Tag: Doha

A winning start for Iran Beach soccer.

Iran Beach soccer team started its pursuit to defend its Asian Title by defeating Lebanon 3-2 in Doha , Qatar. The 2015 Asian Beach Soccer Championship matches are being held in the Katara Arena on the beach of Doha with the presence of 15 teams. Lebanon scored the first goal but Mohammad Ali Sadeghi soon equalized for Iran. Farid Blokbashi put Iran in front with a spectacular header to make it 2-1 for the defending champion, before Mohammad Ahmadzadeh scored a third with one of his trickery shoots to put Iran 3-1 ahead with 6 minutes to go, A long range shot from Lebanon’s Halawi to make it 3-2 to ensure a thrilling finale, however Iran held comfortably and finished the first match on the right track with a hard fought win against an excellent Lebanese team. Naderi wasted a penalty in the match, saved by the brilliant Lebanon keeper. Iran will have a break tomorrow before meeting Thailand on Wednesday. The winners, runners-up and third-placed team of this tournament are all guaranteed a spot at July’s FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Portugal. Iran, the side ranked highest in Asia by FIFA, will face Thailand and Lebanon in Group D. In Group B, Japan, who finished fourth at the 2000 and 2005 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cups, are set to do battle with China, Vietnam and Kuwait, while the UAE, Uzbekistan and Iraq will compete in Group C. The top two teams from each group will progress to the competition’s knockout stage ahead of the final which will be held on March 28. Only six teams have confirmed their 2015 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup places so far – Italy, Portugal, reigning champions Russia, Spain, Switzerland and Fiji. AFC Beach Soccer Championship 2015 Groups Group A: Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Laos Group B: Japan, China, Vietnam, Kuwait Group C: UAE, Uzbekistan, Iraq Group D: Iran, Thailand, Lebanon

Zlatko Kranjcar on the brink of signing for Omid Team

Jafar Kashani , the Manager of Iran’s Omid team (Olympics) has announced that his federation and Zlatko Kranjcar are on the brink of signing a contract for the appointment of the Croat , formerly Persepolis and Sepahan coach , as the head coach of Iran’s Olympic team. “I am very confident that it is a matter of days for the final contract to be signed. From my side, I am fully satisfied with the outcome of the negotiation and quite pleased by the way that Kranjcar has negotiated the contract with us. He is a professional man, with high degree of integrity and values. He is not the opportunist type who negotiates even the minutest of detail regarding money or payments. Kranjcar has declared that if he fails to take Iran to the Olympics, he will resign his job with expecting any compensation or severance pay.”
Kranjcar watch Omid Team in Qatar alongside Kashani
Kashani and Kranjcar met in Doha where the Omid team is setting camp. Kashani concluded that “as far as I am concerned it is a done deal; however, I am not the only person in the federation. The process needs to go through the right channels before it is finalized, sealed and delivered.” Kashani refused to disclose the financial deal but said it is not very far from what Vingada was getting. The proposed contract will be for 21 months until the Rio Olympics.   "Omid Team ", translated into English  means "Hope Team". It refers to the Olympic or the U23 team.  

Ashkan Dejagah leaves Fulham for Al-Arabi

bbc.com  -29 July 2014 Last updated at 14:34 GMT

Championship club Fulham have sold Iran international Ashkan Dejagah to Qatari side Al-Arabi for an undisclosed fee.

The 28-year-old winger joined the Whites from Wolfsburg in summer 2012 and made 49 appearances during his time at Craven Cottage, scoring six goals. "Having spoken with Ashkan, we decided in the best interest of both Fulham and himself, that he would leave the club," Fulham boss Felix Magath said. "We wish him very much luck for the future at Al-Arabi." The German boss added: "During his time with us, he made some good appearances and scored some memorable goals. "However, we decided to part ways. "It will always be our policy to have players who are committed to the club and have a desire to work for the common goal." Dejagah featured in all three of Iran's games at the World Cup in Brazil.

Jalal Hosseini Joins Al Ahli of Qatar

Team Melli central defender , Seyed Jalal Hosseini has joined Al Ahli of Qatar on a one year deal and expected to be in Doha for his medical soon.

After the breakdown of negotiation with his current club , Persepolis , Hosseini , who was out of contract , decided to seek his fortune abroad and join another Iranian player , Mojtaba Jabbari in al Ahli.It seems that the current Persepolis CEO was not willing to honor the promises given to Hosseini by the ex CEO Mohammad Rouyanian in terms of financial settlements and  arrears in wages payments. The current CEO , Rahimi also refused to accept Hosseini's latest wage demands which he deemed to be unreasonable.

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Al Ahli of Qatar had Fereydoon Zandi on its roster , before the German Born Iranian suffered a horrendous career threatening injury.  Al Ahli  just announced recently that their ex-Iranian midfielder has retired from football after will be leaving the club. There are talks that Zandi might rejoin the club as a coach.

Last season , was one of the best in a decade of this once top Qatari club. After suffering relegation and languishing in the lower leagues for years, Al Ahli gained promotion the season before last under the shrewd coaching of Milan Macala. Al Ahli reached the semi-finals of the cup last season and finished the league  in a comfortable 6th position in the 14 teams professional league.

Several other Qatari clubs are seeking to recruit Iranian players. Most of the Team Melli players who are available for transfer have been contacted by Qatari clubs agents. So, far , Hosseini is the only deal that has been announced