Tehran – Azadi Stadium.

Team Melli ended the match with Qatar in the Round 4 of FIFA World Cup Asian Zone Qualifiers with a goal-less draw at a capacity crowd in Azadi.

The vociferous crowed who packed the stadium were not enough to shake the Qatari resolve and the strictly defensive plans of the Brazilian coach of Qatar paid dividends for his team as they achieved their objective of coming out of this battle with a point in the bag.

On the other hand, Carlos Queiroz started this match with his strongest possible side which was a far cry from the Uzbekistan match. Team Melli easily controlled the proceeding and forced their style. The passing and some good running created several scoring opportunities for Team Melli. However , only one of those were serious enough to shake the Qatari’s and that was when Nekounam rattled the upright with a wonderful volley in the first half.

The strategy of Queiroz was based on crossing the balls from the right flank into the box. This scenario continued through the match. In the second half not a single cross from the flanks created any threat on the towering Qatar goalkeeper Mohammed Burhan , who had a n excellent match despite his usual time wasting antics. Karim Ansarifard seemed to be a lonely figure in the central forward role as the tight marking and poor deliveries of these crosses left him isolated and ineffective.

Team Melli insisted on that futile plan, despite its failure to yield any result or create serious threats. At no stage was there any alternative plan such as penetration from the center, or slicing defenses by one two exchanges, to break the solid Qatar defense.  Introducing the last gasp winner of Uzbakistan match, Mohammad Reza Khalatbari in the second half in place of HajSafy and then Ashkan Dejageh , scorer of 2 goals against Qatar in his debut , although strengthend the offensive power of Team Melli , it failed to yield result.

From onset of the match , Paulo Atouri plan was based on very tight defense and packing the midfield not allowing the Iranians to operate freely or create threats, while depending on the skilful Khalfan Ibrahim’s pace to creat counter attacks  The Qatari players executed that plan quite well, and apart from a few scares, they managed to hold tight and achieve their objectives. In the forst half , Rahmati was put to work for the fiorst and only time inthe match , when he parried a powerful header from a Qatari player.

After what many observers called a lucky win in Tashkent, this is the second consecutive match where the Portuguese coach has failed to impress. Although the performance has improved it was simply not good enough to break the defense of a team that was humiliated a few days ago by South Korea , Iran’s main opposition in the group. There is a gap developing already between the Koreans and the rest of the pack who are now leading the group with a perfect record from two wins.

For Team Melli , there is a period of 3 months to work out the faults and fill the gaps. What is quite clear at this stage is that Carlos Queiroz, despite his reputation and track record, is quite far off  building a solid and reliable team that can comfortably be considered as a contenders. This is a match of two points lost , rather than one gained and the road is not going to be easier.

The next opposition is the bottom team, Lebanon, but even playing this low ranked team , is a challenge for this team and full points are not assured.

Iran 0 – 0 Qatar

FIFA World Cup Qualification – Asian Zone – Round 4\Group A.

Azadi Staduim, Tehran

Starting line-up

Iran: 1 Seyed RAHMATI (GK); 2 Khosro HEYDARI , 13 Hossein MAHINI (-54′ 21 Ashkan DEJAGAH ), 23 Mehrdad POULADI, 3 Ehsan HAJI SAFI (46′ 9 Mohammad KHALATBARI), 4 Seyed HOSSEINI , 5 Hadi AGHILI , 6 Javad NEKONAM (C) , 8 Ali KARIMI , 10 Karim ANSARI (-90’+1 17 Mazyar ZARE ), 14 Andranik TIMOTIAN

Substitutes 7 Mohsen FOROOZAN , 9 Mohammad KHALATBARI ,11 Gholam REZAEI , 12 Shahabaldin GORDAN , 15 Pejman MONTAZERI , 16 Shojae KHALILZADEH, 17 Mazyar ZARE ,18 Pejman NOURI , 19 Abolghasem DEHNAVI, 20 Mohammad EBRAHIMI , 21 Ashkan DEJAGAH , 22 Alireza HAGHIGHI

Qatar: 1 Qasem BURHAN (GK) ,3 MOHAMMED Kasola , 6 Adel MOHAMMED (-45’+1 5 Majdi SIDDIQ), 7 Younes RAHMATI , 9 Junior MARCONE , 10 Ibrahim Khalfan , 11 FABIO CESAR (-90’+3 20 Yousef Ahmad Ali), 13 Ibrahim ABDULMAJED ,14 Ibrahim AL GHANIM (C), 15 Talal ALBLOUSHI, 23 Andres QUINTANA

Substitutes 2 Hamid KHALEEFA , 4 Khaled SALEH 5 Majdi SIDDIQ ,  8 Mesaad AL HAMAD,  12 Mohamed ABDELAZIZ , 16 Mohammed RAZARAK , 17 Hasan Al Haydos ,  18 Mohamed EL SAYED , 19 Khaled MUFTAH , 20 Yousef Ahmad Ali ,  21A hmed ABONORA ,  22 Baba MALEK

Officials Referee: GREEN Peter

Assistant Referee 1: HOBSON Brad

Assistant Referee 2: MAT DAUD Mohd

Fourth official: ABDUL WAHAB Mohd

Ali Kafashian says: “We will not always be lucky.”. The Head of Iran football federation has given this message to the players and coach of Team Melli. After the match against Uzbekistan national , many talked about Team Melli’s fortunate luck in winning all the 3 points. Kaffashian found it appropriate to respond to that. He emphasized that Team Melli must show grit and skills to win the match in Azadi on Tuesday. He also warns the players not to dream about the World Cup because too early to do so at this stage and the road is long and winding.

Iranian news agnecy , ISNA quoted the Ali Kafashian on the eve of the match in a brief interview.

* Mr. Kafashian Today we are playing Qatar and there are talks about you being under stress.

– (Laughter.) I am under stress before any Team Melli game, this one is no exception.

* Do you think we will we beat Qatar?

– God willing … We will certainly try our best. All the players realize the importance of this particular game and be rest assured that the players and the coaching staff will put their efforts in order to win this match.

* Before the match against Uzbekistan national team, you predicted a win for Team Melli. It sees that your predications are accurate nowadays.

Hopefully the same will happen this time as I predict a win for us. But who told you that I I’m good in predicting!? I never was good in predictions, but this time, I’m predicting our team will win. One thing is very important for me in today’s game. The team should play a good game and win convincingly at home ground. A good and solid performance coupled with a victory,  will give the squad a confidence boost. We must show our strength and this requires hard work and a strong performance, not just a win.

* After the first game there was the majority were critical of the team and the common belief was that the win was fortunate. However , Queiroz said that he wants to take the team to the World Cup, even by fortune and good luck. What is your opinion about this?

I always believe that good fortune is not always on the side of a team or a person. That is why we should not think that will always be lucky. Perhaps we should go forward with strength, just like the teams from Japan and South Korea. Look at these two teams, they are powerful , systematic and have good foundation without depending on luck or good fortune. These countries have invested in their football structure. We must admit that we have fallen quite short in investment in football and I do not see it forthcoming in Iran. In terms of human resources , we are not falling short from the East Asian countries , in fact I can proudly say that we have some better players than the Japanese and the Koreans , where we fall short is in investment and nourishing these talents the way those countries do.  If we manage to emulate them, we can be successful.

* You had a meeting with Carlos Queiroz. What is the status of the team ahead of the game today?

Yes, everything is fine. So far, whatever Mr. Queiroz has asked for the national team, we have provided it. Our goal is to fully support the team and ensure optimum preparation in order to continue its success. Hopefully . We  (IFF) will also meet the future demands whatever Mr. Queiroz. Let me tell you that the players are very confident and highly motivated for the match this evening.

* If you win the next two games, do you think that we have qualified for World Cup finals?

No, definitely No. There is a long way to the end of the competition. If you think that with three games won, we have qualified,  is a big mistake. I think we must fight until the last day of with all our strength and capability, the competition is over when we achieve the required points for qualification.

* It seems the team does not have future plan. Are there any plans for the national team before the game with Lebanon in Beirut? Is there a camp in Europe?

Everything has already been determined. We have already moved forward in the program. Mr. Queiroz has the final authority on the team planning including where the camp will be set up and he will announce it at due course.

* These days, Mr. Queiroz is highly sensitive about the team . A Perspolis Club representative took two of the club players from the camp to sign a contract , without consulting Queiroz.  He is reported to be furious , Are you aware of this subject? .

Queiroz has said nothing about this nor did he complain to me. However , I shall discus that matter with him in due time. So far I do not have any further information.

* Can we say that the days of the Federation running out of funds are over or not?

We have been actively pursuing the ministry of sports for them to provide funding in order to maintain our activities and seeking  operations budget. However, the team is currently in need of support and protection. The Sports minister said many times before, that they will support Queiroz program. I hope soon we get to your budget and move forward.

* Are you following the European Championship matches?

Yes, I’m more or less following them. If I have time, I watch the games on television.

* Which team do you support in the euro?

I am a a supporter of Team Melli.

* What about the Euro?

No, I’m totally in favor of Iranian football.

* Don’t you support Portugal?

I support teams which play good football. It sometimes happens that a team plays well and yet lose. Germany has invested in two or three decades and now their investment is paying off. They have a good team . Portugal has not lost against a poor team. Theywere also slightly lucky against Portugal.

Tehran:

In the pre-match press conference , Iran coach Carlos Queiroz was cautious in his statements while being wary of facing a Qatar side recovering from a heavy home defeat in the Tuesday’s 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier at Azadi Stadium .

Queiroz is not underestimating Qatar team , which drew with Iran twice in the last round of the same competetions

“We have full respect for their technical staff and the players. We are professional enough not to underestimate any rivals and Qatar wouldn’t be an exception. I am convinced they have brought along all their weapons to Tehran and we’re also fully prepared to face them,” said the Portuguese coach.

“I am sure you will see a different face of Qatar when we take on them on Wednesday. They’re here to make amends for the home loss they suffered and we’re quite wary of that.”

Team Melli will be without Mojtaba Jabari due to injury after the Esteghlal midfielder was withdrawn with 15 minutes remaining against Uzbekistan.

“We are pretty confident ahead of the game against Qatar. There’s been some talk and comments on how many attacks we devised against Uzbekistan and how many scoring chances we created, but when you finally seal your place in Brazil 2014, nobody cares about how many chances you created or missed during qualification,” added Queiroz, who has guided Iran on an eight match unbeaten streak during the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

“They played against Korea Republic and we rested, but we don’t know which players they are going to field tomorrow afternoon. If they name the same team, then you can say their players might be fatigued due to tight schedule they have had.”

Qater coach Paulo Autuori, meanwhile, insists his side have put Friday’s heavy defeat behind them and are out to make amends at Azadi Stadium.

“I’m aware it’s going to be tough, a tough match. Additionally, I know that Iran and Korea Republic are the favourites in Group A to qualify for the World Cup, but we’re here to astonish everyone by winning a slot in Brazil 2014,” said the Brazilian coach.

“Tomorrow will be difficult for us to play Iran, but different from the match against Korea. Fortunately, we’ve recovered well from the 4-1 defeat and are in good spirits and good physical condition to confront Iran at the Azadi stadium.”

“It is easy to talk about reasons for a defeat,” added Autuori. “We already analysed that match and conveyed our message to players.

“Tomorrow is a different arena for us and we have completely prepared ourselves to face a big team like Iran.”

In a surprise announcement, the Portuguese coach of Team Melli, Carlos Queiroz categorically denied any conversation occurring between himself and coach of Al Wasl club , Diego Maradona. The Argentine coach has claimed that Queiroz has verbally abused him and has been disrespectful towards him during a telephone conversation between them on the subject of release of Iranian player Mohammad Reza Khalatbari for a club match in Dubai.

Carlos Queiroz issued an official statement though the Iranian Football Federation in which he regretted the accusation that has been published in the media and denied any such conversation occurring between him and Maradona and furthermore, he had no discussion or conversation with any Al Wasl club officils regarding the player’s release or any other matters.

Queiroz was surprised by such claims circling in the media and insisted that he does not believe that Maradona would go on record claiming that such an conversation has occurred , which is far from truth.

Earlier press reports have claimed that Maradona was upset by Queiroz attitude towards him when Maradona asked for Khalabari’s release. Related post

Related post

Maradona claims Queiroz abuse.

Qatar national football team arrived at Tehran on Sunday evening in preparation for their World Cup Qualification Asian Zone match against Team Melli on Tuesday 12th June, The Qatari team is without their influential Captain Wessam Rizk who is suspended after receiving a yellow card in the match against Korea Rep. making him illegible for the encounter in Azadi Stadium. The other absentee in Qatar team will be Jarallah Al Merri , who is on the injured list , while another players , Lawrence , is still undergoing treatments and might be doubtful for the match on Tuesday.

 Meanwhile , Paulo Autuori’s men were given a morale boosting lecture by the Brazilin coach in which he asked the players to completely forget the Korea match defeat and make a fresh start starting coming Tuesday. Although many in Qatar believe that a draw against the Persians in Tehran will be a great result, as they managed to achieve this before in February in Paulo Autuori’s first match in charge of the team. However , the Brazilian intends to go for all the three points. He claims that there is no point in settling for a draw at this stage of the competition . In the process , Autuori  is planning to make several changes for the match against Iran focusing on the offensive side.

 It was noted that several players suffered from fatigue in the last match against Korea Rep. The match in Azadi will be the third for Qatar in 10 days. Physical condition of the Qatar players will be a serious issue on Tuesday.

Meanwhile in the Team Melli training camp . news has filtered through that Pejman Montazeri is back training with the team after the initial fear that he tore a hamstring muscle. The Esteghlal defender  is on a special training program to prepare him for the match. Ando Teymourian , who was amongst several players who had a touch of cold and got a mandatory rest , is also back on training. There still no confirmation from the camp on the status of Ashkan Dejageh and whether he will be available for selection on Tuesday.

The controversial Al Wasl Argentinee coach Diego Maradona xlaimed that he copped some ‘harsh words’ from Team Melli’s coach Carlos Queiroz, after they clashed over Mohammad Reza Khalatbari’s availability for a match.

Queiroz rejected Maradona’s request to release Khalatbari from international duty for Sunday’s Gulf Club Championship final second leg against Al Muharraq sheduled to be played in Dubai.

Maradona had hoped the Iran international, who scored the winner in Team Melli’s opening 1-0 away victory over Uzbekistan, would be available for selection in Dubai. He ingnored the fact that FIFA rule that international players must be released to their national teams at least 3 days prior to an offcial match.

However, Queiroz rejected his request, as Iran prepare for Tuesday’s 2014 World Cup qualifier at home to Qatar.

“I called Carlos personally to request him for the release of this player for this game but he flatly refused and had some very harsh words at me. This was uncalled for,”  Diego Maradona told reporters in Dubai ahead of the second leg.

There was no independent confirmation to Maradona’s claim nor was there any public response from Carlo Queiroz on the subject. However , Queiroz would have been under severe criticism if he had agreed to the release of Khalatbary for a worthless and meaningless club match while Iran is involved in a crucial World Cup qualification match.

On the other hand, Carlos Queiroz was himself ultra-critical when Sepahan , Esteghlal and Perspolis were invloved in the AFC Champions League matches and did not release their players for the Team Melli camp.  Maradona . it seems ,  was oblivious to these fact

It would be quite a rare occasions in Team Melli history if a player starts  his career against the same opposition in two consecutive times in competitive matches. Ashkan Dejageh , the German based Iranian player , will achieve such feat if he proves his full fitness to Carlo Queiroz comes Tuesday June , 12th and starts the match against Qatar.

Dejageh has not featured in the Team Melli matches, all of which were friendlies against low ranked teams. He was selected for the match against Uzbekistan in the first of Round 4 matches , but a niggling injury prevented him from making an appearance.

Ashkan Dejajeh was sorely missed in that match as Team Melli played one of its weakest matches for a long time , and thanks to the last minute deep into injury time goal scored by Khalatbari and assisted by Ansarifard , which saved Iran’s blushes.

While most of the team did not click and played with flaws, (the goalkeeper excluded) ,  it was the midfield where Team Melli suffered most from weaknesses. None of the midfield players  managed to play any role in controlling the match and time after time , Nekounam , Teymourian , Jabbari failed to match the Uzbeks speed , stamina and filed control. Team Melli midfield players lacked creativity and failed in dominating.

Team Melli’s Portuguese coach is desperate to arrest the slide in performances which began with the loss against Albania. He knows that two bad games constitute a mini-crisis, especially when the majority expects a full 3 points from the match against Qatar in Azadi. South Korea has already sounded the alarm by defeating Qatar in Doha convincingly and emphatically 4-1.

The Expectations are quite high and Ashkan Dejageh could find himself in the limelight and a crucial figure in the team. A repeat performance against the Qatari’s on Tuesday will be quickly elevate Dejageh status amongst the fans and if he scores , this would be another unique record for a Team Melli player , scoring in first two competitive matches.

While a single player cannot possibly cover all the weaknesses of the team, however Dejageh’s experience, skill and creativity will go a long way in improving the performance and leading the team to all the three points.

Ashkan Dejageh is currently training with the squad in Team Melli camp , but a final verdict on him is not expected until shortly before kick off on Tuesday.

IFF has announced that two friendly matches has been finalized on Tuesday , 4th August against Syria and Tuesday 9th October against North Korea ahead of the FIFA World Cup qualification matches with Lebanon and Korea Republic.

Team Melli will be hosting these two matches in Azadi stadium.

These two matches willl be good tests for Team Melli facing two crucial matches. The friendly against Syria will act as a good test run for the Lebanon match as both the teams play similar style of football.

North Korea , always a difficult opponent to beat and a solid defnsive team will be a real test juat ahead of the defiiong match against South Korea. The North Koreans have never beaten Iran , but they have never been easy opponents either in the 21 matches that have been played between the two nations.

Iran last met North Korea in the group stages of the Asian Cup 2011 in Doha , Qatar and managed to defeat the Koreans by a solitary goal scored by Karim Ansarifard.

The central defender of Team Melli who played a full match against Uzbekistan in the 1-0 victory in Tashkent , has suffered a major blow when medical tests diagnosed him as having  hamstring problems which requires anything up to 5 weeks to fully recover.

This is a blow for the Esteghlal defemder who was one of the few outstanding players in the first match of FIFA World Cup Round 4 qualification. This injury will mean he will miss the Qatar game and possibly the start of the new league season .

On the other hand , Ashkan Dejageh is still on the injury list and his chances of playing the next match against Qatart in Azadi stadium is about 50/50.

Team Melli injury list also includes Mojtaba Jabbari who was listed as doubtfull for the next match. Although Jabbari is not confirmed , he has not trained with the team since theri return back from Tashkent.

Team Melli has risen 7 places in the latest FIFA ranking published today. June 2012 ranking of 45 is the second best that Iran has achieved this year since January ranking of 44 in the world.

The other Asian teams of significant rise was Japan which also has risen  7 places to 23rd while Australia has dropped 3 spots to 24th right after Japan. Iran remains the 4th in Asia After South Korea in the 35th  place.

The other teams in Iran’s World Cup qualification matches suffered mixed fortunes. Uzbekistan gained 4 places to rise to 66 , while Qatar dropped 7 places to 91. Lebanon suffered a steep fall losing 14 places to be ranked at 143 in FIFA Ranking.