Zeljko Petrovic is desperate but determined.

Zeljko Petrovic has had an eventful debut as Iraq national coach. After a tumultuous end, the successor to the resigned Dick Advocaat drew 1-1 against Oman in the FIFA Arab Cup. After ninety minutes of play, Iraq still faced a 1-0 deficit in the Qatari Al Wakrah stadium.

A penalty called for Iraq in the 96th minute seemed to be the saviour and would prevent a defeat after all. Aymen Hussain took that spot kick and missed, but Petrovic had seen that the Oman goalkeeper had come off his line too early. The coach furiously stormed into the field and started prtesting to the referee in a graphic manner.  He  was right, as the VAR decided that the Omani Keeper made an illegal move and the penalty had to be retaken. Iraq scored the equalizer from the repeated penalty kick.

The excitement facing the Montenegrin coach of Iraq in the Middle East seems to have no end. Zeljko Petrovic was the right-back of the Yugoslavia team that faced Iran in the Stade Geoffroy Guichar , Saint-Etienne in Group D of the FIFA World Cup 1998. The East Europeans defeated Iran with a solitary goal scored by Milosovic in the 72nd minute. In the pre-match press confrence, Petrovic was reminded of that match by a lady reporter. He was surprised and apprecieted the sharp remark of the reporter and acknowldeged that match and how he was assigned to control Mehdi Mahdivikia.

History aside, Petrovic concern is rather immidiate. He is desperate to get all the three points of the match against Iran in Azadi, a mission that seems to be as far fetched as he can imagine. But the Tough man is not one that quits so easily and despite the slim chances, especialiiy with a depleted team and his main striker missing among many other players, he will hardly let Iran have an easy game like the last time the two have met.

He spoke about his team’s limitations due to the absence of some of his team players, such as the Iranian national team, which does not have several players:

“Four of our players are infected with the Corona virus. We are experiencing a difficult situations. It is a problem for both teams, but it is easier for Iran because they are the hosts and they can manage this problem. We are testing now and we are worried about the results.”

“Yesterday, we were really glad that Bashar and Amjad, joined us. Yesterday, the Amjad test was also positive. On the other hand, we had the problem that some of our players were stuck in Turkey and they only managed to arrive late today. All we can do is have a good perspective. It is not right to weave negatively. What has happened is in accordance with the law of nature, and it is only a bigger problem for us than Iran. Because Iran, along with South Korea, are certain to qualify for the World Cup. It is our team that is struggling with these big problems to get the third place. The players we lost were among our key players,” Petrovic said. “The current problem is global, and we try to add motivated players to tomorrow’s game who have the best performance.”

It seems that both the teams have faced simiular problem, but Petrovic is a great motivator and will be looking to give Iran a tough game.

Zeljko Petrovic  in Yugoslavia jersey against Iran in Stade Geoffroy Guichar , Saint-Etienne

Skocic “The conditions are not ideal”

Dragan Skocic, in the pre-match press conference, said: “It is definitely not an ideal situation, but if my players stick to the plan and give it their best, we can finish the game successfully.”

 “As you know, tomorrow’s game is very important because we can seal our qualification. I saw the Iraq games in the FIFA Arab Cup. I know they are a young and tough team. Conditions are not ideal for us. We do not have 4 players due to Positive PCR tests. Mehdi Taremi has not joined us yet. However, our players are ready and capable. The team that we have is good enough.”

Asked about the next games and what changes he is implementing “My main concern is tomorrow’s game. After this game, we think about other games and how we can move forward. We will definitely have changes in the team. Each player who plays has his own unique characteristics. That’s why we may not appear with the usual squad, but I’m sure all the players will play with all their strength and we can get off the field with our heads held up high.”

Commenting on the invitation of Hossein Kananizadegan, who is sanctioned by the disciplinary committee for inappropriate and divisive comments he made, and how this situation differs from Taremi’s disciplinary action, He said ” I must say that moral principles are very important for my team and for myself. If there is one thing that is a priority, it is ethics, discipline, and behavior. We must be careful because we represent our country. I do not agree with such alleged behavior, and this behavior may be far from honorable on the part of this player, but at the same time,  we have not received any credible evidence or instructions from the disciplinary committee on his case. It seems like the case is still open and being discussed in the ethics committee. I do not want to punish or judge anyone for talking in cyberspace and Instagram and retaliate prematurely. This situation was an opportunity to know our responsibility to the country and the people and to be careful about our behavior, and this is a lesson for others to be careful that this does not happen. “

For the record, Taremi was disciplined by Skocic for commenting on social media, which Skocic just said he must be careful not to punish a player on that basis. It is a case of double-standard in fairness.

The Croat Head coach then talked about Azmoun’s case and Zenit’s opposition to Sardar joining the national team camp and also the possibility of adding Azmoun and Hajjasfi to the squad for the UAE match: “This club (Zenit) can not do that. Our game is on FIFA Day and the club has no rights whatsoever to stop a national team player from joining his National Team. We have to review the FIFA & AFC rules regarding players who recover from a positive test and the subsequent tests prove negative. The players you mentioned are not available to us right now. We have to see if we can use them for the next game. “

“Every coach brings new things to the team,” Skocic said of his knowledge of the current Iraqi coach, Željko Petrović from Montenegro, who previously played for Dinamo Zagreb and also coached in Croatia for some time. “He (Petrović ) has rejuvenated his team. When he played for Dynamo, I was in Rijeka and I have a history of facing him.”

“Our team is ready and we know what we want from tomorrow’s game.” He was asked whether the substitutes in his team will have the same quality as the absent players and whether we will see a surprise selection in Team Melli. “I do not think the unexpected will happen,” he said. “We are still one night away from the game and it will be a long night for me to reach the final conclusion. It is clear that the Azmoun is difficult to replace. With these interpretations, the team that will be fielded will be on the game with all its energy and we will have the necessary quality. “

In response to whether the Football Federation could not have done better planning for the presence of players in the national team so that players like Mehdi Tarmi in Turkey would not be caught due to the weather? “The issue you are talking about is the federation’s duty to plan, and I know they did their best,” he said. “Taremi is our key player. I do not specialize in weather forecasting and for this, I am not in a press conference”

Iran v. Iraq match preview.

the-afc.com
Tehran: Iran could celebrate qualification to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on Thursday if they beat neighbors Iraq when the two sides lock horns at Azadi Stadium in Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar.
 
 
Unbeaten in Group A, hosts IR Iran leads the group with 16 points, two ahead of the second-placed Korea Republic and a whole 10 points clear of the UAE in third. Meanwhile, Iraq are yet to celebrate their first win in the group and languish in fifth place with four points.
 
 
A home win against their arch-rivals would put coach Dragan Skočić’s men at least 10 points clear of third place with just nine points remaining to compete for, confirming a place at the FIFA World Cup for the third time in a row for Team Melli. All hope is not lost for the Lions of Mesopotamia, who remain just two points adrift of the playoff qualifying third-place currently occupied by the UAE, and a win on Thursday could see them leapfrog the Emiratis with three games to go.

Porto FC striker Mehdi Taremi returns to Skočić’s squad after missing out last time but his participation in the match is in doubt as he is still stuck in Turkey, while all of captain Ehsan Hajsafi, Majid Hosseini, Sardar Azmoun and Ahmed Nourollahi tested positive for COVID-19 and were replaced by Persepolis FC holding midfielder Kamal Kamyabinia, as well as Aref Aghasi and Soroush Rafiei.Fenerbahce youngster Allahyar Sayyadmanesh remains a doubt.

 

The Iraqi camp has not fared better in terms of absences, with Rebin Sulaka, Amjad Attwan and Ali Fayez testing positive for COVID-19.

On a brighter note, Manchester United wonderkid Zidane Iqbal is in line to make his senior international debut, potentially forming an exciting forward line with youngster Ali Al Hammadi, but with doubts on Aymen Hussein’s availability for the second game against Lebanon.

The two sides met in the reverse fixture back in September, and Team Melli came out comfortable 3-0 winners, but a lot has changed since that match for the Lions of Mesopotamia, who have appointed former head coach Dick Advocaat’s assistant Zeljko Petrovic with a mission to revive the 2007 AFC Asian Cup champions’ fortunes.
IR IRAN v IRAQ
Venue: Azadi Stadium, Tehran
Kick-off: 18:00 hours (UTC+3:30)
 

Latest PCR tests results

The PCR test of two players Team Melli players was negative and these two players will leave for Iran to play against the UAE.

One day before the match against Iraq Iraq, the test results of Saradar Azmoun and Ehsan Haj Safi were negative. These two players can now fly to Tehran to prepare for the match against the UAE. Of course, these two legionnaire players will not be available for the Iraq match tomorrow, but the national team staff has counted on their participation in the next match against UAE.

Meanwhile, the three traveling players Ansarifard, Niazmand, and Abedzadeh proved negative and the three players now are in the camp training for tomorrow’s match.

Latest on Team Melli

Dragan Skocic recalled two players from the standby list while including a previously unlisted Perspolis midfielder to the squad.

  • Farshad Faraji was called by Team Melli to fill in for the absent players while Aghasi, Rafei, and Kamiabinia have been added to the party. While Taremi is on the squad, his flight was disrupted as the airplane taking him from Portugal to Istanbul was diverted after the icy weather in the airport closed the runway. Taremi’s flight landed at Dalman Airport in southwest Turkey near Bodrum and he like the other passengers are stranded there awaiting a flight and weather improvement.
  • The match on Thursday will be refereed by the Australian Christopher James Beath.

  • There is still no confirmation on whether the spectators will be allowed or not for the Iraq match. Most probably, a 20% max number of spectators may be allowed in provided the passengers are vaccinated according to the latest requirements of health protocols.
  • Tuesday’s training session was attended by 17 players and was carried out in Azadi Stadium.
  • The Iraqi squad had 5 positive PCR tests on arrival at Imam Airport in Tehran. After protesting the results, another test was carried out with one positive result. Further request to repeat the test was not entertained again. Iraq has a new coach in the Montenegran  Željko Petrović. This will be Iraq’s third coach in the qualifiers after Katanec (Slovenia) and Dick Advocaat (Netherlands).
  • The revised list of invited players:
    • Goalkeepers:
  1. Alireza Biranvand
  2. Amir Abedzadeh
  3. Payam Niazmand
    • Defenders:
  4. Sadegh Moharremi
  5. Hossein Kananizadegan
  6. Shoja’a Khalilzadeh
  7. Omid Nourafkan
  8. Milad Mohammadi
  9. Siavash Yazdani
  10. Saleh Hardani
  11. Aref Aghasi
  12. Farshad Faraji
    • Midfielders:
  13. Saeed Ezatollahi
  14. Milad Sarlak
  15. Soroush Rafiei
  16. Kamal Kamyabinia
  17. Vahid Amiri
  18. Mehdi Torabi
  19. Saman Ghoddos
  20. Ali Gholizadeh
    • Forwards:
  21. Karim Ansarifard
  22. Alireza Jahanbakhsh
  23. Kaveh Rezaei
  24. Mehdi Ghaedi
  25. Shahab Zahedi
  26. Mehdi Taremi (Not available)

 

the Standby List: Mohammadreza Akhbari, Danial Ismailifard, Zubair Nikonfs,

AFC Women Asian Cup Chinese Taipei v Iran

Navi Mumbai: Chinese Taipei and Iran are set for a collision course in their final Group A fixture of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ at the D.Y. Patil Stadium on Wednesday.

Both sides are still chasing their first win, with Iran falling to a 7-0 defeat against China PR, while Chinese Taipei opened their campaign with a 4-0 loss to the Steel Roses.
At stake will be the runners-up spot, which will confirm the second team from Group A into the quarter-finals.

Despite starting their campaign with a defeat, Chinese Taipei head coach Kazuo Echigo is optimistic of his team’s chances of advancing into the quarter-finals.

“This is a very tough competition, and the Chinese team was very well prepared, but we did what we could do,” said Echigo. “Everybody gave their best efforts throughout the game, we made a point of that.
“Looking ahead, I believe we can make some improvements for our next match. I’m sure the players will be eager to show what they are capable of.”

#WAC2022 – Group A | China PR 4 – 0 Chinese Taipei

“This is a very tough competition, and the Chinese team was very well prepared, but we did what we could do,” said Echigo. “Everybody gave their best efforts throughout the game, we made a point of that.
“Looking ahead, I believe we can make some improvements for our next match. I’m sure the players will be eager to show what they are capable of.”
Meanwhile, Iran head coach Maryam Irandoost wants her team to be focused on the match despite their heavy defeat against China on Sunday.
Iran held their own against China before conceding the opener in the 28th minute and the eight-time champions went on to score six more goals to seal the win.

#WAC2022 – Group A | Islamic Republic of Iran 0 – 7 China PR

“It was a very tough game, but my players tried hard until the last minute,” said Irandoost. “We have seen, even in the men’s World Cup, some great teams can concede seven goals. It’s the first time we’ve participated in this tournament, and it is a great experience for us.
“After the final whistle, I gathered my players and told them we had finished that match. I told the players to promise me that they would put it behind them. We have two training sessions left, and we will shift our focus towards the Chinese Taipei match and be prepared for it.”

The heavy weather in Turkey affects WC Qualifiers of the Asian Teams!

The Lebanese Football Association announced the cancellation of the flight of the South Korean delegation, which is scheduled to arrive in Beirut this evening, due to a snowstorm in Turkey.

Lebanon is preparing to face Korea, on Thursday 27th January, at Rafic Hariri Stadium in Sidon, in the final qualification rounds of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.  The Federation said, through its official account on Twitter: “The South Korean team’s trip has been canceled, Which was scheduled for today, due to bad weather, and work is underway to find a second flight as soon as possible.” The Korean team delegation was supposed to arrive this evening, at 6:30 Beirut time. The failure to find a second flight to Lebanon in a quick time threatens to play the match on schedule”.

Team Melli is also affected by the same as several players who have chosen Turkish airport as transit airports to Tehran, are stuck without being able to leave Istanbul. Amongst those players are Mehdi Taremi.

The exciting young forward linked with a move to Hull City

Hull City are expected to complete the signings of Aleksandar Pesic and Allahyar Sayyadmanesh as new owner Acun Ilıcalı looks to strengthen the squad before the January transfer deadline.

The Turkish businessman finalised his purchase of the club last week and he made it clear that he will invest to improve the current group.

Therefore, it’s expected to be a very busy final week for the Tigers in the market and it appears that a few moves are already lined up.

That’s after reporter Yağız Sabuncuoğlu revealed that Pesic is set to join from Karagumruk in a 2.5m euros deal, whilst Sayyadmanesh is expected to link up from Fenerbahce.

Both are forward players, with Pesic having enjoyed a fine individual campaign in the Turkish top-flight, scoring 12 goals in 21 games. The 29-year-old has been prolific at different stages of his career, having also shone with Red Star Belgrade, Maccabi Tel-Aviv, and Seoul.

Meanwhile, 20-year-old forward Sayyadmanesh is an Iran international who is contracted to the Istanbul giants but he has had two successful loan spells in Ukraine with Zorya. Hull City are working on a £5 million deal to lure the youngster to the MKM Stadium before the end of the transfer window.

City supporters have seen their side linked with a host of names in the aftermath of Aseem Allam’s departure as the new regime looks to keep the club in the Championship.

One player reportedly attracting interest from the Tigers is Allahyar Sayyadmanesh, with Hull Live understanding Grant McCann’s side and Anderlecht are vying for his signature.

HullLive profiles the youngster ahead of his potential switch to the MKM Stadium…

Background

Sayyadmanesh is 20-years-old and has already been capped four times for Iran, making his debut in 2019.

The striker is contracted to Fenerbahce but spent last season on loan to Ukrainian outfit Zorya Luhansk – bagging 15 goals.

In December 2020, he even bagged the decisive goal in a 1-0 win to defeat Leicester in the Europa League at just 19-years-old.

Playing style

The Iranian is described as a physically imposing striker who has an instinct for finding the net.

At six-foot-tall, he possesses the strength to outmuscle defenders but prefers to run in behind and score the majority of his goals from inside the penalty area.

He averaged a 28 percent conversion rate while on loan at Zorya Luhansk, highlighting his ability to finish.

Sayyadmanesh’s flaws are seen as his dribbling but, at 20-years-old, there is plenty of time for him to work on his game.

Where does he fit in?

Grant McCann has played 3-5-2 this season but rarely has his frontline consisted of two strikers, with Keane Lewis-Potter occasionally operating out of position.

Tom Eaves – despite bagging his second goal of the season against Blackburn on Wednesday – has struggled to find the net, and Josh Magennis has left for Wigan.

Sayyadmanesh’s arrival would see him given one of the two starting berths upfronts and allow Lewis-Potter to play in his most effective role out wide.

Contract situation?

Sayyadmanesh is contracted at Fenerbahce until 2024, meaning any permanent deal would command a considerable fee.

Sayyadmanish will not be in Tehran on time for Iraq match!

It seems that Team Melli will not be able to have any of its forward against Iraq.

Taremi is still at large waiting for a flight out of Turkey with hundreds of flights grounded due to severe weather, Sardar Azmoun out of the squad due to positive test result, and Karim Ansarifard still in transit not able to join, now it is announced that Allahyar Sayyadmanish does not have his passport and unable to travel to Tehran.

  Ahmad Noorullahi,, Majid Hosseini, and Ehsan HajSafi are also out due to PCR test positive results.

The absence of Allahyar Sayadmanesh, who is due to leave Fenerbahce for Hull City in England soon, is due to administrative work for a trip to England. Mojtaba Khorshidi, the Manager of the Iranian national team, said in this regard: “Sayyadmanesh announced that he does not have his passport because he is going to transfer to the English team and he will be unable to come to Tehran.”

As it is, the team is experiencing a serious depletion of its force with the main strikers out.

There are still a few good options for Dragan Skocic though, as Karim Ansarifard, should be available despite not taking part in any group training, Mehdi Ghaedi, Kaveh Rezaei, and Alireza Jahanbakhsh who can operate as a winger or central forward. Shahab Zahedi may also play his first match under the circumstances.

Fourth Team Melli player drops out of squad!

 The defender Majid Hosseini left the Team Melli camp due to a positive PCR test.

According to reports, Turkish club Kayseri Spor player, who joined the camp yesterday, was tested positive, and for this reason, this player left the camp. Hosseini is the fourth player to be infected with the Coronavirus and thus will not be able to accompany Iran in the match against Iraq.

Prior to this Azmoun, Nourollahi and Hajsafi tested positive.

It is expected that Esteghlal defender Aref Aghasi to replace Majidi in the squad.