Daniel Davari and Alireza Haghighi, attacking midfielder Masoud Shojaei, young NEC Nijmegen winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Charlton Athletic forward Reza Ghoochannejhad and uncapped Rubin Kazan frontman Sardar Azmoun. The latter has been affixed with the somewhat dubious label of the “Iranian Messi”.

Fulham fans, but more likely Bolton Wanderers and Barnsley supporters, may also remember holding midfielder Andranik Teymourian. His partnership with former Osasuna stalwart and national skipper Javad Nekounam in the Persians’ engine room remains a key component of their spine.

Both are north of 30 and playing back in Middle East now, but have been to a World Cup – 2006 in Germany – with Team Melli before, and have over 200 caps between them. Queiroz will seldom be able to call on such substantial experience elsewhere in his squad.

Centre half Seyed Jalal Hosseini rarely misses a competitive game for Iran, but has never graced the global stage. Left back Ehsan Hajsafi, meanwhile, is another regular in defence, and has over 50 caps at just 24 years of age.

Khosro Heydari can cover either full back berth or play further up the field. Versatile forwards Mohammad Reza Khalatbari and Gholamreza Rezaei give Queiroz options on the flanks, in behind or up front.

The fact that Iran captain Nekounam was their top-scorer in qualifying says a lot about the players operating ahead of him, as they prepare to grace a World Cup group, which they are widely expected to finish last in.

Queiroz must tackle tournament second-favourites Argentina, first-time qualifiers (as an independent nation) Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Africa Cup of Nations holders Nigeria. All are looking like tough games.

Iran are rank outsiders to win Group F at 28/1, and to reach the knockout phase from this formidable pool at 11/2. They are thus odds-on at 1/10 to bow out after three matches.

As challenging as it looks, then, Queiroz will be counting on individuals like Dejagah to bring their club form in decent divisions across to representing their country. Team Melli can kick things off by stunning Nigeria with victory on June 16th at 11/4.

Kenwyne Jones

Trinidad already thinking about Argentina, Iran

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad & Tobago — Trinidad & Tobago head coach Stephen Hart has already trained his sights on international friendlies against Word Cup-bound teams Argentina and Iran on June 4 and June 8, respectively.

Despite the magnitude of the task facing the Soca Warriors, Hart believes the two games present a wonderful opportunity for the national side top gauge its development.

“We are going into games against two international teams that are going to be fully prepared for the World Cup,” said Hart.  “It’s both teams’ last games before they enter the World Cup so you have to have realistic expectations and approach.

“As far as I am concerned, the players have to understand that they are going into these games purely as a measurement of where we are at and where we need to be if you are going to play on the world stage.”

The Trinidadians have not played since November of last year, when it defeated Jamaica twice in the span of five days without conceding a goal.

Facing Argentina on its home turf, though, poses an entirely different set of challenges.

“Arguably, you are going to play one of the favorites (Argentina) to win the World Cup, which in itself, playing them at home is a very comfortable situation for them and an uncomfortable situation for us,” Hart noted.  “But I think that is a healthy situation because as we build for the future, you have a potential scenario of qualification that you have to play a set amount of games away from home.”

With the actual squad not expected to be chosen until late May, Hart is well aware that preparation for the fixtures would be crucial.

“We haven’t played since November, so now we have to try and gather the team to make sure we are prepared to play against Argentina,” the 54-year-old explained.  “I would like ideally to have about ten days with the players, but we have to look at the fact that some players will still be playing in their leagues and others will be off for a quite awhile, which means we have to address their standards and basically get the team in some sort of preparation mode hopefully with an international game before Argentina.”

Trinidad, which advanced to the quarterfinals of last year’s CONCACAF Gold Cup, is currently the number one ranked team in the Caribbean Football Union and is 76th in the FIFA rankings.

‘We’ll attack to get to World Cup last 16’

Bosnia-Herzegovina will stick to the formula that got them to the World Cup finals in Brazil and attack their rivals in a bid to get out of their qualifying group, coach Safet Susic said on Tuesday.

The Bosnians, for whom Brazil is their first major tournament as an independent nation, scored 30 goals in 10 qualifiers and former Yugoslavia forward Susic believes their attacking approach is the best way to get out of Group F against Argentina, Nigeria and Iran.

“We will play the way we have always played because it would be wrong to change our approach now, although we are aware that our style may be a tactical gamble,” Susic told the national team’s official website (www.reprezentacija.ba).

“When you have players like (Miralem) Pjanic, (Zvjezdan) Misimovic, (Edin) Dzeko and (Vedad) Ibisevic, it would be unfair to the game itself and the fans not to unleash all that talent.”

The Bosnians open their campaign against Argentina at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on 15 June, then meet Nigeria in Cuiaba on 21 June and lock horns with Iran in Salvador four days later.

Having lost 2-0 to the Argentines in a friendly in November, Susic conceded the former double World Cup winners were strong favourites to win the group, but was also confident that Bosnia would join them in the tournament’s knockout stages.

“Argentina are by far the best team in the group and will probably clinch it, but I think we have a realistic chance of going through with them because Nigeria and Iran are not better than us,” he said.

“I honestly believe we have the quality to reach the last 16 and that is our objective in the World Cup.”

Threats and sanctions against Esteghlal & Sepahan!

The question of the Football Federation taking severe disciplinary action against Sepahan and Esteghlal has raised a controversy amongst the media, the fans and clubs.

The storm was started by Seyed Hadi Ayottolahei when he was asked by ISNA football reporter on the reaction of the Football Federation against the clubs that have refused to release their players for Team Melli camp travelling to South Africa. Atyottolahei’s response, quoting ISNA, was that the federation will severely deal with the wrongdoer clubs for such act including declaring all the matches the clubs have used Team Melli players,  as a 3-0 loss and banning the clubs from players transfer activities.

The first penalty would have surely resulted in both clubs relegation.

Adel Ferodowsipour in last night NAVAD program criticized Ayottolahei’s statement and threat against the clubs calling it inappropriate. Amir Ghalenoei was more defiant and used the passionate angle and patriotic argument to defend his club against the wrath of the federation and possible sanction. Sepahan Esfahan, interestingly enough , remained quiet and preferred to channel their energy and resources towards the upcoming crucial match in the AFC Champions league, but no doubt , they will have a lot to say against these threats after the Asian competition matches are over.

While Ayottolahei was referring to FIFA rules and penal codes in support of his strong stand against the clubs, it was not clear which of those rules addressing clubs refusal to release the players to the national team , he was referring to.

TeamMelli. com decided to do carry out its own investigation into the matter to clarify the issue for the public and Team Melli fans.

We have contacted Mr. Shahin Rahmani of AFC to get a clear picture of the appropriate rules in the case of clubs and national teams, the commitments of both sides and legal requirement by FIFA.

Mr. Rahmani, provided the legal ruling by FIFA addressing the release of players for the National team for the upcoming World Cup 2014 in Brazil. Under article 10 of FIFA ruling, the following will apply

10. To protect players from burn-out before the final competition of the 2014 FIFA World Cup™, FIFA has set dates as follows:

(i) The final matchday at club level for the 30 players nominated on the release lists for the final competition of the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ is 18 May 2014.

(ii) The mandatory rest period for the players on the release lists is from 19 to 25 May 2014. Any special exemptions may only be granted by the FIFA Executive Committee.

(iii) The preparation phase for the participating member associations in the final competition of the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ begins on 26 May 2014.

 

We have also contacted FIFA regarding their rules on the matter. The World football governing body referred our question to the legal department of the organization because the queries have legal impacts. FIFA said “Such enquiries need to be submitted either via fax or ordinary (or courier) mail and be duly signed by the sender.” This ultra-cautious approach by the FIFA perhaps reflects their sensitivity about applying sanctions, which is understandable , but in contrast to the Iranian football official approach who condemned the clubs before all the facts were clear.

At the end, it is our firm belief that Iranian football federation has no leg to stand on regarding the sanction against the clubs when it comes to releasing the players to the national team. There is always the question of non-transparency or secret accords between the clubs and the federation that the media and the public is not aware of, and hence we cannot verify, but as far as FIFA is concerned, the players have up to 26th May 2014 to join the national team camps not 14th April as demanded by the FFIRI.

Fans take to streets, social media to protest for Carlos Tevez

It is hard to believe that Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella would exclude fan favorite Carlos Tevez, the leading scorer in Italy’s Serie A, from the World Cup team. But it looks like that is what he is going to do, and fans are so angry they are going to social media and the streets.

On Friday, they held a protest march in Buenos Aires, demanding that their beloved “Carlitos” get a spot on the squad.

Tevez is the leading scorer for first-place Juventus this season with 18 goals, and is tied for the league lead. He previously played at Manchester United and Manchester City, and has always been popular with fans because of his humble beginnings and his tough style of play. He is actually favoured by many fans over Lionel Messi, who is seen as a golden boy who left for Spain at a young age.

But Tevez fell out of favor with Sabella, and has not played for the national team since the 2011 Copa America.

“I’ve got confidence in the strikers that I have. They are all stars at the highest level,” Sabella said after Argentina’s 0-0 tie in a friendly on March 5 against Romania.

It is hard to argue that the Argentina roster is already loaded with Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Angel Di Maria. But Tevez is a world-class player who deserves a shot to make his nation’s World Cup team.

Juventus general manager Beppe Marotta is disappointed Tevez is being left out.

“Clearly Tevez is a man and therefore aspires to wear the jersey of his country, especially at a World Cup,” Marotta told Sky Sport Italia.

“He deserves it for his talents, but the coach makes his decisions. I think it is down to non-football situations we don’t know. As a professional, Tevez accepts this decision with disappointment, but understanding, realizing he can gain satisfaction elsewhere in his career.”

Argentina will be facing Iran , Nigeria and Bosnia-Herzegovina in Group F of the World Cup 2014.

Under Portuguese direction and modest ideals

Translated form the original article in Portuguese

POSTED ON 14/04/14 – 3:00 a.m.

VICTOR MARTINS
www.otempo.com.br

Asian team is led by Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz; in 2010 he coached Portugal

After three tries and three falls in the first phase of the competition, Iran hopes to do differently in 2014. To compete in the World Cup in Brazil, the Asian team includes coach who speaks Portuguese. Carlos Queiroz is born in Portugal and experiencing his second World Cup, although already he qualified three teams for the tournament.

After qualifying for the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan as the head coach of South Africa , he was fired just before the tournament because of a dispute. With Portugal in 2010, Queiroz was eliminated in the quarter-finals to the eventual winners Spain. Now, the coach knows that the mission with Iran will not be easy.

“Iran will not be going  sightseeing, we will play our games with great competence, class and passion.” Carlos Queiroz

 

Many would have  complained of having Argentina in the same group, except for the Portuguese coach, who celebrated the fact that his players will face major players. Winning against Bosnia-Hezergóvina and Nigeria is possible and therefore Iran will engage.

“For us it is fantastic, wonderful. We came to play with the best in the world and we are together with Argentina, we could  not ask for more? We will fight to qualify for the second round. Will it be easy? Not very difficult, but it is in our hands to work to play competently and worthy matches, “said Queiroz.

Iran team has the will & the commitment, although Iran will have a hard time overcoming the other two group opponents. Especially for not having so many players playing in international football, as has Bosnia and Nigeria.

In 1998 the only victory of Iran in the World Cup occurred against the United States, a great political enemy, what the history wants now,  is to get a chance to rank with the quarter-final in the last round. Facing Bosnia, June 25, in Salvador, and chance of ranking is everything you’d expect the Iranian people to dream of.

Olympic team coach start delayed due to legal complications.

Nelo Vingada, the Olympic team head coach was supposed to have started work with the Olympics squad preparing for the competitions ahead especially the Asian Games 2014 Incheon. However , the Portuguese coach has hit a snag.

Explaining the delay in Vingada’s commencement of work with the Olympics team, the Deputy head of the FFIRI , Seyed Hadi Ayttollahei said ” Because of Vingada’s previous stint as the head coach of Persepolis , there is some outstanding taxes that have not been paid. When we reviews the contract between the two parties, it clearly stipulates that Vingada had a two year contract with Persepolis and all taxes for the two years period should have been paid to the government on signing the contract by the club. Therefore Persepolis should have respected this clause and paid its due. This did not happen. Vingada only stayed 5 months with Persepolis and left. The Managers of Persepolis failed to clear the taxes issues and did not contact the appropriate authorities to resolve the issue. Now, the liabilities are even greater, because there is a penalty for non-payment and delays which will cost the club dearly. Persepolis have been very lax  and complacent and this has resulted in issues with Vingada’s current work permit and legal status”

“Unless Persepolis resolves this tax issue with the authorities, Vingada cannot commence his work in Iran. We urge Persepolis to act fast as delays will affect our preparation for the Asian Games.”

Currently , the squad is training under Human Afazeli who is working as a caretaker until the arrival of Vingada.

As if Persepolis does not have enough financial problems , this one regarding Vingada’s tax non-payment , is  added on the rest the club’s complex and crippling financial issues.  Persepolis, one of the most popular teams in Iran , has been struggling to pay it debts , wages , hotel bills and many outstanding bills accumulated through the years. Persepolis has up to today to pay Ajman club for Khalatbary’s remaining transfer fee, else the UAE club will file a suit with FIFA, and finally the tax man in Iran is in hot pursuit of the club for non-payment of many taxes.

 

Team Melli departs to South Africa with 11 players

Tehran.

Carlos Queiroz took a total of 11 players with him to South Africa for the scheduled training camp leaving behind all the players of the 4 Iranian clubs competing in the AFC Champion League.

The squad left on the early morning flight after much deliberation whether the camp should go ahead with such limited numbers.  Although no official statement has been issued on the status of the camp , it is believed that the rest of the players will eventually link up with the team.

Team Melli is supposed to play 4 friendly matches with undisclosed teams.

Majid Saleh the recently appointed assistant coach did not join the squad on the flight to South Africa as he is applying for Austrian visa for the next Team Melli camp.

22 players missing from Team Melli group heading to South Africa.

Tehran 14 Apr. 2014

With less than hours to go for the flight to Dubai then Johannesburg, South Africa, Team Melli seems to be in doldrums.   The 28 players squad should be gathering and ready for the flight but the status of 22 out of 28 is not clear yet.

5 months after it surfaced that Team Melli plans to conduct a training camp in the midst of AFC Champions League competition, and the crucial part of it for that matter , the federation is facing a dilemma now. Constantly quizzed by reporters on what is the final verdict on the players at the crossroads of club and country duties, the federation , the management and the coaches of the team have al;l evaded and refused to answer , thinking that the problem will go way once it is ignored !

Now , at a critical time , only 6 players can be accounted for to be in the plane to South Africa. These are Ale Nemeh , Nourozi (Naft Tehran), Ansarifard , Lak (Tractorsazi), Haddadifar and Khanzadeh (Zob Ahan)

Out of the four Iranian teams in the AFC Champions league , only Tractorsazi will allow their two players to be relived from club commitments to join Team Melli squad. The 3 other teams , Foolad Khuzestan (2 players), Esteghlal (4 players)  and Sepahan (6 players) who all have chances to qualify , have refused to release their players. That is a total of 12 players that have not confirmed their attendance. While Persepolis has the largest number selected , 7 players and the club is not involved in any competition , all their players are under investigation into  tax evasion and hence are not allowed to leave the country!

To top all these problems, Kaffashian and his deputy are both in Kuala Lumpur attending a meeting.  The only official of the federation available for comment was Mr. Amir Hossein Hosseini , the media officer who had little to offer on the situation except to say that “the Disciplinary committee will have to deal with all those absentees.”. That would be a fine solution for Iran, suspending 22  Team Melli players !!!

In hindsight, Carlos Queiroz has indicated a sometime ago , that to conduct a training camp in South Africa with so many players absent , missing or unable to join the squad is a meaningless exercise. But Kaffashian was adamant that the plan will go on as a gesture of defiance, more than anything else, showing off the ability of the federation to carry out its commitment especially after the fiasco of cancelling the Portugal camp because of lack of funds.

Faced with a true dilemma, it will be interesting to note how many players actually make the trip in the next few hours. We are not sure what sort of pressure will be exerted by the FFIRI or the clubs on the players, but one thing that we are sure of, is the inability and the incompetence that is continually shown by this football administration and its failure to competently deal with the complications of Iranian football.

 

LIST OF INVITED PLAYERS

 

  Name Club League
1 JABBARI, Mojtaba Al Arabi  Qatar
2 BEIGZADEH, Hashim Esteghlal  
3 HEYDARI, Khosrow Esteghlal  
4 SADEGHI, AmirHossein Esteghlal  
5 TEYMOURIAN, Andranik Esteghlal  
6 JAMAATI, Mehrdad Foolad Khuzestan  
7 MAKANI, Sousha Foolad Khuzestan  
8 RAHMANI, Bakhtiyar Foolad Khuzestan  
9 ALE NEMEH, Ahmad Naft Tehran  
10 NOUROZI, Reza Naft Tehran  
11 HAGHIGHI, Reza Persepolis  
12 HOSSEINI, Jalal Persepolis  
13 KHALATBARY, MohamadReza Persepolis  
14 MAHINI, Hossein Persepolis  
15 MOSALLMAN , Mohsen Persepolis  
16 POOLADI, Mehrdad Persepolis  
17 SADEGHIAN, Payam Persepolis  
18 AHMADI, Rahman Sepahan  
19 EBRAHIMI, Omid Sepahan  
20 HAJSAFY, Ehsan Sepahan  
21 KARIMI, Yaghoub Sepahan  
22 KHALILZADEH, Shojaa Sepahan  
23 SHARIFI , Mehdi Sepahan  
24 ANSARIFARD, Karim Tractorsazi  
25 LAK , Hamed Tractorsazi  
35 MONTAZERI, Pejman Um Salal Qatar
26 HADDADIFAR, Ghassim Zob Ahan  
27 KHANZADEH, Mohammadreza Zob Ahan  
28 NEKOUNAM, Javad Al Kuwat FC Kuwait