Tehran.

In the post-match news conference,   Javad Nekounam expressed his deep concern and disappointment with the state of affairs in the football federation. After the 3-1 win of Esteghlal against Sorinet Rah Ahan,  where Nekounam scored the third goal from the penalty spot, the Captain of Team Melli was highly critical of the management of football and lack of true support from the authorities, expressing his dismay and apprehension with the current affair of Team Melli and football in general in Iran.  The Nekounam was particularly bitter about the cancellation of Team Melli training camp which was supposed to be held in Portugal. He said that the players have done their utmost best and delivered by qualifying for the World Cup, but the rewards was not only not forthcoming , because of financial difficulties,  even the basic requirement for preparation of the team towards the world cup has been neglected by cancelation of this scheduled training camp and friendly matches.” This is simply undermining the Team Melli preparation. “According to Nekounam.

“I thank God that our next match against Thailand is an official match that cannot be cancelled. With such a state of affairs, don’t expect much from Team Melli in the World Cup.  You need to lower your expectations from our team because we simply cannot produce the goods at World Cup level with such poor programming and ill-preparation. We should be more than content at whatever we can possibly achieve in Asia and that is all.” Nekounam addressed the media in the press conference.

In one of the strongest criticism targeting the football federation and the country’s leaders, Nekounam said “The players and the coaches have done their job admirably. Under difficult circumstances, against the odds and while our backs was to the wall, we have won, achieved qualification and even topped our group. The hierarchy, the federation and the administrators on the other hand, did not deliver anything that they have promised.”

“Not only the resources that were available to Team Melli have not improved, it has in fact it has deteriorated. Qualifying for the World Cup is the dream of every nation in the world. It is a glorious honor for teams and most countries cherish such event and give all the support and resources available, but not in our country. All we received was promises after promises.”  Nekounam stated in a veiled reference to the former President Mahmoud AhmadiNejad , a staunch Team Melli fan, who promised so much but delivered very little , if anything, towards the team.

A reporter asked Nekounam, why Carlos Queiroz was dozing off during the match today, Nekounam said that the Portuguese coach cannot be blamed.  “He is upset. At the end of the day, although he is trying his best to produce a quality team that will be the pride of the people, he is facing all sorts of difficulties and hurdles. So , I suppose he will simply fulfill his contract by gathering the 20 odd players and take them to Brazil, as hope for the best. As simple as that.”

Ghalenoei grievances

In the same press conference, Nekounam’s coach at Esteghlal and the former Team Melli coach, Amir Ghalenoei , exposed the unpleasent condition that his players and staff are exposed to by the club with the club holding payment of their wages. After Esteghlal laborious win in the Persian Gulf League against Sorinet Rah Ahan, coach expressed his bitterness and embarrassment with the team condition.  “ After the difficult game in the Asian Champions league match on Wednesday, where the players spent so much energy to maintain the result, we had to face yet another match against a good team in the league. It is only the integrity and the principle of the players that is keeping this team intact, else how can one expect these players to give their %100 while they have not been paid! I feel ashamed and embarrassed to face the players and  staffs. I feel their pain and I simply feel very uncomfortable to criticize their performance on the field, under these circumastances. I really feel bad because I am as quite helpless and cannot do much for the players, coaches and support staff to get their salaries and expenses. ”

Ghalenoei was also critical of the league scheduling. “We played in the Champions League 4 days ago , while all the other teams had a 6 days’ rest. What would have wrong with giving us one day extra rest and playing on Monday?. While sometimes the league is stopped for Team, Melli programs for over two or three weeks, meaning no matches, suddenly we have t play 3 matches in a matter of a week.!”

Mojtaba Jabbari , one of the most talented and creative midfield players in Iran at the present time is again involved in another dispute ,  that has deprived him from playing regular football  this time with his current club , Sepahan Esfahan.

The long list of Jabbari’s disputes and battles in Iran can only be matches by another talented and skillful player of Iran, namely Ali Karimi. Somehow it seems that being a worthy skillful and entertaining player must be synonymous with trouble maker.

Rumors were circulating from various sources in Esfahan and the Iranian media about Mojtaba Jabbari’s impending departure from Sepahan.  Whatever problems Team Melli midfielder had with his club, surfaced in the open after an interview given to the press in which Jabbari criticized the coach’s tactics. In professional football, it is always expected that some disciplinary action is taken against such acts of indiscretion by players.  It is not the first time that the quick trigger mouth of the Jabbari has put him into trouble.

In today’s post Sepahan – Saba Qom match press conference, the Croat coach of Sepahan Esfahan , Zlatko”Cico” Kranjcar confirmed that Jabbari has been suspended by the club and not allowed to attend the teams  practices and  subsequently not available for selection for official matches. Kranjcar said that “ the club has given their recently joined player all the support  he needed to integrate himself with the rest of the team, however , it seems that he is not settled and he is unsure of him being here while publicly criticizing us.  Because of that, we have given him time to sort himself out. We still willing to have him in the team, but only if he fully applies himself as a Sepahan player working within the framework of the team for team. We need committed players”

 It seemed to the outside observer, that Jabbari abrupt signing for Sepahan was done on haste. The circumstances behind his signing were far from professional and highly emotional. Jabbari was a persona non grata at Esteghlal as the result of series of disputes that Jabbari had with the club , including but not limited to financial disputes. The matter reached a flash point of no return when he was involved in a physical scuffle with Esteghlal’s Chief Executive Ali Fathollazadeh.  Jabbari claimed that the vulgar Fathollazadeh used obscene words during their arguments which prompted him to physical attack the CEO of Esteghlal.  The player was immediately sacked from the club and Sepahan pounced on the opportunity to sign him without really addressing the circumstances of his departure or indeed analyzing the player’s psychological profile and his willing to give it all for another club different from his beloved Esteghlal.

Now, Jabbri has realized that his heart is not in Sepahan but there in Tehran. He has already told a reporter that as soon as Fathollazadeh leaves Esteghlal or is sacked, he will promptly return to Esteghlal! Such statement did not endear him with Sepahan supporters and much less with the club management and it showed definite lack of commitment by the player for Sepahan Club.

So, here is another example of a very talented player who has personality issues which hinders his progress and potential. Regardless to who is right and who is at fault , Jabbari , like many other Iranian players, lack the professional conduct and proper conflict resolution tactics preferring to open their mouth in public resulting in antagonism and disorder. The result will always reflect on the player himself as even the most die-hard fan of such player will eventually lose patience and sympathy with him by saying “What a waste of talent!”

Iran’s U-14 football team defeated Iraq 1-0 in the semi final of the 2013 Asian Youth games to set a date with South Korea in the final Gold Medal match on Friday 23rd August.

The semi final match was played in Wutaishan Stadium, Nanjing saw Iran’s top scorer Shahab Rashno score the only goal of game in the 24th minute and his 5th of the competition. Rashno scored from a penalty kick after the Iraqi goalkeeper tripped him in the box.  Despite the e Iraqi’s good showing in the group matches and expectations to be a stiff competition , the Iraqi team was too conservative and did not show enough grit to challenge the young Iranians until much later stages of the match which was mostly dominated by Iran. The young Iranians did not manage to produce more than the one goal to show  for their dominance. The rough playing Iraqi’s , desperate for scoring the equalizer lost their tops as the game was nearing the end. In a scuffle, the Chinese referee sent two Iraqi’s players off for un-sportsmanship behavior!

In the other semi-final , bitter rivals of the Korean peninsula , South and North met in a grueling match. The South Koreans scored the only goal of the match in the second half to set an interesting meeting and renew yet another rivalry with Iran in the finals.

FINAL MATCH

Team Melli U14 lost the final; match 1-0 againt the South Koreans to win football’s silver medal in teh 2013 Asian Youth Games.

The Iranian football legend and the current coach of Perspolis, Former striker and Captain of Team Melli, Ali Daei has been awarded the World Peace Prize by the  Ambassadors of International Institute for Peace.

The ceremony took place on Tuesday at 18:00 (local time) in the Vahdat concert Hall in Tehran. Numerous dignitaries, actors, artists, sports figures, scholars, and ambassadors from several countries attended the ceremony which is held in recognition of the charity and Peace works of sport and Cinema personalities in their society. It is normally awarded to persons who have an impact within and beyond the borders of their countries. Ali Daei is globally recognized as the most prolific international goal scorer. He holds the world record for scoring in international games (109 goals in 149 matches)

Daei played his football in Qatar , Germany , UAE and Iran.

After retirement , Daei went into coaching and won the league title with Saipa. He also had a stint with Team Melli m but was sacked after the defeat to Saudi Arabia in Azadi in 2009.

It is believed that Ali Daei is the most recognized Iranian in the world, because of his fame in football.

Nanjing , China

Iran U 14 football reached the semi-finals of the 2nd Asian Youth Games with a victory over Vietnam in the match played in Wutaishan Stadium, Nanjing, Republic of China. The youngsters, who have dominated their group matches with a full mark, defeated the stubborn Vietnamese team 3-1 to reach the semi-final.

In the semifinal , Iran will meet Iraq on August 21^st for a place in the Final gold medal match.

Iran’s campaign started last Tuesday Aug 13^th, with a match against Indonesia.

The Iranian team defeated Indonesia 4-0 in Group C of the games at the Wutaishan Stadium in Nanjing, China.  Ali Najafi (26’), Mohammad Soltanimehr (28’ and 62’) and Shahab Rashno (61’) scored for Iran.

Saudi Arabia drew with Hong Kong 1-1 in the group.

Iran then faced Hong Kong on Aug 15^th and won with a comprehensive 5-0. Margin. Rashno scored a hat trick for Iran in the minutes  11′, 31′, 54′, while Soltanimehr (26′) and Ali Najafi (69′) scored the other two.

The last group match was against Iran’s main rival Saud Arabia. However, the Saudi were no match for the gallant Iranians as they were also defeated 5-0.  Iran goals were scored by Nasseri(30′), Rahimikhoygani (40′), Shajie (45′) , Garousi (59′) and Ali Najafi (61′)

With nine points out of nine and 14 goals scored without a reply , Iran headed to the Quarter finals.

The 2nd Asian Youth Games is underway in Nanjing, China from August 16–24, 2013.

Just like the inaugural edition, the games will serve as a dress-rehearsal for the upcoming 2014 Summer Youth Olympics, which will also be held in the same city.

Tehran.

In an effort to prepare the National youth level teams for upcoming regional and contenintal competetions, the FFIRI anoounced the list of 27 players who are selected to attend the U-19 youth training camp under the supervision of Rahim Meerakhoory.

The selected players list are as follows

Vahid Zolghadr, Maysam  Joudaki, Nader Safarzaei,  Abolfazl Tavakoli, Mehdi  Javadvand, Payam  Niazmand , Mehdi Hosseinzadeh, Siavash Haghnazary, AmirHossein  Alinaghi, Mohsen Ghaybi,  Ali Shojaei, Armin Sohrabian, Milad Sarlak, Mohammad Roshandel, Maysam Labaf,  Parsa Salimi, Ali Fathian, Abdoleza Zarei, Reza Jafari, Saeed Aghaye, MohammadReza Soleimani, Mostafa Zakariyapour, Hassan Dadashi, Mobein Ezzati, Bahman  Jahantigh, Erfan Vejdani  and Mojtaba  Moghtadei

Tabriz

The head coach of Tractorsazi football club of Tabriz had very harsh words for teams that are killing football and the spirit of sportsmanship according to him. Majeed Jalali , one of the most highly respected and qualified Iranian coaches was fuming in the aftermath of his team’s goalless draw against Mess Kerman. In the post-match press conference, Jalali referred to the dozens of time when Mes Kerman players dropped themselves on the pitch faking injury to waste time.

Expressing his anger and disappointment , Jalali said “The Mes Kerman players simply dropped on the ground when we had the ball possession , and expected us  to kick the ball out of bound  so that they are attended to.  After a few times of this repetitive acts, we discovered that we have been fooled and we were suckers for falling to these dirty tricks. These people are killing football. I admit that we have not mastered the proper tactics in playing against such Anti-Football teams.”

On the same subject, Jalali was interviewed today by Mehrnews  football  reporter seeking further clarification on his views which is becoming a hot subject in Iran’s football.  Jalali reiterated his stand and said “The problem is that this anti-football and un-sportsmanship behavior at club level has slowly crept up into Team Melli as well. We criticize Bahrain for grass-rolling and time wasting, but when our beloved teams do it , we tend to accept it. When we played Korea, it was apparent that our players were time wasting. This has happened in previous matches as well at international level. It is natural that players carry the habits of club football up into the national teams.”

“In Iran , they expect  my players to kick the ball out of bound , any time an opposing players drops himself to the ground. They call this sportsmanship behavior (Javanmardi) while in fact ,  most of the time, it is cheating and time wasting. This is becoming very common in Iran, it is encouraged by some coaches, in fact they have developed many tactics to fool the referees and master falling on the ground, especially their forwards to win penalties. It is regrettable and deplorable”

“This Mes Kerman team has mastered anti-football and time wasting tactics. I would never blame Ali Daei and Perspolis players for continuing playing and scoring when one of the Mes Kerman players dropped on the pitch, faking injury nonetheless, when Perspolis had the ball and had a good opportunity to score. I don’t believe that the Football league commission has done enough, if any, to confront the cheaters in our football, and they have also neglected to appreciate the true sportsmanship behavior, which is rare anyway. The League commission should review the matches and encourage true sportsmanship behavior while strongly deal with cheats. “

The controversial subject of so-called sportsmanship behavior has become a hot item of debate , especially after the Perpolis-Mes Kerman match that Majeed Jalali has referred to.  There is undeniable fact , that in the Persian Football league matches, time wasting and faking has become common. There are continuous breaks in action anytime a player falls in the ground. Referees always allow players to be attended on the pitch regardless to the nature of the incident.  FIFA football rules requires the player to be treated outside, except for serious injuries. Only a few have dared to talk about it in Iran football. Ali Daei and Majeed Jalai are the exceptions. The former has already warned the opposing team that his players are under instruction not to stop the game for anyone who drops on the pitch.

Iran’s U17 youth team lost its second match against Sao Paolo Club youth team 0-2 in the 4th Weifang Hope Cup .

The match played this morning Tehran time saw the Brazilian side score an early goal in the 3rd minute as a result of a defensive lapse by the young Iranians. Just before the half time whistle , The Brazilians scored again to make it 2-0.

Although the second half was much better for Iran U17, however , there were always chasing the game with 2 goals down and some nice saves by Sao Paolo goalkeeper prevented Iran from scoring.

Iran U17 coached bt Rahim Meerakhory played yesterday against North Koreans and drew 1-1. It will end the campaign by playing against the American Club Chivas on Wednesday.
Ali Doustimehr , the general manager of Iran youth teams said that this team is in China to gain experience as it lacks playing against strong oppositions. “Results are irrelevant at this stage as we prepare for the FIFA U17 World Cup.”  Doustimehr added “Sao Paolo is a club side and naturally the players have been together for several years creating a good understanding. It is a bit different with selections like ours”

Team Melli U17 will play tits last group match against Chivas club of United State on Wednesday. in the annual International Youth Football Tournament  held in Weifang city, Shandong Province, China

Iran’s U17 youth team was held by North Korea U17 1-1 in the 4th Weifang Hope Cup . The annual International Youth Football Tournament which saw Iran’s first participation is held in Weifang city, Shandong Province, China.

The young Iranian players , played a good first half and managed to threaten the Korean keeper , but the finishing was far from ideal. The first half ended with a stalemate without a goal.

In the second half , Iran was the stronger and the more forceful side with several attacks , but it was North Korea who scored in a classic counter attack move to take the lead. After that goal in the 55th minute, the Koreans were intent with sitting back in a defensive shell. The solid defending worked well for the Koreans right near the end of the game , but Iran’s Babak Abdullahzadeh spoiled the Korean plans when he scored the equalizer in the 82nd minute. There were further scoring opportunities for the young Iranians but none was scored as the match ended in a tie 1-1

Team Melli U17 will face U17  team of Sao Paolo club (Brazil) on Monday 29th at 12:30 Tehran time.