Tag: FIFA World Cup 2018

Team Melli upcoming friendly internationals.

With so much rumors and uncertainties around Carlos Queiroz , Team Melli might very well be facing Croatia and FYR Macedonia without a permanent coach.

Team Melli is scheduled to play the Croatian national team in its first international football match ever in the northern city of Koprivnica in May.

The friendly international at the end of May is part of the build up for the host to Euro 2016 in France.  While Team Melli would be using this match for its own build up for the third round of FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifiers. The match will be the first to be hosted in the city and Koprivnica.

Croatia and Iran have met twice before in friendlies. Croatia won 2-0 just before France ’98 in Rijeka and the two sides played out a 2-2 draw in Osijek in a warm-up before the World Cup in 2006 in Germany.

Team Melli is scheduled to meet Macedonia in Skopje on 4th June after the Croatia match.

With the recent outburst of  Carlos Queiroz and his contempt against the Secretary General of the FFIRI, the Portuguese coach has clearly paved the way for his exit from Team Melli. Queiroz has become a divisive figure in Iranian football. There are those who strongly support him , and that would normally be the fans who do not have any voting power, and those who do not stand him for his brash and abrasive style. The latter category would be the ones with power and close to decision makers.

As of now, it is question of waiting time.

Tough test for Team Melli.

Team Melli will host Oman in the final round of Group D Asian zone FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifiers on Tuesday. The match is of a crucial importance to Oman while Team Melli will be entering in the match in a much calmer attitude.

With a superior goal difference by 15, Iran are almost certain to finish on top even if they lose their three-point lead with a defeat to second-placed Oman at the Azadi Stadium.

The Omanis are currently seventh in the rankings of the runners-up but, with only three points separating second from eighth, could make a final day surge by beating Iran.

Oman has always been a tough opponent for Team Melli. In the away match in Muscat , Team Melli managed a draw in a match that the Omani’s were the better team and exposed some vulnerabilities in Team Melli midfield and defense lines.

However, this match will be quite different.

Azadi is like no other venue for the guests, especially when it is filled with passionate Persian mass  fever. The biggest stadium in Asia can hold up to 110, 000 fans and the noise generated buy such mass can take the opponents apart before even the kick off. The Omani’s will find it that much harder to play their football under such environment. Although Azadi is not expected to be full, the fact that the match admission is free and many Iranians are still in Nowrooz holiday, the crowds numbers will be significant.

Carlos Queiroz embarked in another brave move by selecting what was virtually his second team last time against India, Despite some glitches the new look Team Melli managed to score four past India the weakest team of group D. It could have easily been double that figure, though.

Oman on the other hand did not find it so smooth against the resilient and vastly improved Guam in their last match in Muscat. They barely managed to score late in the game to keep their hope of qualification to the next round alive,

Oman is still the underdog in tomorrow’s match, but surprises are aplenty in football. The Wiley Queiroz , will be having a different team this time round as Dejagah , Teymourian and the rest of the first choice players will be back in the lineup to prevent any possible surprises by the Omani’s.

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Esteghlal club threaens to boycott Queiroz!

After the unprovoked attack by Carlos Queiroz on Rahmati following Esteghlal’s goalkeeper excellent form in the derby, the club issued a strong statement questioning Queiroz motives, his behavior and the continuous absence of punitive measure against him following a series of misdemeanors since he took over Team Melli.

With 10 days to go to the match against Turkmenistan in the FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifiers, the Portuguese coach is already embroiled in several conflicts starting with the ethics committee who have issued statements questioning him about illegal payments from UHLSports, the Team Melli Kit providers and another public war with the Secretary General  of FFIRI, Alieza Asadi.

True to character, Queiroz has opened another front now, this time against Esteghlal club and Rahmati. Esteghlal, along with Persepolis are the two most popular clubs in the country and their response was rapid and very strong.

Extracts from the long statement follows:

During week, Iran’s national football team coach conducted interviews and issued several statements. His interviews and statements contents were full of cruel words both spoken and written. In those statements, Insult, humiliation, and flagrant display of antagonism, perhaps more than ever exposed Queiroz real character exhibiting his retaliatory behavior.

Carlos Queiroz has long been belittling various personalities, including the General Secretary of the Iranian Football Federation, players and sports officials, insulting and ridiculing them in the process. Unfortunately he has not been held accountable for such. In reference to the Captain of Esteghlal team, he has issued statements using ridiculous words in the hours of night and with a bizarre content that were astonishing and leads to questioning of Queiroz’s mental status and motives while creating resentment between millions of Esteghlal fans.

[pullquote align=”right”]”he has no right to publicly insult or question the character of the player.” [/pullquote]

Team Melli coach can assess the capabilities of players and consider their technical abilities to decide if he will invite a player or ignore him for selection to the squad, however he has no right to publicly insult or question the character of the player.  Are these tirades, statements and direct insults that he deploys a part of his character and culture? Perhaps this time Queiroz, and pursuant to the excellent form of Mehdi Rahmati ran out of technical excuses for not inviting him and found himself short of verse in the poem, even embarrassed, so he engaged in character assassination. Unfortunately, this behavior of his, once again typifies his extreme nature and as such his demeanor has to be severely questioned.

rahmati_mehdi

By using such method, Queiroz is putting his motives under question. His behavior and manners are totally rejected. In other words, social consciousness and human morality dictates that a foreign guest must have respect for Iran and Persian culture. Queiroz presence in major European teams has not enhanced his reputation as such, however it managed to create a great illusion of personality in his own mind surrounding himself with such false impression that he is beyond accountability.

With all due respect we have for the position of national team coach, Queiroz has overstepped the line, and took a bite more than he can chew and bigger than his mouth.

Now it is time to address how this person manipulative behavior like raising the flag of our country in frenzy, obscene gesture towards an opponent coach , insulting behavior against a referee and many other misdemeanors, that we all conveniently brushed aside  in the name of patriotism and protecting Team Melli.

[quote class=”If we did not want him, we would not have signed with him after the World Cup”] We will stop providing players to be under the control of this type of character![/quote]

It is expected from both the Football Federation and the national team coach Carlos Queiroz to withdraw that absurd statement against Rahmati or deny it if it has not occurred. It is expected that both sides to apologize to the club, the millions of supporters of Mehdi Rahmati and the player himself.

If you continue this rhetoric and the use of inappropriate language by a national team coach, Esteghlal club will hold both sides legally and morally accountable, and shall not only seek legal action with these perceived insults, but will stop providing players to be under the control of this type of character!

We believe there are more to this than technical issues or matters related to selection of players, we suspect that the coach wants a way out and by creating such turmoil and turbulent atmosphere, it seems the ideal way of exiting.

When Queiroz says that Rahmati does not possess the character, he has insulted more than the players himself but tens of National coaches and other team Melli coaches like Daei, Ivankovic , Ghotbi, Faraki and Peyrovani whom all picked and selected Rahmati for Team Melli.

In Iran , the a person is judged on his character , behavior , respect for others , esteem and not by his monetary value, of course in a country like Mozambique it could be different.

Queiroz :“We need to rekindle the spirit of the World Cup 2014″

Carlos Queiroz invited the fans to support Team Melli in its quest for qualification to FIFA World Cup 2018 starting with the home match against Guam in Azadi on Friday.

In the pre-match news conference, the head coach of Team Melli believed that his team has the best available players in Iran and assured the fans that they will be witnessing a winning spirit by the best squad that is available to him.

“We need to rekindle the spirit of the World Cup 2014 team and that of the Asian Cup 2015. If we do that, I am confident of winning all the way. Tomorrow’s match is important step for us and we must come out as winners. I am sure you will see a competent performance that will make you happy.” Queiroz added.

The Friday match which was supposed to be played in Karaj , Enghilab stadium , was switched to Azadi because of lack of quality hotels in Karaj!

The confident sounding Portuguese coach and true to form took the opportunity as always to take a swipe at his critics and that phantom “Enemy of Team Melli” ! Accusing some without naming them, Queiroz said “Some people don’t like to see Team Melli winning and those people don’t like to face realities. They are upset because of my support for Kaffashian (…)” That last comment was perhaps more directed at Ministry of Youth & Sports. Kaffashian has warned Queiroz about confronting the Ministry earlier on.

[quote class=”If we did not want him, we would not have signed with him after the World Cup”]”When we played our first two matches we set the target of being on top of the group. But people laughed at me when I said that. Well, look at us now, if any team takes us too lightly they will trip up.” [/quote]

 Guam coach Gary White

Asked about his response to Guam Coach who said that it is Iran that will be under pressure tomorrow, Queiroz said “I have no problem with that statement, he is free to think however he wishes. Let me tell you that I am thrilled to be under pressure. Those who cannot stand the heat should not be in the kitchen cooking.”

Queiroz who is also the master of stating the obvious, sarcastically targeted those who questioned his commitments “For those who follow football, they know that Guam has won 2 matches and heading the group with maximum points. So, it is not a team to be taken lightly. We respect them but that is as far as it goes.”

Queiroz only recently returned to Iran after a long absence leading to some criticism from section of the press that he is undermining Guam team while the more difficult game against Oman is not given its due importance as far as team preparation is concerned. Team Melli only gathered for training about 1 week ago.

Despite the unending wrangles of the Portuguese coach, his gallant selection of a young team has given him an advantage and silenced a large section of his critics scoring a moral victory in the process. Whether he can sustain this victory is all dependent on the outcome of the next two matches. Failing to beat Guam could be the catalyst for the coach. On the other hand, two good results and 6 points will go a long way in increasing the Portuguese popularity at least amongst the fans.

The match on Friday against Guam is at 19:00 local time.

GROUP D
TEAMS MP W D L GF GA +/- Pts
Guam  GUAM
 2 2 0 0 3 1 2 6
Oman  OMAN
 1 1 0 0 2 1 1 3
Iran  IRAN
 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1
Turkmenistan  TURKMENISTAN
 2 0 1 1 1 2 -1 1
India  INDIA
 2 0 0 2 2 4 -2 0

 

A look at Guam preparations and prospects.

In less than a month, Guam has once again ascended to its highest-ever FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking – No. 146 in the world – with the latest release published by FIFA.com.

HARMON – The new ranking comes ahead of the Matao’s next set of 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia and AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Joint Qualification Round 2 fixtures – Sept. 3 against I.R. Iran in Iran and Sept. 8 against Oman in Guam.

“This is a very exciting time for Guam football – just last month I was praising Guam’s national program for reaching the 150s in the world for the first time in history,” said Richard Lai, Guam Football Association President. “Now, we’re in the 140s and ranked above countries like Hong Kong, Singapore, and Indonesia, all with a long history of football achievements in Asia. I am looking forward to see what more we can do. We couldn’t have accomplished what we have in recent years without the full support of FIFA, AFC, EAFF, the local community and business sponsors.”

With the rise in world rank, Guam is also ranked No. 22 in Asia, surpassing 25 other more established football countries in the continent.

“I’m very pleased with the progress the team continues to make in recent years, though I truly feel that Guam has not yet reached its peak,” said Gary White, head coach of the Guam men’s national team. “There really is no limit as to what Guam can achieve in international football as evidenced by the national team’s recent first-ever victories over Turkmenistan and India in June to lead Group D in the joint qualification and many other ‘first-ever’ results in recent years. In fact, before the June matches, hardly anyone took me seriously when I stated that I believed Guam would lead Group D – a group that includes Asia’s No. 1 country, I.R. Iran – at the conclusion of the opening matches of its 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign. 

“With every historical milestone we achieve, we’ll continue to set our standards even higher. This is not only for the team, but for Guam’s entire national football program. There are now certain high expectations to meet each time Guam competes,” White added.

Following the FIFA World Cup Qualifier matches in September, next on the Matao’s schedule is its second fixture against Turkmenistan, scheduled for Oct. 13 in the Central Asian country, followed by a match against India on Nov. 12 in Bangalore. The team returns to Guam for a Nov. 17 match against I.R. Iran at the GFA National Training Center, before waiting until Mar. 24 next year to face Oman in Oman.

Tickets for the upcoming Guam vs Oman match scheduled for Sept. 8 may be purchased beginning this week at GFA. Ticket prices range from $20 to $40 based on seating sections.

guam

Garry white writes:

Since learning of Guam’s opponents, I, along with my coaching staff, have done a considerable amount of research coming to the final stretch before the scheduled matches. Before facing I.R. Iran on Sept. 3, the team will be in a short training camp in Japan, and after the match, will return to Guam for a home match against Oman — a 30-hour flight each way!

With Guam in a considerable lead in group standings, these highly anticipated matches will be closely watched not only by fans from the competing countries, but fans and media around the world, all who have kept the discussion about Guam’s progress and success alive to this day. Fans in Guam will have the rare opportunity to witness the Guam-Oman fixture live, with so much riding on the result of the match.

If you haven’t done so already, buy your tickets at GFA to watch the match against Oman, set to kick off at 4 p.m. on Sept. 8, following the Labor Day holiday. Not only will you be treated to an intense, high-caliber match, but your support may be the necessary fuel for the team’s success, as felt during the Matao’s first two FIFA World Cup Qualifier wins.

The match will be in the same week as the opening Saturday of the Triple J Auto Group Robbie Webber Youth League, and will hopefully inspire the next generation of the Matao and Masakåda, Guam’s senior national teams.

Gary White, or the “Gaffer,” is Guam Football Association’s technical director and head coach of the men’s national soccer team.

 

Queiroz under fire again.

A member of the parliamentary Sports Sub-Committee faction has severely criticized Carlos Queiroz , the head coach of Team Melli , for failing to meet his obligations towards his duty. The Majlis representative censured the contract with Queiroz and said “ When the contract was signed in the manner of Treaty Turkmenchay* with some articles that are not enforceable, one should expect these indiscretions”

According to Mehr news agency, Seyyed Shrarif Hosseini was particularly concerned with the long and frequent vacations that the Portuguese head coach embarks on the rumors that Queiroz’s is negotiating to sign with the national team of Mexico and said “the development of football in Iran necessitates quality and class coaches, but the Football Federation and the Ministry of Sport should have full control on the coach and not allow him to act autonomously and as he pleases. It is safe to say that Queiroz is controlling the federation and dictating his terms, rather than the other way round.”

Representative of Ahvaz in Iranian Parliament added that this situation has arisen because of external factors. Those other factors than the Federation and the Ministry were involved in the contract, and Queiroz manipulated the federation by including many clauses which has led in many cases for the coach to allow him to not to carry out his commitments and duties but escape punitive actions.

Carlos Queiroz withe the Argentine Volleyball coach Velasco in Tehran Airport.

He said state television devoted several programs to the survey and posting polls in regard to Queiroz , and since there was a large percentage of voters favoring Queiroz, the federation (FFIRI) felt it was under pressure to sign with the Portuguese coach under difficult conditions. In a way, Queiroz held the federation at ransom because they (FFIRI) dreaded to go against the will of the people.

Hosseini said in an interview with news agency “As someone who specializes in football , I strongly believe that everyone should do their job in an organization, it is a collective work. Respect for authority and peer reverence should be maintained so that the Football Federation does not fall under pressure during decision-making in coordination with the Ministry of Sports. Iran football will not be destroyed if Queiroz leaves, and if he remains, I doubt that he will make us world champions, but now we must wait and see what he decides.”

Carlos Queiroz was last on duty on 11th of June in the match with Turkmenistan. After returning to Tehran, he left for an extended leave to his native Portugal, where he still remains. Queiroz next official assignment is to attend the AFC sponsored conference 1st AFC Conference for National Team Coaches in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on August 18th-20th.

 While there is only one month left to the match against Guam in the preliminaries of the FIFA World Cup 2018, Team Melli has not gathered yet since the Turkmenistan match.

* Treaty Turkmenchay*   :عهدنامه ترکمنچای : a treaty signed between the Persian and the Russian Empires which concluded the Russo-Persian War (1826–28). It enforced hard conditions on Persia including the seizure of Russians of many territories of Persia.

Iran to play Japan on October 13th.

The friendly international against Japan has been finalized and will be played on FIFA Day on 13th October 2015 in Azadi Stadium.

The match will come 5 days after Team Melli has played Oman its main Group D rival in FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifiers in Muscat. This friendly has been discussed  between the two federation but only finalized yesterday to nicely slot between the two teams commitments in the World Cup qualifiers.

Both the Asian giants have stumbled in the first round of FIFA World Cup qualification rounds 2018 with Japan surprisingly being held by Singapore at home, and Iran facing the same against Turkmenistan away. As such , this edition of the competition might be a shade more difficult than both Iran and Japan has expected and matches like this friendly will be beneficial for the two main contenders for a place in World Cup 2018 finals in Russia.

The friendly in Tehran will be the first between the two teams in 10 years . The last time the two have met was in the World Cup 2006 qualifiers where Iran lost 2-1 in Yokohama. None of the players in that match will be featuring in the October friendly.

The Iran and Japan rivalry goes back to the fifties of last century. The two teams met for the first time in the Asian Games 1951  semi-finals in New Delhi, where the match ended goal-less. In the replay the next day Iran drew first blood and won in a closely fought match 3-2  with 2 goals from Mehdi Masoud-Ansari and one from Masoud Broumand. Japan goals came from Masanori Tokita and Toro Kagawa.

16 matches have been played between the teams with Iran edging Japan by 6 wins against 5. 5 matches were drawn.

Disappointing draw for Team Melli.

Team Melli was unable to capitalize on its supremacy in the match against Turkmenistan and ended the match in a 1-1 draw in the first match of Group D of the FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifiers. These rounds of matches are also considered as the qualifiers for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.

The match started brightly for Team Melli taking full control. The goal came as early as the 4th minute when the Sardar Azmoun dribbled past two defenders before slotting the ball at an acute angle between the Turkmen Goalkeeper and the upright. Team Melli was 1-0 up and threatening to run riot.

The match continued its one way direction with chances one after other being missed by Iran. Amiri, Torabi , and Heydari all had good chances to score but the 2nd goal was not coming. Nikita Gorbunov standing firm in Turkmenistan goal.

Turkmenistan finally reached Iran goal after 16 minutes, however that first attempt exposed the shaky Haghighi who was not too confident against the shot.

Heydari then sent a perfect cross from the right, met majestically by the flying Azmoun who headed powerfully against crossbar with Nikita Gorbunov stranded, the ball was cleared on the rebound.

SHOCK GOAL

And then an amazing lapse of concentration in the back of Team Melli resulted in an unexpected equalizer for the host. The Turkmen midfielder passed Hajsafy with ease, then outrun Ando Teymourian to cross, with both Pejman Montazeri and Hossein Kanani just watching. Ruslan Mingazov came from behind to pip Ghafoori who was the nearest to the ball to slot an easily ball with Haghighi stranded on the other side of the goal, could not save. An undeserved equalizer for Turkmenistan against a pedestrian Iranian defense.

The manner that the goal was conceded must worry Queiroz. Certainly not acceptable for a team that is looking to reach the world cup.

The 1st half ended 1-1 in a half that Iran has controlled and should have been 2 or 3 goals up. However , there were gaps in the performance and some profligacy by players especially Masoud Shojaei. This player seems to be permanently fixed player although his form for the last few years has been abysmal with club and country. Queiroz obsession with this player is an enigma!

Nevertheless, even Queiroz , his ardent supporter must have realized that the pedestrian Shojaei was a liability and rightly replaced by Omid Ebrahimi in the second half.

SECOND HALF

The 2nd half of the match started in the same manner as the first. Iran had much of the ball and several half chances were created. Weak finishing prevented Team Melli regaining the command of this match.

Mehdi Taremi committed a totally unnecessary foul to get himself booked while he was on the pitch on for a few minutes only. Another player that might be a source of concern.

With the match continuing, Turkmenistan players grew more confident and more aggressive in this half as the result of scoring the goal and managing to stop Iran from scoring further.

Haghighi blunder nearly cost Team Melli when he fumbled the ball after a mild shot, Kanani cleared the rebound.

Ruslan Mingazov came close for the hosts with a thunderous shot that beat Haghighi but also was wide of the upright.

In the last quarter of the match, Team Melli continued pressing using the good old crosses, which seemed to be the only option. Several crosses ended up with Azmoun and Taremi who missed the target by small margins.

This tactics of crosses was the result of the bad pitch that did not aid playing on the floor and also due to the parking the bus of Turkmenistan. The only shortcoming was all the crosses came from the right side as Team Melli had little options from the left, something that Queiroz must be worried about.

And then the Turkmen players started time wasting as early as the 70th minute!

The onslaught by Team Melli continued right to the end without a result. Alarmingly the only shot on target from distance came right at the end of the match when Ando released a ferocious shot in 88th minute. Gorbunov only parried the ball then cleared by the defense.

 At the end, it was a disappointing result for Team Melli. This team is definitely work in progress, There are obvious shortcomings one of which is the acute shortage of creative players. The midfield is simply short of idea and skills to feed the forwards.

Uzbekistan vs. Iran : Match preview

Despite a disappointing AFC Asian Cup 2015 , Mirjalal Qasimov is determined to bounce back strongly in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The friendly against Iran at Bunyodkor’s Metropolitan Stadium, Tashkent is seen as tough test against the top ranked Asian team before starting the long road in the qualifiers. A strong showing by Qasimov’s men will augur well for their first match against North Korea away in Puyong Yang.

Mirjalal Qasimov – Head Coach of Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan’s top priority is making it to the FIFA World Cup 2018 being held next door in Russia. Nothing short of qualification for their first ever World Cup will be satisfactory for the Uzbek who seem to have put all their resources into this project.

Uzbekistan is going through a transition where the older generation has all but disappeared and Qasimov is counting on young promising players to achieve their objective. Players like Sardor Rashidov of Bunyodkor  was excellent in the AFC Asian Cup 2015 while Igor Sergeyev (Pakhtakor) and Ikrom Aliboev are awaiting their chances to shine for their country.

Qasimov still has some of the veterans on hand. Former AFC Player of the year Server Djeparov (2008 and 2011)  and the tough tackling Vitaliy Denisov are still part of the squad but playing peripheral roles. Their experience is considered vital by Qasimov in their quest to make it to Russia in 2018.

7 Uzbek players make their living abroad including  Fazil Musayev who had quite a successful season in Iran’s winning the league title with Sepahan Esfahan.

 

Iran

Iran on the other hand , is considered on of the favorites to make it to the FIFA World Cup 2018. Like Uzbekistan , this match will be a stern test and a good warm up for Carlos Queiroz who found Uzbekistan quite a tough nut to crack when they last met in the qualifiers of the last World Cup.

It is not expected that Queiroz will divert away from his solid defensive game plan. With the skeleton of the 2014 World Cup and 2015 Asian Cup team , Queiroz will continue with the same strategy minus Javad Nekounam who has retired from international football.

The most significant blow to Queiroz will be the absence of Ashkan Dejagah , one of Iran’s best players for the last few years. However , with the excellent Vahid Amiri in form and the emergence of Ehsan Hajsafy in midfield, Dejagah’s absence will be minimized.

The only real concern for Queiroz will be in the goal. Team Melli might find it tough going without a quality keeper between the posts.

 

Prediction

It is expected to be a tight and closed match with  the most likely result being  goalless or a small margin win for either sides. Entertainment value is not expected to be high.

 

 

Match details

UZBEKISTAN vs. IRAN

Venue: Bunyodkor’s Metropolitan Stadium,

City : Tashkent

date: Thursday 11th June  2015

Time: 17:30 (Tehran)  13:00 GMT

 

 

 

IRAN vs. UZBEKISTAN

Head to Head results

H / A / N Matches W D L Goals + / –
Home 1 0 0 1 0 – 1 -1
Away 2 1 1 0 1 – 0 +1
Neutral 2 2 0 0 6 – 1 +5
Total 5 3 1 1 7 – 2 +5

 

Date Comp. H / A / N Final score Stadium Attendance
14.11.2012 World Cup Qualifier H 0 – 1 Azadi Stadium , Tehran 40,000
03.06.2012 World Cup Qualifier A 1 – 0 JAR Stadium -Tashkent 9,000
05.09.2009 Friendly A 0 – 0 Tashkent / Pakhtakor 9,500
11.07.2007 Asian Cup / Group C N 2 – 1 National Stadium Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur 3,000
14.12.1998 Asian Games N 4 – 0 Suphachalasai 2,500

 

UZBEKISTAN Squad

# Players’ name Date of birth Football Club

Goalkeepers
1 Eldor Suyunov -1991 Nasaf
2 Akbar Turaev -1989 Bunyodkor
3 Ignatiy Nesterov- 1983 Lokomotiv

Defenders
4 Anzur Ismoilov- 1985 Changchun Yatai, China
5 Shavkat Mullajanov -1986 Lokomotiv
6 Shukhrat Muhammadiev -1989 Nasaf
7 Egor Krimets -1992 Pakhtakor
8 Islom Tuhtahodžaev -1989 Lokomotiv
9 Vitaliy Denisov -1987 Lokomotiv, Russia
10 Akmal Šorahmedov -1986 Bunyodkor
11 Farrukh Sajfiev- 1991 Nasaf

Midfielder
12 Aziz Haydarov- 1985 Al Shabab U.A.E.
13 Odil Ahmedov- 1987  -Krasnodar, Russia
14 Server Djeparov -1983 -Ulsan, Hyundai
15 Lutfulla Turaev -1988 -Lokomotiv
16 Sandzhar Tursunov- 1987 vorskla, Ukraine
17 Sardor Rashidov -1991 Bunyodkor
18 Shohrukh Gadoev- 1991 Nasaf
19 Ikrom Aliboev -1994
20 Khasanov Jasur – Locomotive 1983 Lokomotiv
21 Fazil Musayev – 1989 Sepahan, Iran

Forwards
22 Zohir Kuzibaev -1986 Mash’al
23 Nasimov Baҳodir – 1987 Padideҳ Eron
24 Igor Sergeyev -1993 Pakhtakor

Queiroz is fed up with broken promises.

The Portuguese coach is not a happy man after the cancelation of the proposed Turkey training camp which was supposed to be conducted for a week before Iran’s friendly against Uzbekistan.

On Saturday, Carlos Queiroz who was supervising the training of Team Melli in the local camp in Tehran spoke of the broken promises and how he was promised that everything will be available to him to conduct his job , but in the first real trial , the promises are already hot air.

“We can go on playing this silly game. I was assured of all the necessary resources to carry out the mission to qualify but just as before and like the old days, the promises were never delivered. I have specifically and strongly demanded that resources should be at hand as a condition of renewing my contract, now you can see what has happened.”

Queiroz refused to comment on the reasons behind the cancelation of the Turkey camp however, he emphasized that he needs resources to continue his job.

“We will start the World Cup campaign from tomorrows. Tell me, how can I conduct my job? If I talk, they will accuse me of being a bad boy and the bad man of football. Not that I really care as my priority is to defend the interest and reputation of Team Melli.” Queiroz added.

The cash strapped football federation is under severe pressure financially with a substantial amount of money due to the federation from the World Cup , still being held in Switzerland because of banking restriction on money transfer to Iran.