Tag: CAFA Nations Cup 2023

Amir Ghalenoei

The Ghalenoei Paradox: Statistical Brilliance or Competitive Failure?

A statistical examination of Amir Ghalenoei’s two managerial stints with Team Melli reveals a paradox: impressive numerical consistency on paper that contrasts sharply with a tangible lack of competitive pedigree.

First Tenure (2006–2007)
Ghalenoei’s initial spell began on August 8, 2006, with a 1–0 friendly victory over the UAE at Azadi Stadium. It lasted just over a year, culminating in a quarter-final exit from the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, where Iran were eliminated on penalty kicks by South Korea following a goalless draw. Remarkably, across these 21 matches, his side suffered only a single defeat—a heavy 4–0 loss away to Mexico in San Luis Potosí. His final record stood at:

  • P: 21 | W: 13 | D: 7 | L: 1 | Win%: 61.9%

Second Tenure (2023–Present)
His return to the helm began on March 23, 2023, with a 1–1 draw against Russia at Azadi. This second stint has featured participation in major tournaments and yielded one piece of silverware—the inaugural CAFA Nations Cup in 2023. His current record to date is:

  • P: 47 | W: 31 | D: 11 | L: 5 | Win%: 66.0%

The statistical veneer of Ghalenoei's record—particularly the low number of losses—belies a more troubling reality. A deeper critical assessment reveals persistent tactical shortcomings, a failure to capitalize on a favorable draw at the 2026 World Cup, and an inability to translate domestic success into continental or global glory.

🥇 The "CAFA" Asterisk

The solitary piece of silverware from his second tenure, the 2023 CAFA Nations Cup, offers limited vindication. The tournament's participants—Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Oman—are not Asia's traditional powerhouses. While a victory is a victory, this triumph does little to address the more significant failures on the bigger stages that truly define a national team's legacy.

🏆 Continued Continental Failure

The primary indictment of Ghalenoei's tenure is the inability to end Iran's decades-long wait for an AFC Asian Cup title. At the 2023 Asian Cup, despite boasting a squad described as a potential "golden generation", Iran fell in the semi-finals to Qatar. The defeat was widely attributed to tactical errors in his lineup and substitutions, which Ghalenoei himself partially dismissed as misfortune. This failure to convert a talented squad into a championship, echoing the disappointment of his first stint in 2007, remains a significant blemish on his record.

🌍 A Wasted Opportunity at the 2026 World Cup

The 2026 World Cup represents perhaps the most glaring example of style over substance. Ghalenoei's side finished the group stage unbeaten, with draws against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt. However, they were still eliminated, finishing ninth among third-placed teams and missing the knockout rounds by a single spot.

This exit was particularly damning given the context:

  • A Favorable Draw: Iran was placed in a group with Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand, which many saw as the team's most hopeful opportunity to advance in World Cup history.
  • Tactical Bankruptcy: The team was criticized for its "route one" or "Ali Asghari" football, a long-ball strategy that failed to create coherent attacking patterns. The coach was described as lacking the tactical flexibility required against elite opposition.
  • Questionable Squad Management: Perhaps most controversially, Ghalenoei left star striker Sardar Azmoun at home, a decision labeled a "tactical crime". He also relied on a core of players over 30, neglecting younger talent.
  • Poor In-Game Decisions: His substitutions and in-game reading were heavily criticized, with baffling decisions made against Belgium and a failure to adjust tactics when key players like Mehdi Taremi were isolated.

📉 Out of His Depth at the Highest Level

The recurring critique is that Ghalenoei, despite being a legend in the domestic league, is out of his depth at the international level. At the World Cup, he appeared "reactive, hesitant, and ultimately outmatched" compared to other coaches. His pragmatic, defensive approach may succeed against continental rivals, but it lacks the tactical nous required to compete with the world's elite.

📊 A Statistical Mirage

The impressive win percentage and low loss count are, therefore, a statistical mirage.

  • Inflated by Weak Opposition: Many of these victories have come against weaker Asian and Central Asian sides.
  • Context of the World Cup: The unbeaten record at the 2026 World Cup is a hollow achievement, as the team failed to secure the single win needed to progress from a group they were expected to navigate.
  • Elite-Level Failures: When faced with the highest level of competition or the pressure of a knockout tournament, the team has consistently fallen short.

In essence, Ghalenoei's record is one of a manager who has mastered the art of not losing but has repeatedly failed to master the art of winning when it truly matters.

TOURNAMENTS

#CompetetionYearLevelResult
1AFC Asian Cup 2007ContinentalQuarter-Finals
2CAFA Nations Cup2023RegionalChampion
3AFC Asian Cup 2023ContinentalSemi-Final
4CAFA Nations Cup2025RegionalFinal
5FIFA World Cup2026WorldGroup Stage

RESULTS OF THE LAST 10 MATCHES

#DateOpponentStage / TypeScoreResultVenue / Stadium
4721 Jun 2026BelgiumFIFA World Cup0 - 0DSofi Stadium , Los Angeles
4615 Jun 2026New ZealandFIFA World Cup2 - 2DSofi Stadium , Los Angeles
4504 Jun 2026MaliFriendly2 - 0WMardan Stadiuml
4429 May 2026GambiaFriendly3 - 1WMardan Stadium , Antalya
4331 Mar 2026Costa RicaFriendly5 - 0WMardan Stadium , Antalya
4227 Mar 2026NigeriaFriendly1 - 2LMardan Stadium , Antalya
4118 Nov 2025UzbekistanFriendly0 - 0DHazza Bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
4013 Nov 2025Cape VerdeFriendly0 - 0DHazza Bin Zayed Stadium, Al-Ain
3914 Oct 2025TanzaniaFriendly2 - 0WRashid Stadium, Dubai
3810 Oct 2025RussiaFriendly1 - 2LVolgograd Arena , Volgograd

Players used- 10 TOP

Ghalnnoei has selected 122 players in his two tenures with Team Melli. Some players he selected were not able to play any matches. The top players who played are as follows:

#Player NameMatches Played
1Mehdi TAREMI44 Caps
2Saman GHODDOS36 Caps
3Saeid EZATOLAHI35 Caps
4Shojaa KHALILZADEH35 Caps
5Mohammad MOHEBI35 Caps
6Alireza BEIRANVAND34 Caps
7AliReza JAHANBAKHSH33 Caps
8Hossein KANANI-ZADEGAN30 Caps
9Milad MOHAMMADI30 Caps
10Ramin REZAEIAN28 Caps

Iran vs Kyrgyzstan: Match Review

On Thursday, Team Melli will face Kyrgyzstan for the fifth time at Fooladshahr Stadium in Esfahan. The two teams last met in the CAFA Nations Cup, where Team Melli secured a dominant 5-1 victory in Bishkek.

There have been few changes in both squads, with the most significant being the appointment of Maksim Lisitsyn as the new head coach for Kyrgyzstan, replacing Š. Tarkovič.

The teams first crossed paths in the preliminary round of the FIFA World Cup France 1998 in Damascus, where Team Melli comfortably defeated the newly independent Kyrgyz side with a 7-0 win.

With almost all key players available for Amir Ghalenoei, Team Melli is expected to secure a convincing victory. The forward line of Team Melli is arguably the strongest in Asia, featuring the likes of Mehdi Taremi and Sardar Azmoun up front, with Ali Gholizadeh, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, and Mehdi Ghayedi operating on the flanks.

However, concerns remain in defense, particularly with an aging center-back duo and a lack of defensive cohesion that has seen Team Melli concede goals against various opponents. Alireza Beiranvand, a stalwart in goal for many years, has experienced a dip in form, making his position less secure.

The midfield also presents challenges, as players like Saman Ghoddos, Jahanbakhsh, and Saeid Ezatollahi have struggled with match fitness and practice, with the first two currently without clubs. The team will rely on Gholizadeh to inject creativity and dynamism.

Despite these issues, Team Melli should have little trouble winning this match, and anything less would be considered a significant setback, especially in a competitive group that includes AFC Asian Cup holders Qatar and strong opponents like Uzbekistan and the UAE.

Teams Last 5 matches

Kyrgyzstan

Iran

25/01/24Oman1 - 1D
21/03/24Chinese Taipei0 - 2W
26/03/24Chinese Taipei5 - 1W
06/06/24Malaysia1 - 1D
11/06/24Oman1 - 1D
Kyrgyzstan
07/02/24Qatar2 - 3L
21/03/24Turkmenistan5 - 0W
26/03/24Turkmenistan0 - 1W
06/06/24Hong Kong2 - 4W
11/06/24Uzbekistan0 - 0D
Iran

Head2Head Results

H / A / NMatchesWDLGoals+ / -
H22009 - 1+8
A11005 - 1+4
N11007 - 0+7
Total440021 - 2+19
DateComp.H / A / NFinal scoreVenue CityAttendance
16.06.2023CAFA Nations Cup A5 - 1Bishkek10000
07.06.2016FriendlyH6 - 0 Tehran4500
09.06.1997World Cup QualifierH3 - 1Tehran50000
04.06.1997World Cup Qualifier N7 - 0Damascus25000
The matches

The challenge ahead for Ghalenoei.

Less than 20 days to go for Amir Ghalenoei’s next trial with Team Melli when the squad travels to meet Bulgaria for a friendly match in Hristo Botev Stadium in Plovdiv. Following that, if we believe FFIRI officials, there will be another friendly international against Angola in the Azadi stadium which is undergoing heavy maintenance!

So far, Ghalenoei’s second stint with Iran has been quite successful. Taking part in CAFA Nation Cup was quite effective, victorious, and a morale-boosting exercise for the squad as a whole. Never mind all those critics, who believe that Iran should only play the likes of Argentine, Brazil, Spain, and England rather than Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. It is a combination of ignorance and arrogance that has marred Iranian football for years and is one of the factors that have resulted in the regression of standards. We all know what happened last time Iran met England, right?

Arranging the two friendlies in FIFA Day was an excellent effort by FFIRI, which has been nothing short of a political comic show for years run by dubious characters injected by the regime to serve its political doctrine. We have had very little compliment to offer those men in FFIRI, but arranging the friendlies, playing in CAFA Nations Cup and the Jordan 4 side tournament in the critical time before the AFC Asian Cup 2023, is a fine job and credit must be given to the decision-makers.   

Ghalenoei, then, will have little excuse to complain about the lack of preparations. Although nothing runs smoothly in Iran, at least there are enough matches to give the coaching staff a pretty good idea of whom to play and whom to leave out. Undoubtedly, there will be complaints during the camp as the National Training Centre where the team will be residing, has lots of problems highlighted by other sporting teams.

Ghalenoei, like coaches before him, has inherited a team, that has no shortage of talent, experience, and quality despite some sensitive divisive issues. Apparently, there is still some bitterness between the two camps of players during the Dragan Skocic removal saga. That aside, Ghalenoei has to deal with more pressing issues.

The squad is getting old and that was apparent in the last World Cup. Only one player is under 25, while many have gone over that critical 30 years line. The direct impact of an aging team is, of course, stamina and pace. Historically, Iranian teams for some odd reasons, never had a good pace in their sides. Players like Khodadad Azizi, Mehdi Mahdavikia, and before them, legends like Hassan Rowshan  were the odd ones out and are not in abundance in Iranian football these days. That is a big disadvantage, that Ghalenoei can do little about in the coming period. Teams like Japan and Korea, with a combination of pace and skill, can be a serious threat to the laggard Iranians.

While Team Melli is well endowed in defense and offense and to a certain extent, goalkeeping, it is the middle of the field where Team Melli falls short of the opposition. Saeid Ezatollahi and Saman Ghoddos have been big disappointments, especially the former. Amiri is aging and not a 90-minute player, Nourollahi and Gholizadeh huff and puff but never manage to take a game by the scruff of the neck, Hajsafy in his dynamic roles, sometimes in defense and sometimes midfield, is also suffering from a lack of pace and stamina. That leaves Jahanbakhsh and Mohebbi as the two players in the middle of the field, and flanks, who must take this heavy burden of supporting the forwards. Both are essentially attacking players.

There is no creative midfielder in this current Iranian team. Even if Ghalenoei tried to introduce such quality in midfield, he will have a hard time finding such talent in a league that lacks quality, creativity, and inspiration.

While expecting a major facelift in Team Melli in less than 5 months is unreasonable, the building period for future Team Melli has to start after the AFC Asian Cup in Qatar. But for now, it is a sure bet that Ghalenoei will not contemplate any major changes. Like any other coach, he might prefer players that can serve his purpose and tactics, so we will not be shocked by excluding some current Team Melli starters come the Asian Cup 2023.

It is essential that Ghalenoei does not lose control of the discipline and make an example of players like Kananizadegan whose childish antics were in front of all to see. Losing such control could be the Achilles Heel of the squad.

What is behind KananiZadegan's childish act?

Mohammad Hossein Kanani-Zadegan in his own right, is perhaps not brilliant but a good defender who has shown that he can compete with the best if he puts his mind to it. He represented his country at youth levels in the U17 in 2008, U20 in 2011, and U23 in 2014 teams before getting a call for Team Melli in 2015. However, it is quite clear that his brain and attitude have not grown since he was on the U17 team.

Long known for his indiscipline and indiscretion, Kananizadegan nearly ruined the final of the CAFA Nations Cup 2023 in the final minute of the match in which Team Melli was winning and in no danger of losing it, by the defender’s unprofessional and childish behavior.

Referring to such an attitude, a former Team Melli player said "It is a pity that such a player with such ethics and immature behavior is a member Of team Melli.” Said Mehdi Fonoonizadeh. “ You won't observe such behavior from kids playing in back alleys of our cities, yet this guy does it at the international level! “

Fonoonozadeh who strongly criticized Kanaizadegan continued “ He sits on the ground like a child and doesn't want to leave the field after being sent off. The clash that happened after that between the two sets of players which also sent the bench of both teams into the field, was all due to Kananizadegan’s childlike behavior threatening the continuation of the match and fights between players.”

“ This controversy by the amateurish Kanaizadegan put the game in disrepute and the reputation of our national football was called into question because of one ugly conduct. I hope the management and coaching staff, especially Amir Ghalenoei, will deal with this issue with full force, and not allow these ill-manners to creep into Team Melli”.

Fonoonizadeh concluded by saying “ If we intend to claim the AFC Asian Cup against professional opponents, fully prepared physically and mentally, by such indiscretions and indiscipline, it will definitely cause the Asian Football Confederation to have a different view towards our country's football.”

The last time Kanaizadegan was in hot water was when he was caught during the Covid curfew trying to sneak a girl into the Team Melli camp during Dragan Skocic's reign. The Croat coach was criticized by many for failing to discipline the player, however, and under much pressure from the media, the FFIRI suspended Kanainzadegan for a meaningless friendly months after the incident.

Without blowing this incident to a bigger proportion, the fear is that indiscipline amongst Team Melli is growing quite alarmingly and so with it is the players' power. Generally speaking, Iranian coaches have not been proven efficient in controlling players’ misbehavior. Amir Ghalenoei is more inclined to praise his team and ignore their shortcomings and behavioral indiscretion. He is also excellent at diverting blame after defeats. So, expecting a strong reaction from Iranian coaches is like expecting a midnight sun. Mehdi Taj and his entourage are even less inclined to sanction players.

Fonoonizadeh was not the only football personality who criticized Kananizadegan, many others did so too, but the deadly silence of the federation and the coaching staff, up to now, towards Kananizadegan case, might expose a much bigger problem within the camp. The repeated messages about how the players are working together and being cordial to each other make one wonder why such news is filtered through by the media. Such unity between players should be a norm in any national team camp, why is it being constantly highlighted here?

Does it take the case of Kananizadegan to find out who is really running Team Melli?

Team Melli lifts the CAFA Nations Cup 2023

Iran's national football team defeated host nation Uzbekistan in the final of the CAFA tournament to lift the inaugural championship

A goal by the second leading goal scorer of the tournament, Sardar Azmoun in the 48th minute from a nice assist by Mehdi Taremi settled the match early in the second half.

While the two teams were testing each other, a cross from the Uzbek winger saw the clumsy Beiranvand rushing out in an attempt to punch the ball clear without an awareness of the position of his teammates, as such he managed to punch the ball and the head of Saeid Eztollahi leaving the midfielder bleeding in the head. Beiranvand himself was also injured and could not continue. He was replaced by Payam Niazmand. A repeat performance for Beiranvand against England in the FIFA World Cup.

The physical nature of the game against Uzbekistan led by the absent Serco Katanic, due to illness, caused the referee to repeatedly blow his whistle for fouls.

The most serious threat of the first half was the Uzbeks' counterattack by Uranov in the 43rd minute, where the ball hit the post. Apart from that, no real action was created by the two sets of forwards.

in the second half, Vahid Amiri replaced the ineffective Mehdi Ghaeid in order for the two strikers to get a better service from the flank. Ghalenoei's change of plan paid off soon after the re-start for the second half. Taremi got the bell from the left flank and saw Azmoun free right in the box, his pass was well controlled by Sardar who then composed himself to shoot powerfully into the net to announce the first goal.

After this goal, Team Melli tried to control the game's pace rather than go out on an all-out attack. They played a logical possession football with some intricate passing that was delightful. Niazmand was hardly tested by the Uzbeks players who were getting frustrated as the time went on.

Next, the Uzbeks tried to threaten the depth of the Iranian national team's defense with their long passes, realizing the slow pace of the defenders, especially Hajsafi and Pouraliganji. In one attack, they nearly managed to score when the Uzbeck player found himself in plenty of space left behind Hajsafi and then a dribble past Poyralganji but haste and Nizamand's timely interception prevented the Uzbel player from scoring.

In a match that neither team managed to take control of and which was about to end victoriously and peacefully for Team Melli, a petulant act from the notorious Hossein Kananizadegan nearly threatened to erupt the match right at the end.

Kananizadegan, who was earlier cautioned by the Russian referee for one of his silly and totally uncalled-for fouls when he pushed the Uzbek keeper, Yusupov, while he was trying to shoot, The center back got the second card in the 90th minute when he started a childish protest against something that he did not like demanding a penalty. His zealous protest led the Russian referee to award him another yellow card and subsequently the red and the marching order.

The center back, sulking and crying foul refused to leave the field and instead, he sat down on the lawn in protest. This aggravated the Uzbek players, a couple of whom tried to lift Kananizadegan up and force him out of the field where he should be rather than on the lawn. An altercation between the two teams' players followed and if it was not for some cool heads from both sides, the situation could have turned quite ugly scenes.

After Kananizadegan's petulant act and his dismissal, Ghalenoei did not risk it and replaced Mohammad Karimi who himself replaced Azamoun in the 75th minute, with Majid Hosseini to secure the heart of the defense.

The match ended 1-0 and was a deserved victory for Team Melli.

Oman took third place after defeating Kyrgyzstan 1-0

Ghalenoei Ivankovic Nabi in Tashkent Jube 2023

Brank Ivankovic visits Team Melli camp

The former Head Coach of Team Melli, Branko Ivankovic, paid a visit to the training camp of Team Melli in Tashkent and had a cordial chat with Team Melli head coach Amir Ghalenoei and several players including Sardar Azmoun and Mehdi Taremi.

The Croat is considered one of the most popular foreign coaches of Team Melli who later also coached Persepolis. He started working in Iran as an assistant to the late Miroslav "Ćiro" Blažević who coached Team Melli in 2001. Branko followed Blažević as head coach of Iran from 6th February 2002 to 19th September 2002. He was back at the helm a year later when Homayoun Shahroukhi was removed for Ivankovic to take over on 12th October 2003.  Team Melli enjoyed a successful period under Ivankovic and managed to qualify for the World Cup 2006 in Germany after which he left the Team again.

Ivankovic has been coaching Oman National team since January 2020.

Both Iran and Oman are taking part in the CAFA Nations Cup 2023 with Iran scheduled to play host Uzbekistan in the final while Oman is playing Kyrgyzstan in the playoff match in Tashkent.

Second victory for Team Melli in CAFA Nations Cup 2023

Team Melli faced Kyrgyzstan in the final group match of CAFA Nations Cup 2023 this Friday evening. The match ended 5-1 for Iran with Mehdi Taremi scoring a hat trick (34', 39', and 56') and Sardar Azmoun helping himself to a brace (56' and 66'). Morzaev (52) scored the only goal of the host.

It is the second game in a row by Amir Ghalenoei players which was accompanied by a high-scoring victory, while the possession of the ball and the field was completed in the hands of the Iranian national team.

This team was able to score two goals in the first half by using the players' tactical intelligence and the combined efforts of Mehdi Taremi. The second half was accompanied by the Kyrgyz shock. A blunder by Morteza Pouraliganji's in clearing the ball in the box, and Beiranvand poor positioning and awareness, allowed the Kyrg striker to score their only goal of the match, to the delight of about 10,000 spectators present at the "Dolan Omurzakov" stadium in Bishkek.

It was for the second consecutive game against that the second-ranked team in Asia, that Team Melli has been breached with ease due to a combination of factors. That fact that Team Melli was easily scored against must have raised a few alarms in the coaching staff.

Amir Ghalenoei has some serious work to do on the defense.

Also, a point of concern was the failure in the game plan to change offensive moves, as the team tactics is becoming obvious. There has to be a combination of plans to attack as the stronger teams will not be so easily defeated by crosses from the flanks.

Mehdi Taremi showed his high quality when he again scored a hat trick for the second consecutive game.

The introduction of Sardar Azmoun to replace the ineffective Reza Asadi changed the game up front. the Pair Azmoun and Taremi scored three times.

Team Melli has now qualified for the final match to be played against Uzbekistan next Tuesday.

Apart from the strikers Azmoun and Taremi, Mohammad Mohebbi played a solid game as well. Ramin Rezaeian, Mehdi Torabi, and Omid Nourafkan were also at their best. Reza Asadi, Pouraliganji, Beiranvand were the weak links.

Match Preview: Iran v Kyrgyzstan

Team Melli will face host Kyrgyzstan in the final group match of CAFA Nations Cup 2023 today Friday 16th June at 18:30 Iran time.

The winner of this match will go through to the CAFA Nation Cup 2023 final as the leader, while the losing team will play in the ranking match.

Iran leads the group on goal difference with three points and a goal difference of 5 and Kyrgyzstan with three points and a goal difference of 3 as both assured a trip to Uzbekistan for the next stage. The third team, Afghanistan lies at the bottom of the table without any points. If Iran needs only a draw against Kyrgyzstan, to qualify for the Final match which will be against Uzbekistan.

in Group A, Uzbekistan has qualified for the final match by heading the group while one team from among the teams of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Oman will be playing the 3rd playoff match.

Iran and Kyrgyzstan have faced each other three times before today, which resulted in three victories of 6-0 (1995), 3-1, and 7-0 (1976) for Iran.

H / A / NMatchesWDLGoals+ / -
H22009 - 1+8
A00000 - 0+0
N11007 - 0+7
Total330016 - 1+15
DateComp.H / A / NFinal scoreStadiumAttendance
07.06.2016FriendlyH6 - 0Azadi Stadium, Tehran4500
09.06.1997World Cup Qualifier / Group 2H3 - 1Azadi Stadium, Tehran50000
04.06.1997World Cup Qualifier / Group 2N7 - 0Al Abbasyeen Stadium , Damascus25000

This is Iran's first participation in CAFA Nations Cup and regardless to the results, it would be a confidence booster for Team Melli preparing for AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023. In the first game, Team Melli defeated Afghanistan 6-1 to head group B table and did not have a hard time against its rival. For the second game, Team Melli will face a team that is ranked 97th in FIFA, and in the last meeting between the two teams in 2015, they won 6-0 against the Kyrgyz Republic. In that meeting, Mehdi Taremi, Mehdi Torabi, Sardar Azmoun, Masoud Shojaei, and Karim Ansarifard scored for Iran.

Despite needing a draw only to face Uzbekistan in the final, Team Melli under Amir Ghalenoei will be aiming for a win in Bishkek in front of an expected full-capacity stadium. The Kyrgyz national football team, the host of the CAFA Nations Cup 2023 Group B, has made good progress compared to previous years. In their first game, they won 1-0 against Afghanistan, and the only goal of the game was scored in the 97th minute, which did not amuse the Afghanistan team. While the team protested an ugly scene led by the Kuwaiti coach Abdulla Mutairi ensued. He forced and pushed the Afghan Player to leave the field.

As a result, according to the decision of the disciplinary committee of the tournament, Kyrgyzstan was declared the winner 3-0, despite scoring one goal only. Kyrgyzstan needs to defeat Iran to advance to the final while it is assured a place in the top four. According to local media, the match is sold out hours before the start with Kyrgyz spectators grabbing the most. Their fans are hoping for a miracle from their country's team and a famous victory against ran.

Team Melli trounces Afghanistan 6-1

Team Melli outplayed Afghanistan at Dolon Amorzakov Stadium in Bishkek in its first match in the CAFA Nations Cup 2023 winning 6-1.

With that result, Iran takes a commanding lead in Group B of the tournament as it only requires a draw against Host Nation Kyrgyzstan next Friday to qualify for the final match in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Mehdi Taremi scored a hat trick in the match which included a penalty, while Azmoun, Jahanbakhsh, and Asadi helped themselves to one goal each.

Contrary to expectations, Amir Ghalanoei preferred to use most of the main players in the match against the 155th FIFA ranking team in order to get familiarized with the players that will most probably form the core of the starting lineup in the AFC Asian Cup next January.

As predictable, the game was dominated by the favorites Iran from the first minute, and by the 3rd minute, Team Melli could have scored with Mehdi Taremi's shot on Alireza Jahanbakhsh's pass, but Afghanistan's goalkeeper blocked the ball. Iran's pressure finally paid off in the 20th minute, with Sardar Azmoun opening the score tally after a cross from the left by team captain Ehsan Hajsafi's cross. Azmoun neatly headed the ball into the net to give Iran a 1-0 lead. One minute later, Team Melli scored again, and this time Mehdi Taremi did the trick to make it 2-0.

Five minutes later, a foul by the Afghan goalkeeper Faisal Hamidi on Tarimi in the penalty area resulted in a penalty, which Taremi himself dispatched cooly into the net in the 28th minute. In the last minutes of the first half, Afghanistan caught the Iranian defense napping and could have scored in their first real attack of the match, when Musawi passed the ball in front of an empty goal but Niazmand managed to grab it just before passing the goal-line.

In the 45th minute, Azmoun skilfully dribbled his markers in the box and sent a neat pass to Taremi, who stepped over the ball and left it to the on-rushing Jahanbakhsh. The Feyenoord winger scored Iran's fourth goal with a precise shot.

In the second half and in the 51st minute, Mehdi Taremi completed his hat trick when he scored his third goal and Iran's fifth from a deep pass by Omid Nourafken. In the 57th minute, a foul was committed by Saeed Ezatollahi on the Afghan forward right on the edge of the box, where the Iranian midfielder was left for dead by the nifty Afghan's dribble. Ezatollahi had no choice but to foul him for a free kick. The resulting shot produced the best goal of the match which was scored by the Afghan captain Farshad Noor with a ferocious shot into the roof of the net. Niazmand had no answer to that shot.

That spectacular free-kick goal made the result more respectable and precious for the underdogs. However, 10 minutes later, Iran scored the sixth goal by the substitute forward Reza Asadi who recorded his first national goal on a back pass by Sadegh Moharrami. In the rest of this match, the efforts of both two teams did not yield results, as Iran came out with a clear 6-1 winner.

Team Melli will face the Kyrgyz team on Friday, June 26 at 18:30 Iran time in the second game of the CAFA Nations Cup 2023.

starting line-up.

Iran: Payam Nazam, Ehsan Hajsafi, Sadegh Moharrami, Mohammad Hossein Kanaanizadegan, Seyed Majid Hosseini, Saeed Ezzatollahi, Omid Nourafkan, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Mohammad Mohebbi, Sardar Azmoun and Mehdi Taremi.

Head coach: Amir Ghalenoei

Afghanistan: Faisal Hamidi, Farshad Noor. , Amanullah Sardari, Mehboob Hanafi, Farzad Ataei, Mohammad Saharani, Basit Mushtaq, Ali Basit Nazari, Tofi Eskandari, Yama Sharzad and Omid Mousavi. Head coach: Abdullah Motairi. who was suspended for the rest of the tournament and was watching the match from the stands.

CAFA Nations Cup 2023 Diary.

Taremi's attack on CAFA!

After the training session of Team Melli under Ghalnoei yesterday, Mehdi Taremi was quizzed by a horde of journalists and reporters on his view n Team Melli. After the customary praise of the head coach, effusing about the qualities of Amir Ghaleneoi. whom he never worked with in his club career, the interesting part was Taremi's comment on the Technical value of CAFA Nations Cup. " Such a tournament has no value for The National Team." The Porto forward decried, albeit indirectly, pointing to the low standard of the participating team, while he said added that he understands that taking part in the tournament is a commitment and needs to be respected."

When a reporter reminded him that Team Melli has always lagged behind others in the preparation and organization of friendly practice games, Taremi was unimpressed and stuck to what he said!

Perhaps not the wisest of characters on and off the field, as a professional who plays in the top league in Europe, his declaration that it CAFA has little value lacks insight. During the preparation for the FIFA World Cup, Iran managed only two quality friendlies while Japan, Korea, and Saudi Arabia tripled that number.

Taremi forgets that it is not winning in these matters that matter, it is a big chance for the coach in his new job to understand, evaluate, and familiarize himself with the qualities of his players and their capabilities in different formats. What better than a handful of games in a matter of a week or so?

Sardar Azmoun also gave a brief interview after the practice session on the same subject of CAFA. Asked about the value of this tournament for Team Melli's preparation, Azmoun said that "We have all the respect for all participating teams, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan Oman, and the rest. Our mission as players is to execute what the management has planned, It is not for me to answer that question, you need to direct it at the federation leaders, not players. Our job is to play and represent our country at international levels"

The rebel Kuwaiti coach of Afghanistan makes headlines

The video where the head coach is directing his players to leave the pitch is going viral across social media.

Abdullah Al Mutairi, a mediocre Kuwaiti coach at best with hardly any achievements in his coaching career, beckoned, or rather, forced the Afghan players to leave the field after Kyrgyzstan scored the winner deep into injury time.

The game was level at 0-0 when Kyrgyz Republic found the winner deep in minute 97 of the match which gave them a huge chance of winning the match. However, a massive controversy took place immediately after the goal as Afghanistan’s head coach, in protest, forced his players to leave the playing area before the final whistle. Despite a few attempts by the referee to simmer down the heated situation, the former head coach of the Nepal men’s national team was not in a mad state signaling the referee has been bribed!!.

The sight that followed the walkout by the Afghanistan men’s national team was embarrassing. Kyrgyz Republic’s players celebrated their opponents leaving the pitch while Abdullah Al-Mutairi applauded sarcastically.

People like Al Mutairi with zero credibility as a coach and a track record for controversy, should be put away from football. There is no place for such characters in the beautiful game. Granted, football has become tarnished in the last few years as it is not the purist game, with commercial interests, bribery, and corruption in the World of Football making headlines, the beneficiaries are most the leaders at the top. depriving young footballers of playing their beloved game is bigger than anything. This is why the like of Al Mutairi needs to be made an example with FIFA, AFC, and CAF need to act by giving him the heaviest sentence possible. Long, preferably permanent, suspension from the game should be applied.

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