Tag: Branko Ivankovic

Iran hampered by usual issues ahead of bid to end drought

Michael Church

 (Reuters) – Turmoil and uncertainty have become constant companions for the Iranian national team, but coach Carlos Queiroz will look to push aside such distractions and end the country’s 43-year Asian Cup title drought at next month’s tournament.

Iran last lifted Asian football’s most coveted trophy on home soil in 1976, when they completed the third leg of three consecutive championship wins that mark the country out as one of continent’s most successful ever.

But for all their achievements since defeating Kuwait to complete the hat-trick — a resume that includes five World Cup appearances and three Asian Games gold medals — the title the nation covets the most has continued to prove elusive.

Iran head to the United Arab Emirates as one of favourites, even though Queiroz has been denied the services of Reading’s Saeid Ezatolahi, an influential presence at the heart of the team, due to injury.

The absence of the 22-year-old is the latest in a string of issues to hamper the team’s preparations, with Queiroz’s own future proving a major distraction since the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

After Iran narrowly missed out on advancing from the group stage for a first time, Queiroz’s demands for a new four-year contract were ignored by Iranian football authorities and doubts will remain over his future until the Asian Cup finishes.

Star striker Sardar Azmoun, meanwhile, shocked many when he announced his international retirement in response to abuse the 24-year-old received in the aftermath of a lacklustre World Cup campaign for the Rubin Kazan forward.

Further issues arose in early December with the Iranians at risk of an international ban from FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) over government interference in the domestic federation’s affairs.

The team has suffered funding issues, too, while the United States government’s decision to impose sanctions on Tehran has made it difficult for Portugal’s Queiroz to properly prepare his squad for the tournament.

But, as a long-running row between Queiroz and former national coach Branko Ivankovic, now in charge of Iran’s most popular club Persepolis, simmers in the background, one of the most talented squads in Asia will head to the finals in January.

Azmoun has since been convinced to backtrack on his retirement decision and he leads a line-up containing 18 of the 23 players who went to Russia, where Iran defeated Morocco in their opening game to secure a second-ever World Cup victory.

A draw against Portugal in their third game could not prevent them from exiting the competition, but the four points gained were the largest haul in the country’s World Cup history.

Queiroz, whose team take on Iraq, Vietnam and Yemen in the group phase, will be looking to create history for Iran once more and nothing short of victory in the final in Abu Dhabi on Feb. 1 will be deemed a success.

A lesson learned from Persepolis.

The Japanese club Kashima Antlers have one hand on the 2018 AFC Champions League title after defeating Persepolis 2-0 in Saturday’s final first leg.

Following a goalless first half at the Kashima Soccer Stadium, Leo Silva opened the scoring for the hosts two minutes before the hour mark, before Serginho made it 2-0 12 minutes later to seal a potentially-pivotal victory.

Both teams meet again next Saturday at the Azadi Stadium where the Antlers can expect a hostile atmosphere, although they will take heart in not only being in possession of a two-goal cushion but having not conceded an away goal.

Despite many expecting them to adopt a conservative approach as the away side, Persepolis began the game showing plenty of adventure and created the better openings early on.

However , with the games progressing, it was clear that there is a fundamental difference between the two teams. One playing with as a calm and collected unit following the game plan, while the other playing with emotion and grit needless to say that the juvenile attitude of some players have cost the team. As expected the former. Kashima Antlers won the day, and Persepolis despite the good show especially early in the game, have shot themselves in the foot.

There are lots of lessons to be learned from this match that will serve Team Melli mostly is what to avoid or how not to play like Persepolis in the coming AFC Asian Cup 2019.

The indiscipline of Persepolis players was monumental. Despite his character and reputation, Branko Ivankovic has not been able to control the temper or the attitude of Iranian players, even during his days with Team Melli. Thanks God that there was a certain player by the name of Ali Daei at the time of Branko tenure with Team Melli who did that job in the squad.

Regardless to how good a team plays, the indcipline will render all the efforts useless in case of sending off or suspensions. Persepolis has lost Siamak Nemati for the return leg as he sent off for a second yellow card for unprofessional and highly uncalled for act. Persepolis were lucky not to lose another player, Shojaa Khalizadeh who could have been easily sent off too. The rowdy attitude of players , that is so common in the Persian Gulf League, must not reach Team Melli at any cost

Luckily, with his strong character and disciplinarian attitude, Carlos Queiroz has a good grip on the affairs and will not tolerate transgression or indiscipline. We hope the rest of players have learned from this defeat.

Branko ignores Queiroz comments.

The Persepolis football coach says there is no information available to the Iranian National Football team, and every 11 of his players deserve to be invited to this team.

The Persepolis head coach commented on Queiroz and his return to Iran, as well as the statements he has made that there is a place for wither me (Queiroz) or him (Branko) in Iran “ I have no comment on his statement. I do not know at the moment who is the head coach of Team Melli. I do not know when the national team is continuing or assembling and the federation have not informed us about the details of the training camp. I also do not want to say anything until I get information. Ask him yourself, because he has said what he said. Of course, Iran has become larger since he said that !”.

Branko spoke on the presence of Biranvand in Team Melli said: “I trust Biranvand. He could tell me I am going to Team Melli camp and instead he goes to Shamal (north), I still trust him (laughter). But as far as I know, it is a practise everywhere in the world, and according to FIFA rules,  two weeks before the start of the training camp, the federation shall send a letter with details/duration of the training camp and formally invite the players. Of course, this is a preliminary list and a few days before the actual start of the camp, they send the original letter of invitation. Same as they did for Bashar-Rasan, it was done by his country’s federation who informed us how many days the player is wanted by his national team, because the player is obliged to introduce himself back to his club after 24 hours after the completion of the training camp. If the player comes from a different continent, that time is 48 hours to introduce himself back to the club. This is the FIFA rule.”

“I do not know which players have been invited because I do have not received anything.” he said about the Team Melli’s list and the invitation of a player from Persepolis. “So I cannot comment. I am very happy to be with my players and I cannot comment on this. I do not know if the players were invited from the federation or where they were invited by someone else. I do not think it’s logical to invite players by SMS and I therefore I would not comment on that.”

Commenting on a question in reference to Sadegh Moharrami and why he was not invited to the national team when he was in Persepolis, “I do not know if he was invited. I have not seen the list and I cannot comment. There is no doubt that Sadegh Moharrami is a very good player.”

“Every eleven of my players deserve to be in the national team squad,” Branko said, answering the question of whether some of Persepolis’s players were left out of the national team.

Persepolis coach continued: “I have no disagreement with anyone. Have you ever heard that I oppose someone and talk about someone? If I’m having trouble with me, I do not know. Have you heard me say something bad or give a comment on the players list?. It’s natural that all players want to be invited to the national team.”

Biravand is no show for Persepolis training.

The pre-season training of Persepolis has reached the final stage, while there is no news from their number one goalkeeper according to reports from the club.

Alireza Beiranvand has a mandatory two weeks off as a member of Team Melli squad that competed in the FIFA 2018 World Cup. The rest, which ended on Sunday, however the Team Melli guardian did not show up for Persepolis yesterday’s training. Beiranvand’s absence has upset Branko Ivankovic, and he informed the club’s managers to sort out Beiranvnd’s situation as soon as possible.

The Persepolis head coach made it clear to the management that if Beiranvand does not attend the training by the end of the week, he can not be picked for the senior team and will be benched.

The Persepolis goalie is determined to seek contracts and consider his foreign offers and then to attend the training. But the Persepolis club is against this and explicitly stated that it will not sell him until the end of the half season.

Biranvand’s poor form, a worry for Team Melli!

One would be excused to notice that the two goalkeepers that have performed so admirably in the AFC Asian Champions League matches yesterday are nowhere near being Team Melli’s first choice .  

The fact is that one Alireza Biranvand, a lackluster keeper with a questionable attitude and prone to errors, has been the number one choice for Carlos Queiroz and that is worrying.

Biranvand , the guardian of Persepolis has been quite poor this season. Single handedly he cost his team a precious win in Abu Dhabi last night conceding 3 goals, all of which could have been saved with some agility and better effort.  Young Goalkeepers like Biranvand at such age normally develop and reach their peak at a much later stage of their careers unlike other outfield players. Biranvand has played for Team Melli youth teams and forced himself to the senior team on sheer merits at the time that Iran had a dearth of goalkeeping talents.

However, Biranvand , seem to have stopped developing, but even worst , he is losing his touch too. There is a long list of shortcoming that has marred his performance particularly this season, from failure to judge the flight of crosses to poor reaction, to poor timings of coming out for a ball. Biranvand has cost his club many goals and lots of points, the type of which he had not experienced before at Persepolis.

Mehdi Rahmati

Admittedly, the problems he had with his club, had affected him. Contractual and financial issues, the lure of better contract at other clubs resulted in him requesting a transfer while he was tied by a contract. The club turned down his request, which resulted in Birnavand’s rebellion, absence from training and refusing to attend team meetings. He was the target of the boo-boys amongst the passionate Persepolis fans in Azadi. Branko Ivankovic was ready to kick him out of the team for his petulant attitude and discord he created in the team while they were fighting on two fronts, to win the league title and the AFC Champions league. Eventually, Biranvand came to his senses and returned, but traces of that episode are evident in his poor performances following that period.

On the other hand,  Zob Ahan goalkeeper and number 3 choice in Team Melli , Rashid Mazaheri was majestic in his performance against Esteghlal in the same stage of the AFC champions league match. Estaghlal lost to late penalty  for Zob Ahan to take a slender lead to Azadi. Despite that eye catching performance in goal for Zob Ahan, It would be very difficult to name Mazaheri as the best goalkeeper in Iran, because right in the opposite end of the field was none other than Seyed Mehdi Rahmati whose saves and reflexes was world class. An outcast in Team Melli, his skills and experience has saved Esteghlal time after time in that match. It was a sterling performance from the veteran keeper and Rahmati was at his best.

Two great performances from two Iranian keepers in the same match, was the highlight of this round of AFC Champions league. Two exceptional performances that has brought back some of the confidence lost in Iranian keepers and their qualities. Queiroz has no more than 3 games to check on his choice of goalkeeper for the World Cup. Birnavand has served him well and the Portuguese head coach is known to be loyal to his troops. But he has also shown that he can be demanding and would not hesitate to make drastic changes or drop star players if their performances and forms are not up to his standard.

Every player makes mistakes, and with goalkeepers by their nature being the last line of defence, theirs will be the costliest. Queiroz has one serious problem on his hand at that end.

Queiroz Domestic League contempt

Queiroz’s verbal arson and laying into the Domestic Persian Gulf League in such cruel, public fashion in front of the Europeans journalists is yet another proof that nothing has changed with this self-serving head coach

True to the form book, he lashed out about the poor standards of Iran’s Persian Gulf League players, their coaches and the system of training deployed.

Queiroz has always had contempt for the league in Iran. He hardly attends league matches, preferring to watch the Legionnaires in Europe. It is a good break for him too, of course. For domestic league the lower ranks in Team Melli training Cadre do the mundane job of watching potential talents and future Team Melli players.

His justification for the low grade of the domestic league and players goes beyond technicalities too as there is some personal issues in it. It started more than 4 years ago when the league coaches vehemently rejected his grandeur plans of suspending the Persian Gulf League and focusing on Team Melli as the ideal preparation  for FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014.

He even warned or at least insinuated that if his plans are not implemented, Team Melli will be humiliated in Brazil against the might of Argentina! The whole of Iran and particularly the government must listen to him and abide to his wishes or else!

 

Apparently only the ‘idealists coaches and idiots’ in the local media dismissed his threats or doomsday scenario as a hoax. Many considered it yet another Queiroz’s “I know- better- than- you- all” rhetoric !  

In reality, Team Melli played one of its matches in the World Cup against Argentina. It was only the magnificence of one Lionel Messi, with his last gasp goal, that spoiled the party. It was nothing like the Saudi’s 8-0 drubbing by the hands of the German in 2002 or even the 7-1 humiliation of the host Brazil against the Champions Germany in the same World Cup 2014.

Queiroz was at it again during the post-match press conference after the Algeria win in Graz.

When Queiroz starts talking down the country’s assets and domestic players in such cruel, discourteous manner in public, he knows very well that he is untouchable. There is no culpability, no accountability and he certainly will not be questioned by the feeble Head of IRIFF, Mehdi Taj.

The Paradox of Queiroz claims are mind boggling too. Although he has little regards for the domestic league player, not a secret by a long shot, claiming their standards are way too low for the World Cup, he still demands that the league should be abandoned so that players are released fully for Team Melli!

Now, if they are not good enough to play in World Cup or have a long way to go, and everyone knows, even the Imam Juma of Sanandaj , that the nucleus of his team in Russia will be the Legionnaires, why deprive the clubs from revenue, players from competitions and fans from enjoying watching football matches?

Luckily, Carlos Queiroz is not the only experienced European coach making a living in Iran. Winfried “Winnie” Schäfer ,  who won the African Nations Cup in 2002 with Cameroon and now coaching Esteghlal, and Branko Ivankovic the famous coach of Persepolis and former Team Melli head coach, have both dismissed Queiroz claims. The German took a swipe at Queiroz today after a fine win by Esteghlal in the league against Naft Tehran 2-1. The winner was a last minute goal ironically scored by the rising star of Iranian football Omid Noorafakn, a product of the domestic league.

“All Esteghlal players members of Team Melli played very well and proved how good they are. Esteghlal players are quite ready to play in the World Cup, no doubts” Schäfer said in the post-match press conference.

 

 

Ali Alipour, challenging for a place in Team Melli.

Ali Alipour, with sterling performances in the Persian Gulf League and the AFC Champions league has finally convinced Carlos Queiroz to pick him for Team Melli squad.

Iran is preparing for the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018, where they are grouped with Spain, Portugal and Morocco.

Born in Ghaem Shar on 11th November 1994, young Alipour grew up in the wrestling champions breeding province of Mazendran This northern province, where the tradition wrestling rules  supreme, has produced countless number of world class wrestling champions and Olympics medals winners, however, this young man was determined to be a champion in a different sport, his beloved football.

Alipour started playing football with with Nassaji Mazandaran in 2011 in the lower leagues before making his dream trip to Tehran and joining Rah Ahan in 2013. . He first made his professional debut in 2012 at the age of 16 with Azadegan League club Sang Ahan.

In his two years in Rah Ahan, Alipour hardly managed to set the stage alight scoring only 3 goals in 25 matches.

However, it was in Persepolis, where he started to make a name for himself. He started as a sub for the club but steadily went up the pecking order until he became a fixed player and a prolific scorer. On May 2015, Alipour became a cult hero .  

On May 15, 2015 Alipour scored in the Tehran derby against Esteghlal, making him the youngest ever player to score in the famous and iconic Derby, with only 19 years of age. 

It was only a matter of time for Queiroz to recognize the talented center forward who has a knack of scoring fancy goals. The AFC Champions League is a testament for this talented 22 years old. Under Branko Ivankovic , the Persepolis coach, Alipour has thrived and continues to develop to a classy forward.

His selection to Team Melli will not give him a guarantee of playing time as the competition is stiff up the front. With Sardar Azmoun, Reza Ghoochannejad who is playing his best season in Holland, Karim Ansarifard enjoying similar success in Greek league ,  Alireza Jahanbakhsh continuing his excellent form and finally Mehdi Taremi , now in Qatar Star League, Alipour is far from being assured a place in the World Cup squad, let alone playing in the world biggest football show.

Alipour, however, remains a potential winner and a hard worker with talent and pace and good enough to seriously challenge for a place in the Team Melli.

Biranvand dipping form, a worry for Team Melli.

Just as most Team Melli fan breathed a sigh of relief for having a strong and reliable goalkeeper between the post of Team Melli goal line, Alireza Biranvand has hit his lowest form since joining Iran’s squad.

After years of unceratinity and problems in the goalkeeping post with several changes of goalkeepers, it was apparent that the young Biranvand has displayed the form that augurs well for the future of Team Melli. His reflexes, Aerial command and body frame is a source of confidence for the coaches and defenders alike. It seems all is settled at the back and the guardian of Team Melli during the world cup 2018 would be none other than Alireza Biranvand.

Biranvand kept 17 clean sheets in the FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifiers including 12 consecutive clean sheets lasting 1108 minutes. This is a statistic of the highest caliber.

And then, the Syria match!

For the first and last time in Round 3, Iran concedes a goal, in fact two goals against Syria. On both of the goals, Birnavand was the culprit and weak. The second Syrian goal in the added time of the match, was particularly embarrassing as mild shot by Syria’s Omar Al Souma passed between Biranvands wide open legs into the net.

This was the start of a spiral dive in form by Biranvand as Persepolis look exposed with Birnavand in goal. Almost all the goals conceded had a hallmark of bad goalkeeping. The Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal scored 4 goals passed him in the semifinal first leg of the AFC Champions League. In the Persian Gulf League, Biranvand was not doing well either as he was a culprit in several of the goals conceded that resulted in Persepolis dropping from the top spot of the league table.

Branko Ivankovic had enough of the long spell of bad performance by Biranvand and has benched him for the next Persepolis league match; however, the concern remains if Queiroz has still confidence in him. If the last 5 or 6 matches are to go by, Team Melli cannot rely on Biranvand and must find a suitable replacement. Haghighi, who is playing in Sweden now, has been called again. He is the most natural replacement if Birnavand does not improve vastly. In all cases, goalkeeping is once again becoming a worry.

Mehdi Taremi is suspended by FIFA.

Following a complaint by a Turkish Sporting Club, the World Football governing body (FIFA) ruled in favor of Süper Lig team Çaykur Rizespor and imposed a heavy penalty and fines against Persepolis and Mehdi Taremi.

Both Team Melli striker and his agent Golghi, have been penalized for illegally leaving the Turkish club and required to pay a fine of € 789,500. Both are also suspended  from all football activities for a period of four months.

Persepolis is also banned from any transfer activities for two windows of winter and summer transfers and will not be able to attract new players until the winter of 2018.

Persepolis is facing the most challenging of period  of the club history as they have set camp in Dubai in preparation for the AFC Champ[ions League semi final on against  Al-Hilal of  Saudi Arabia. Taremi , the leading scorer for the club will not be available.

With the demand by Persepolis, Taremi’s change of heart as well as Hossein Hedayati’s encouragement  , Taremi returned from Turkey to Iran despite signing an official contract to play for the Turkish club and as a result , he is faced with unprecedented penalty.

Petiro Espoor announced in March of 2016 that he would sue Taromi, but Persepolis did not take the Turkish club’s threat seriously and announced that they can easily deal with the matter. Persepolis always maintained that Mehdi Taremi is a Persepolis player who has been ill-advised! 

The Iranian media have repeatedly warned of the consequences of Taremi’s law abuses. Persepolis has had many months to negotiate peacefully with the Turkish side, but lack of understanding of law, arrogance and simply poor management skills which the club is famous for, has turned out to be a very expensive affair.

Even after the FIFA  decree, Ali Akbar Taheri, the CEO of Persepolis, announced that if there is no penalty against the club accept the suspension of Taremi !

FIFA is very strict in about players’ commitment and obligations to their clubs and vice versa. Iranian clubs are notorious for breaking rules as both Persepolis and Esteghlal have been found guilty of several rules breaking.  Taremi has been fine for not respecting the terms of the contract and leaving the club without notice and without obtaining a clearance from his employer , Çaykur Rizespor.

Persepolis club has the opportunity to appeal to the High Court of Sports CAS , but if the verdict is reaffirmed, then there is an added heavy costs of the trial proceeding that should be paid.

Çaykur Rizespor’s complaint follows another  Persepolis’ involvement in the case of former coach Manuel José. Than fans are worried about the consequences of that case which might be even a bigger penalty against Persepolis.

One source inside the FFIRI mentioned  that “Despite the denial by Persepolis, the letter of suspension has reached the Football Federation and on Saturday , a session is scheduled to be held in the federation to examine the issue.”

Following the news of Taremi’s suspension, the club coach Branko Ivankovic said that he is extremely concerned with lack of professionalism displayed by the player and ill-advise that Taremi had received following his departure from Persepolis to Turkey and the quick U-Turn.  The Croat coach , however, was defiant and insisted that despite his top scorer absence , he is determined to take the team to its first ever AFC champions League Final.

Ramin Rezaeian, finally plays in Europe.

Ramin Rezaeian, a 27-year-old Iranian right-back who had been tested two weeks ago at an internship in the Netherlands, signed a two-year contract with KV Ostend, the Jupiler Pro League

The ex-Persepolis player, who won the Persian Gulf Pro League title, has convinced Yves Vanderhaeghe and the sports team of his value. Rezaeian  has proven that he is also capable of evolving on the flanks .

Rezaeian faced uncertainty and desperation when his Croat coach Branko Ivankovic insisted that he has no place in his team and will not accept him playing for the club under any circumstances. The action by Branko was due to Rezaeian’s poor attitude and professionalism. Despite efforts from a host of people including assurance by Ali Parvin that Rezaeian will be playing in Persepolis this season, The Croat stood firm and Parvin promise was not fulfilled

Rezaeian who was a major part of  Team Melli campaign (19 caps, 2 goals), already guaranteed to participate in the FIFA World Cup 2018 in Russia,  is very popular player in Iran. The number of subscribers to his Instagram account is even more than one million. It is this popularity that has gone to his head and nearly spoiled his career. KV Ostend, is the third team that has inquired about him and gave him trials.