Millions of Iranian men and women, boys and girls danced in the streets of major Iranian cities to celebrate Team Melli’s victory against Morocco to register its first win in the FGIFA 2018 World Cup and only the 2nd victory in the history of the competition. The first win being the historic match vs USA in Lyon in World Cup 1998.
To the displeasure of the religious factions and extremist, Girls danced, men sang and the whole crowd forgot their daily hardship to enjoy this unique moment of joy in a remarkable display of patriotism
After The dust has settled, and after all the so-called experts got it all wrong by favoring the Moroccans, Queiroz and his coaching staff need a long thought about what has emerged from the match against Morocco
Team Melli impressed in qualifying rounds, the defense was impeccable conceding only in the last game against Syria when Iran has already qualified, Iran remained unbeaten throughout and only let in five goals in their 18 qualifying matches.
Queiroz and the boys were both left rueing the draw that saw them placed in the same group as 2010 winners Spain and European champions Portugal, with only the top two sides advancing to the last 16.
Spain and Portugal, 10th and fourth in the world rankings respectively, have won four major tournaments between them in the past 10 years. Before the match, Queiroz said his side had been “drawn in the hardest group in the World Cup”.
Going into injury time in St Petersburg, it looked like being a result neither Morocco nor Iran wanted, before Morocco’s Sofyan Amrabat conceded a needless free-kick by fouling Saman Ghoddos near the corner flag.
But that gave Ehsan Haji Safi the opportunity to whip in the free-kick, and Bouhaddouz could only steer the ball into his own net for an Iranain victory.
Morocco and its suitor can bemoan their luck . the experts can have their excuses for getting it wrong , but that is already water under the bridge. Team Melli needs a vast improvement comes the 20th June when they play the Matadors.
Biranvand was solid and any fears of flouting seemed like just a scare. The defense was well below the experience of the other group teams with Rouzbeh Chesmi who played all the 90 minutes having only 11 caps and substitute Majid Hosseini only 1 cap! However, they stood the pressure well and the Moroccans only 2 real chances, both yielding no results.
It was the midfield where the Most Valuable man for Team Melli was playing. Omid Ebrahimi was exceptional, his hustling, penetrations, that golden pass to Azmoun and his forcefulness was a delight to watch. In contrast, Ansarifard was far from effective in his unfamiliar role. Shojaei did manage to be effective but the service to the forward line was found wanting. Amiri and Jahanbaksh operated as wingers but none of them supplied quality balls to Azmoun who was not in his best form admittedly.
Queiroz will have a different strategy and game plan for Spain. He is the master of defensive strategy and not much of a believer in pressing opponents. Such tactics that Moroccans used did not yield results. Queiroz is wary of the individual skills of the Spaniards and will refrain from engaging them deep.
For Spain, Jahanbakhsh needs to raise his game. Amiri might not suit Queiroz tactics and on the half back, Milad Mohammadi could be a potent weapon to supply crosses to Azmoun. Depending on the readiness of Dejagah , he will surely be needed if he is fit.
Spain, is far from formidable. It suits Team Melli for all their opponents to be the favorites. Queiroz will have his master plan ready for the novice Fernando Hierro despite the high class of the Spanish players and the immense experience and championship pedigree they possess.