Tag: Alireza Jahanbakhsh

17/06/201417/06/2014

Team Melli draws blank against Nigeria

Team Melli drew with Nigeria 0-0 in the first match for both teams in Group F. Argentina is currently leading the table with 3 points after winning their opener against Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Carlos Queiroz fielded a strong defensive line up with 6 recognized defenders sticking to his now well recognized strategy of a strong defensive team. The only surprise of the line up was the inclusion of Alireza Haghighi , who is probably the least experienced of the 3 goalkeepers ahead of no 1 choice Rahman Ahmadi. However , Haghighi did not have to make many saves or even work hard except for ne tricky free kick in the first half.

Although Nigeria dominated the first 30 minutes of the first half, the solid and well organized Iranian defense made that domination by the African champions useless. After the half hour a corner kick awarded for Iran, the quick reaction of Nigerian keeper Victor Enyeama who saved the powerful header by Reza Ghoochanejad from close range prevented Iran from going a goal up.

In the second half the Nigerian control was reduced with Team Melli getting more of the ball but the players were guilty with some bad passes and spoiling some reasonable chances. Nekounam and Teymourian were majestic in their roles and their solid performance nullified the threat form the Nigerian midfield, especially Teymourian who neutralized Nigerian’s most famous player John Obi Mikel.

The defenders skilfully managed anything the Nigerians threw at them with total domination of aerial balls.

Despite being the lone striker , Ghoochannejad managed to play a solid and decent game and was a constant menace for the Nigerian defense. However Ghoochannejad did not connect well with the lone offensive midfielder , Ashkan Dejagah as they seemed to be operating on different channels and missing each others passes.

Dejagah who was expected to be the key player was a disappointment against Nigeria. Half of his passes went astray and he lacked his trademark running and beating the defenders. He was not helped , perhaps , by the number of midfield players opting to stay behind during offensive moves, leaving the team short of players up front while attacking the Nigerian goal. Dejagah was subsequently substituted in the 78th minute by Alireza Jahanbakhsh.

It was a fair result for Team Melli and Queiroz skillful managed to neutralize the Nigerians threat , with remarkable ease. His selection of player for the defensive duties were immaculate. Iran managed the first point in the competition, and that is good enough of a start. It is going to be uphill from now but with the sold defensive system that Queiroz has created, without being anti-football , Team Melli is still capable to spring a surprise in the two matches ahead.

12/06/201412/06/2014

Queiroz outlines the team facing Nigeria among unprecedented presence of Iranian journalists.

06/11/2014

Entourage of about 40 professionals from the local press arrive in São Paulo to cover the World Cup. Technical, finally, displays likely team

For Rodrigo Faber Sao Paulo

Globoesporte.globo.com

over The Corinthians Training Center which has been a place with a remarkably low presence of journalist from Iran to cover their country’s team progress, suddenly experienced a large number of them turning up for training this Wednesday. During this afternoon’s activity led by coach Carlos Queiroz, an entourage of about 40 professionals Iranian press men arrived to begin the coverage of the Asian national team during the World Cup. Coincidentally, it was the first time the coach outlined a starting lineup for the opening game against Nigeria, 16th in Curitiba.

Training journalists in Iran (Photo: Rodrigo Faber)

Iranian journalists were out in force in the training of the Asian team in São Paulo (Photo: Rodrigo Faber)

Queiroz positioned players in reduced space and then closed the training session – as is usual with coaches – trying to hide secrets from the preying eyes of the press..The goalkeeper remains the main mystery, since the three (Rahman Ahmadi, Alireza Haghighi and Daniel Davari) were tested in recent friendly matches. In the 2-0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday, Haghighi remained the keeper during the whole game.

players in training in Iran (Photo: Rodrigo Faber)

Iran won the starting lineup on Wednesday outline (Photo: Rodrigo Faber)

As the three goalkeepers worked separately, the Portuguese coach attended to the rest of the team in a 4-4-2 formation with: Montazeri, Amirhossein Sadeghi, Jalal Hosseini and Pooladi; Nekounam, Timotian, Haji Safi and Dejagah; Heydari and Goochannejad. The team still train twice in the CT Corinthians before the trip to Curitiba, scheduled for the afternoon of Saturday. The last practice session before the match will be conducted at the Arena da Baixada, the venue of the game.

From the outside, the Iranian journalists were quite animated in their first contact with the team. Aided by the local federation, all traveled together to São Paulo, where they landed in the early hours of Wednesday. They monitor all matches of Iran on the spot. Apart from Nigeria, the Asian team faces Argentina on 21 June in Belo Horizonte, and Bosnia, the 25th, in Salvador.

The Iranian press has a close relationship with the squad. Some players, when sighting known journalists in the CT Corinthians, greeted them from afar. The best bets of local professionals for the World Cup are three players who play in Europe: Ashkan Dejagah, Fulham (England), Reza Ghoochannejad, Charlton (England) and Alireza Jahanbakhsh, NEC (Netherlands) –

Training of Iran was closely followed by coach Carlos Queiroz (Photo: Rodrigo Faber)

08/06/2014

Jahanbaksh named amongst the young players to watch

Young Players to set the 2014 World Cup alight from Group F

Last Updated: June 7, 2014, 06:21pm

Here is a look at one young player from each of the four Group F teams most likely to make an impact for their respective countries at the World Cup

Argentina

Marcos Rojo
Age	24
Club	Sporting Lisbon
Position	Defender
Int. Caps	21
Int. Goals	0

In an experienced Argentina side, Marcos Rojo is one of the younger and probably one of the most important players in the Albiceleste squad. The 24-year-old will be playing in the left-back position for Argentina at the World Cup and has emerged as an integral part for Alejandro Sabella’s side.

While his defensive qualities have been put into question at times, Rojo is a great threat going forward and will surely prove to be a useful outlet in the final third of the pitch for the South Americans.

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Sead Kolašinac
Age	20
Club	Schalke
Position	Defender
Int. Caps	4
Int. Goals	0

Sead Kolašinac has enjoyed a breakthrough season with Schalke this year. The young man established himself as an integral part of the German side and impressed many with his mature performance at the back.

A versatile player who is primarily used as a left-back, Kolašinac switched allegiance to Bosnia & Herzegovina after representing Germany at youth level and looks set to play a big part in the country’s debut World Cup campaign in Brazil.

Iran

Alireza Jahanbakhsh
Age	20
Club	NEC Nijmegen
Position	Midfielder
Int. Caps	6
Int. Goals	1

Alireza Jahanbakhsh is probably the most exciting young player to emerge from Iran recently. The 20-year old plies his trade in Netherlands for NEC Nijmegen and managed to impress with some fine performances for the Dutch side over the course of the campaign.

A tricky winger with a knack of scoring goals, Jahanbakhsh adds a bit of flair to a solid Iran side. While Ashkan Degajah and Javad Nekounam will most probably be preferred to Jahanbakhsh in the starting lineup at the World Cup, one cannot rule out the young man making an impact in the competition whenever afforded the opportunity.

Nigeria

Ogenyi Onazi
Age	20
Club	Lazio
Position	Midfielder
Int. Caps	20
Int. Goals	1

Ogenyi Onazi’s meteoric rise to prominence has been phenomenal. Having picked up by Italian giants from a church-sponsored team in Lagos called My People two years ago, Onazi has gone on to become one of the finest young midfielders plying their trade in Europe.

The 20-year old has also established himself as a regular in the Nigerian national team and helped the Super Eagles to the African Cup of Nations triumph in 2013.

A tough tackling midfielder, Onazi possesses a brilliant temperament and he will surely be looking to impress at the World Cup by taming the dangerous Argentina and Bosnia attack.

Written by: Sarad Shrestha

01/06/201401/06/2014

Azmoun “My injury is not serious”

Young Sardar Azmoun who made his debut against Angola on 30th May in Hatrberg , Austria said that his injury is not serious and nothing to be worried about.

The Rubin Kazan forward Azmoun was substituted on the 23rd minute of the first half after he suffered what looked like breathing difficulty as he sat on the ground for sometime before he could manage to walk off the pitch.

“It was noting too serious now. In the match , an Angolan defender kicked me in my chest . It was quite painful and difficult for me to continue. However , there was no damage and I am back to normal now.” Said the young forward who displayed a few nice glimpses of his skill during the 23 minutes he was playing.

Asked whether he thinks he will make the final 23 players list , Azmoun was cautious and said “This is up to the coach. In all cases , I wish Team Melli all the success in Brazil whether I am around or not.”

Meanwhile , the other young star of the team , Alireza Jahanbakhsh was more resolute in making the list. “Of course it is up to Carlos Queiroz to decide, but as far as I am concerned, I really want to be in the list and do well.”

“We had a very good training camp in Austria, We worked hard and ii believe it was a good training for everyone.” Jahanbakhsh said.

Asked if he will select Ajax or Manchester United as his next destination , Jahanbakhsh said “I will most probably continue my football in Holland. I will not be looking at big name clubs. FC GRONINGEN has been mentioned , but I dearly like to play with a club that will be competing in the Europa league or Champions league next season. It is important competition and I like to be part of it.”

24/12/2013

Vingada on the brink of becoming Team Melli U-23 coach

Nelo Vingada , the 60 years old Portuguese coach is at the brink of signing a 3 years contract to coach Iran’s U-23 team.

The much traveled coach who had a short stint as Perspolis head coach in 2009 , has been negotiating with the FFIRI for months and it is reported that both sides have agreed terms and the signing will be conduct after the return of Ali Kaffashian from Iraq.

Currently , there is no coach for the U-23 team or Olympic team , however , with the 17th Asian Games Incheon 2014 in mind next September , followed by the Rio Olympic Games 2016 qualifiers, FFIRI opted to have a long term plan for the U-23/Olympic team. The appointment of a high profile coach was deemed as a priority.

The selection of Vingada was no doubt influenced by Carlos Queiroz , a close friend and associate. The pair (Queiroz and Vingada) led Portugal to lifting the FIFA U21 World Cup back in 1989 & 1991. Vingada’s last involvement with Iranian football was his advisory role to Queiroz during this current World Cup campaign [Full story]

The selection of the experienced Vingada will at least mean harmony between the two coaches of Team Melli, as Queiroz has not been having a cordial relationship with other club coaches in Iran. Club coaches have accused the Team melli coach of ignoring them in making decision that affects their teams and the matter came into a a loggerhead with the 4 clubs coaches taking part in the AFC Asian Champions league.

The other coach who was on FFIRI short list for the Olympic team was the Danish Flemmings, who coached his country’s u-21 team and also Mes Kerman youth teams.

Vingada has a tough job reviving the fortunes of the disappointing Olympic team which has failed to qualify for the final stages since 1980. After qualifying for the Moscow games, the first achievement of the post-revolution , Iran boycotted the Moscow Olympic games and subsequently the football teams did not have a chance to improve on their best performance in 1976 Montreal Olympics. However , the U-23 team has performed very well at the Asian Games level winning a gold medal in 2002, one bronze medal 2006 and one fourth place ranking in 2010.

The proposed squad which will be available for Vingada will mostly consist of the U-21 players with prominent players such as Sardar Azamoun and Alireza Jahanbakhsh available for selection.

01/12/2013

Jahanbakhsh scores a brace in NEC win.

Alireza Jahanbakhsh , the promising young Team Melli player, scored twice for his dutch club to record a rare win in the Netherlands – Eredivisie .

Jahanbakhsh who has started the game against AZ Alkmaar scored in 53rd and then on the 72nd minutes for a final result of a 3-2 win for the bottom of the table club. Jahanbakhsh received a yellow card after scoring his first goal and was substituted in the 90th minute.

Alireza Jahanbakhsh who scored his first international goal for Team Melli when he came in as a substitute against Thailand, is in a good run forcing himself as a stsrter for the Dutch club.

In another development for the Team Melli legionnaire , Ashkan Dejagah learned today afternoon that his manager has been sacked, Martin Jol , the Dutcg manager of FDulham was under intense pressure after a series of bad results which sent Fulham to the bottom of the table. Jol hardly utilized Dejagah much despite fans demand and his good displays whenever he played.