Striker Azmoun moves to Leverkusen earlier than planned.

Leverkusen (DPA)

Football Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen has brought forward the signing of Iranian national striker Sardar Azmoun.

Sunday, 30.01.2022, 16:21 hrs

Sardar Azmoun (r) will move to Leverkusen in the winter. Photo: Dmitri Lovetsky/AP/dpa

Both clubs announced that the 27-year-old will move to the Rhineland in the winter transfer period. “We are happy about the constructive agreement with Zenit and that we can now rely on Sardar’s qualities at an early stage,” said sporting director Simon Rolfes. A week ago, the club had reported the actually transfer-free transfer Azmoun’s for summer as perfect. The goalscorer, who scored 39 goals in 60 international matches and became champion three times in a row with Zenit, signed a contract until 2027 with Bayer Leverkusen.

Meanwhile, Zenit has officially confirmed through their Twitter account. that Sardar will be leaving the club with immediate effect. The club wishes to thank Sardar Azmoun for all the work and dedication that he displayed as a valuable member of the team.

Presenting Sardar’s statistics in the Zenit team, the club wrote: “The striker scored 62 goals and provided 17 assists in 104 games for Zenit. Taking into account the goals he scored for FC Rostov and Rubin Kazan, this striker, along with Wagner (85 goals each), are the top foreign players/scorer in the history of the Russian championship.”
The final part of the message reads: “Zenit Club thanks Sardar Azmoun for his incredible performance, the joy of our joint victories, and the love for Zenit and its fans. “Thank you for everything, Sardar!“

Sardar Azmoun finalized the transfer details for the end of the season with Bayer Leverkusen a few days ago and the player was supposed to play in the German Bundesliga at the start of season 2022/23 in a 5-year contract. However, the news of the Azmoun agreement with Leverkusen spread in the media, angering Zenit managers and making them think of selling the striker to Leverkusen in the same winter transfers window. The 20-year-old striker of the Brazilian International team, “Yuri Alberto”, will replace the Azmoun in Zenit.

Skočić determined to continue winning vs UAE.

Tuesday’s game against the UAE is a formality for Team Melli, but neither Skočić nor the players will be so relaxed as to let their guards down against a team that is still fighting for a place in the play-off.

Skočić is determined to continue his immaculate record and register yet another win in Azadi, which will most probably be without spectators.

The list of absentees is significant including key players like Azmoun, Nourollahi, Beiranvand, Ghayedi Hajsafi, Sayyadmanesh, and Khalilzadeh (suspended). Add to the long-term injury of Morteza Pouraliganji. However, what Skocic has on the bench, cannot be referred to as a depleted team in all sense of the word, it is simply less than the full-strength lineup.

The absence of Shoja’a Khalilzadeh is significant, however. There are several options available for Skocic to fill the gap one of them being the highly rated Esteghlal central defender, Siavaush Yazdani. With a slight reshuffle, Skocic can also use a different format as he can even employ Saeed Ezatollahi in the role of a central defender if he wishes to stick to the old guards.

Between the post, Abedzadeh did himself and Team Melli’s pride against Iraq and should continue occupying the goalkeeper post, however, such assurance cannot be given to the middle of the field. Both Gholizadeh and Ghoddos had a mixed and sometimes below-par match in the last outing. Both missed easy chances to score while their feeding to the forward line was not spectacular either. It was left to Jahanbakhsh to do all the hard work with Ezatollahi supporting the defensive side of things.

While there are apparent concerns on the half-backs, in the last three matches, all the defenders used on the posts played well enough if not perfectly to justify their selection. The question remains on the level of consistency of the half-backs. Nourafakn has shown that he has the quality and can be a forceful offensive asset with his runs on the flank, but he can also be easily caught off guard while defending and has a knack for wild tackles.

The absence of Nourallahi looked quite definitive against Iraq. Ghoddos has not reached the standard that is required at this level of competition. He has little time to make amends and misses like the one against Iraq where all he had to do is place the ball on either side of the goalkeeper, instead of hitting it badly off target, will not ender him to the coaches, or the fans.

Gholizadeh was also disappointing against Iraq. His consistency is suspect while his passing and timing need to be addressed. Both these Team Melli midfielders have the skills and the quality, however, the application and consistency are lacking for whatever reason.

Alireza Jahanbakhsh remains the gem in the crown and at the moment, an indispensable dynamo of the team.

 

Upfront, there is little concern even with Azmoun out of commission. Taremi’s magic is still there and even if he is given a rest day, Ansarifard, Rezaei, or the newcomer Shahab Zahedi can fill the gap with ease.

For the UAE, Bert Van Marwijk will hardly make substantial changes in the lineup except for the forced ones. The services of the players like strikers Ali Mabkhout, Fabio de Lima, and Sebastian Tagliabue are not available due to injuries. The team’s hope upfront is mainly on their former Brazilian Ciao Canedo who scored against Syria and provided an assist too. Team Melli was caught by the pace of the UAE players several times in the last match where Iran won by a solitary goal from Taremi. Khalilzadeh was actually red-carded momentarily, but it was rescinded at the last minute because of an offside just before he committed the foul on Al Mabkhout. Luckily a repeat will not occur on Tuesday as Khalilzadeh and Al Mabkhout will be out of the match.

Ciao Canedo
Ciao Canedo , UAE Striker

Team Melli invited for a friendly international to Japan in June.

Now that Team Melli secured qualification to the finals stages of the FIFA World Cup 2022, the federation has started planning for the next stage and has received offers for friendly international matches.

One of these proposals is the invitation of the Japan Football Federation JFF for a friendly match in Japan on FIFA day in  June this year. Japan, whose qualification to the World Cup is not final yet, has asked for a preparatory game with Team Melli during that period. The final decision on holding this match, despite the request of the Japanese, is still not finalized.

“Some matches are already scheduled for June,” Team Melli head coach  Dragan Skocic said in his latest interview. “We also received an invitation from Japan. Let’s see what happens. There are some scheduling work that needs to be ironed out and many plans to address. The most crucial thing is to be well prepared before we fly to Doha”

Sardar Azmoun may join Bayer Leverkusen as early as next week!

A French journalist claimed that the Iranian striker would terminate his contract this winter and will immediately join the Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen in the winter transfer window.

Zenit striker Sardar Azmoun will terminate his contract with Zenit St Petersburg ahead of schedule and join Leverkusen this winter, RMC Sports correspondent Luis Tanzi reported on Twitter, according to RMC. The German club will most likely pay for the Azmoun contract period.

One week ago, Azmoon signed a contract with Bayer until 2027. The player’s current contract is with Zenit is valid until the summer of 2022. Azmoun has scored 10 goals and provided 4 assists in 21 games for Zenit this season. The Zenit club announced that the player will not attend Zenit training for two weeks and will be in quarantine so that he can regain his health. Thus, the striker of Bayer Leverkusen next season will be absent for two weeks, even in the training sessions of his club team, and will not be available for the Team Melli game against the UAE in FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifiers on Tuesday 1st February.

Allahyra Sayyadmanesh signs for English Championship club Hull City

Hull City FC secure the signature of Iran International Allahyar Sayyadmanesh. The Fenerbahce forward missed Team Melli’s game against Iraq as he had to travel to the UK to complete pre-signing Medical and other formalities.

Hull City hjas been bought by the Turkish entrepreneur Acun Ilicali – who has immediately installed the Georgian coach Shota Avreladze as manager since taking over – has some big deals in mind.

According to the news in Hull Live, Shota Arveladze about Allahyar’s transfer said, “He passed the health checks. He will probably join us on Monday.”

Beating Swansea City 2-0 in the first match under Shota Arveladze management, Hull City adds Allahyar Sayyadmanesh, Fenerbahçe’s player, to its squad. Shota Arveladze, the new coach of Hull City, owned by Acun Ilıcalı, one of the British Championship teams, has officially announced the transfer of Allahyar Sayyadmanesh who watched Hull city beating Swansea from the directors’ box.

Iranian international Sayyadmanesh was one of Ilicali  priorities

The highly-rated 20-year-old who was contracted to Fenerbahce has just returned from an 18-month successful loan in Ukraine with Zorya Luhansk.

 Indeed, Sayyadmanesh is regarded as one of Asian football’s top prospects.

The Tigers are hopeful of concluding the deal for the 18-goal striker before the window shuts on Monday night.

While Iran celebrates a remarkable sporting day, world press is excited by females in Azadi stadium.

There is no denying that it was a momentous occasion for Iran’s sport this week. Iran qualification for the World Cup came a few days after the handball team made the World Cup a few days earlier beating Kuwait. The World Press, however, was more interested in the social aspect of the match in which females were allowed entry into Azadi Stadium, which is always a breath of fresh air. The cameras took hundreds of pictures of beautiful Iranian girls in the stadium and the race to publish them is a story in itself.

Articles after article described the scenes in Azadi, females cheering and celebrating the 6th Team Melli success in the Wild Cup.

Here is a sample article:

  • “I am very happy. This is the first time I have attended a match at Azadi Stadium,” said a 26-year-old civil engineer who gave her name only as Mahya
  • “I wished to have my husband beside me but they said men and women are segregated,” said another female spectator, Golnaz Bahari

TEHRAN: Iranian women were allowed Thursday for the first time in almost three years to attend a football match of their country’s national team in a Tehran stadium.
“I am very happy. This is the first time I have attended a match at Azadi Stadium,” said a 26-year-old civil engineer who gave her name only as Mahya. She carried the national green, white and red flag, and covered her head with a grey scarf.

The Islamic republic has generally barred female spectators from football and other stadiums for around 40 years. Clerics, who play a major role in decision-making, argue women must be shielded from the masculine atmosphere and sight of semi-clad men.
World football’s governing body FIFA ordered Iran in September 2019 to allow women access to stadiums without restriction and in numbers determined by the demand for tickets.

A month later women were able to attend a 2022 World Cup qualifying match between Iran and Cambodia in Azadi Stadium.
For the first match since then, 2,000 of the 10,000 tickets were exclusive to women on Thursday for the 2022 World Cup qualifier between Iran and Iraq, ISNA news agency reported.


“I bought the tickets online and got an SMS confirming it,” Mahya said, adding that “if we win, we will go celebrate the victory in the streets.”
She got her wish, witnessing a 1-0 home side win over Iraq.
“There is nothing strange or complicated” about a woman going to the stadium, said Mahya.
“It should have happened earlier,” she said. “I hope that this will continue.”
The female fans entered through a special entrance via a car park, controlled by policewomen wearing black chador robes and red badges on their arms.
“I wished to have my husband beside me but they said men and women are segregated,” said another female spectator, Golnaz Bahari, 24.
“It will be a lot better if families can come together,” said Bahari, carrying her child in one hand and a vuvuzela horn in the other.
Iran’s female fans sat behind the Iraqi goal.

Wearing thick coats against winter’s chill, some had the national colors painted on their cheeks, and many carried Iranian flags or horns in the national colors.
They sat apart from the men but united with them in supporting their side, with shouts of “Iran! Iran!” drowning out the few fans from Iraq. The two countries were at war for years in the 1980s.

The 2019 FIFA directive, under threat of Iran’s suspension, came after a fan named Sahar Khodayari died after setting herself on fire outside a court in fear of being jailed for trying to attend a match.

Dubbed “Blue Girl” because of the colors of the club she supported — Esteghlal FC — she had reportedly been detained in 2018 when she tried to enter a stadium while dressed as a boy.

Her death sparked an outcry, with many calling for Iran to be banned and matches boycotted.
Since Iran’s Islamic Revolution in 1979, women have borne the brunt of swift changes in the nation’s moral codes.
Women are subject to a strict dress code, and while deemed more liberal than that of many Arab countries, Iranian legislation since the revolution has been criticized as detrimental to women in cases of marriage, divorce, and inheritance.

Women may hold high positions, including in parliament and the government, but cannot serve as judges and have not been allowed to run for president.
FIFA had been pushing for years for Iran to open its stadiums to women, but Tehran had until 2019 only allowed a limited number of them to attend matches on rare occasions.
Since October 2019, when women last attended a national match, Covid-19 restrictions put an end to attendance by any fans — until Thursday.

Iran v. Iraq Players Performance.

Amir ABEDZADEH: Hardly put a foot wrong. The few threats that came from the Iraqi forwards were dealt with in confidence and with little trouble. His ball distribution is quite good as well. Abedzadeh is definitely proving himself as the number one keeper of Team Melli [8.0]

Shojaa KHALILZADEH: Like always, a firm and strong performance. He does slip sometimes and the yellow card he got near the end was totally needless, but no denying that Shoja’a is an asset for Team Melli [8.0]

Hossein KANANI-ZADEGAN: Although he had a quiet game, his solid work in the heart of the defense was noticible, He could have been on the scoresheet only if his header was a little lower [7.5]

Sadegh MOHARRAMI: The problems that Team Melli had on the half-backs is surely being addressed by the inclusion of Moharrami. He adds finesse to defending, perhaps a bit more physical toughness is required in the big games, otherwise a pretty solid game [7.5]

Omid NOORAFKAN: Although he is not playing in his natural post, Noorafakn is turning into a utility player for Team Melli as he can fill in for halfback and midfield. HIs runs on the flank were delightful and created a real threat. His defense work was also error-free [8.0]  

Ali GHOLIZADEH: Not his usual immaculate performance. He had several chances to make a big difference in the game including a chance to score. In any case, he was slightly lower than average but did what was required [7.0]

Saeid EZZATOLLAHI: Quiet game but his physicality is a real asset. Surprisingly not too involved in the dead balls and corners with his height being an advantage. He is now much more comfortable in the team lineup. [7.0]

Vahid AMIRI: Not his best match and created a real scare with his feeble pass near the end of the match, however, Amiri remains a valuable player and despite his advancing age, his energy level is remarkable.[7.0]

Saman GHODDOS: The Brantford midfielder was disappointing. Not only he missed several chances to score, Time is running out for Ghoddod to make a real impression in Team Melli. He certainly has the talent and skill, but the application is just not there [6.0]

AliReza JAHANBAKHSH: By far the best player on the pitch today performance-wise. Commanding, leadership, shooting, impressive delicacy and skill., ball control, and all the attributes of a great player. Jahanbakhsh is on a real revival and this augurs well for Team Melli. Today it was a true grand performance [9.0]

Mehdi TAREMI: The goal he scored that took Team Melli to the World Cup, was a work of a clinical finisher that Taremi is. Considering he had only a few hours to sleep arriving in the early hours of the morning, Taremi deserves respect for showing up and giving the fans the joy that they deserve. Brilliant goal and extra credit for the Porto forward [9.0]

 

Dragan Skočić : Another grand performance. Immaculate players selection, the proper game plan, timely change of pace of the team, and level-headed approach. Dragan Skocic has queir=ten a few thousand doubters by his performance and taking the team to the World Cup, a mission which seemed to be quite tricky when he took over. [9.0]

Iran confirm Qatar 2022 berth

the-afc.com
Tehran: The Islamic Republic of Iran booked the first AFC ticket to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 with a third consecutive win in Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar, beating neighbours Iraq 1-0 at Azadi Stadium on Thursday.
The result sees Team Melli go back to top the group after Korea Republic had temporarily snatched the lead with a win against Lebanon earlier in the day, the Iranians building an unassailable lead at the top that pulled them past the finish line with three games to go.
Both teams were lively from the off with chances coming as early as the sixth minute when Omid Noorafkan got a shot following a good pass from Alireza Jahanbakhsh, but Iraq’s Fahad Talib fisted the ball away for a corner.

At the other end just a few minutes later, Aymed Hussein got a header on Bashar Resan’s delivery from the flank, but an alert and well positioned Amir Abedzadeh held the ball, with the following attack seeing Jahanbakhsh’s long range shot take a bounce before hitting the post, in what was an exhilarating opening 12 minutes.

With 25 minutes on the clock, Talib pulled off a magnificent double save after Jahanbakhsh’s shot was spilled into Mehdi Taremi’s path, with the FC Porto striker’s shot going straight at the Iraqi keeper’s fists to be sent away. Vahid Amiri also got a shot seconds later, but that was deflected behind for a corner by Talib.

Talib’s heroics showed no signs of stopping when Ali Gholizadeh, unchecked, was in on goal following a magnificent long pass from the other side of the pitch by Jahanbakhsh, yet the former’s shot was yet again saved by the Iraqi keeper, capping off an electrifying opening 45 minutes

The deadlock was finally broken just two minutes after the break, when Ahmad Ibrahim attempted to intercept but missed Jahanbakhsh’s low through ball, allowing Taremi a clear path on goal with the Team Melli forward dinking it just above Talib to pull his country ahead.

Saman Ghoddos almost doubled IR Iran’s lead when Taremi’s feigned run between the two central defenders as Moharrami played the former through, allowing the Brentford FC man to take a low shot from close range that skimmed past the post.

The Lions of Mesopotamia threatened to equalize with 15 minutes left on the clock after substitute Hasan Abdulkareem fired a stinging low shot that was saved by Abedzadeh, but fell into the path of Huseein who could not get a clean touch on it.

The result sees Iraq remain in fifth place with four points, with IR Iran topping the group with 19 points. Iraq faces Lebanon away in four days, while Dragan Skocic’s men will remain in Tehran to take on the United Arab Emirates on the same day.

Sixth World Cup and third consecutive for Team Melli.

Team Melli sealed its qualification to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 with a 1-0 win against Iraq. The only goal was scored by Mehdi Taremi early in the second half.

With three more matches to play, Iran now can safely and comfortably plan for the next stages and a World Next Door in Qatar.

This qualification which seemed so easy with three matches to spare, was nothing like that under a shaky coach in the beginning.  Iran stuttered in the first qualifiers and suffered two consecutive defeats by Bahrain and Iraq under Marc Wilmots, By the end of the second round halfway stage, Iran was third in the group and in danger of elimination. But after the Belgian failure left not to return back again, a Croat with little fame and claim guided Team Melli to glory. Everything was rosy and Team Melli under Dragan Skocic who hardly put a foot wrong despite doubters and skeptics made it comfortably to the greatest football show on earth.

CONGRATULATIONS to Team Melli.

The sixth qualification for the finals of the World Cup and the third consecutive one.

  1. 1978
  2. 1998
  3. 2006
  4. 2014
  5. 2018
  6. 2022

 

At last, Taremi lands in Tehran and available for the match against Iraq

Tehran :

Mehdi Taremi, who was stranded in Turkey for days after his flight to Tehran via Istanbul was diverted due to a severe snowstorm in Istanbul airport, finally landed in Tehran early morning Thursday.

The Iranian  Porto striker underwent the PCR test and the result returned negative after arriving in Iran and hence Taremi is available for selection for the match against Iraq.

Due to fatigue and other issues, Dragan Skocic, might very well opt to use Taremi as a substitute rather than in the starting lineup. The technical staff, due to the absence of many of their players, made a great effort to ensure the availability of Mehdi Taremi for this match.

Team Melli will still be deprived of 3 key players, Azmoun, Nourollahi, and Hajsafi.