Tag: FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers

Rashid Stadium, Dubai will host Iran vs Qatar game.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has announced that Rashid Stadium in Dubai, UAE, will host Iran’s home match against Qatar on October 15. This match is part of the fourth round of the third stage of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

According to the AFC’s official website, the match will kick off at 7:00 pm Doha time. The decision to relocate the match from its original venue, Imam Reza Stadium in Mashhad, Iran, was made due to the current geopolitical situation, necessitating a neutral ground for the fixture.

Dubai, known for its significant Iranian diaspora, offers a familiar environment for Team Melli. The city’s Rashid Stadium, home to Shabab Al-Ahli, where Iranian stars Sardar Azmoun and Saeid Ezatollahi play, is expected to provide a supportive atmosphere for the Iranian team. This relocation not only ensures the safety of the players and fans but also maintains the competitive integrity of the qualifiers.

The match is highly anticipated, as both Iran and Qatar are strong contenders in the Asian qualifiers. Fans from both nations are expected to turn out in large numbers, making it a vibrant and exciting event.

Team Melli landed in Dubai this evening after a flight from Tashkent, via Tehran for re-fueling and then Dubai.

Iran will be without 2 players due to injury, Jalali and Kannani and two due to suspension, Hardani and Saman Ghoddos.

Iran-Qatar match to be re-located to neutral venue.

According to Mehr news reporter, while it was previously announced that the match between the Iran and Qatar will be held at the Imam Reza Stadium in Mashhad, the Asian Football Confederation ruled, in a letter sent to the FFIRI , that this match should be held in a neutral country.

Ahmad Dunyamali, the Minister of Sports and Youth, said this Wednesday morning on the sidelines of the cabinet meeting: “Given the conditions we had in the last week or two, the AFC decided that this game should be held in a third country.” He continued: “Our proposal was to play the upcoming match against Qatar as a guest instead of as a host, and of course, this matter was subject to the approval of the AFC and the Qatari side.”

The Minister of Sports and Youth emphasized: “There is also a discussion of holding the match in another country, and our first proposal was Uzbekistan, but on the same day of the Iran-Qatar match, Uzbekistan is also hosting the UAE, and it is possible that the Iran-Qatar match will be held in another country, such as the UAE.”

The geopolitical situation seems to dictate the affairs and fears of escalation of hostilities in the Middle East has presented a challenge for the AFC and the host nations.

Ghalenoei “I don’t accept we have defensive weaknesses”

The head coach of Iran’s national football team, Amir Ghalenoei, will be the guest of the Uzbekistan national football team in Tashkent, with the match set to kick off at 5:30 p.m. tomorrow (Thursday). This will be the third match for both teams in the final qualifying stage of the 2026 World Cup.

During a pre-match press conference today (Wednesday), Ghalenoei expressed his pleasure at being in Uzbekistan once again. He extended his best wishes to Mr. Katanec, the head coach of the Uzbekistan team, for a speedy recovery from his recent ailment, hoping that his health issues will be resolved soon. Addressing the critics who believed Iran was placed in an easy group, Ghalenoei emphasized, “Tomorrow is a very difficult game for both teams. First of all, I hope to see a game that the fans will enjoy. We know that Uzbekistan is hardworking and plays with a football plan, but we are also Iran and we are near an ideal conditions.”

Ghalenoei highlighted the competitive nature of their group, noting that both teams have accumulated 6 points, which underscores the tough schedule they face. “This is a tough group, but some people thought we have an easy group. Two teams have got maximum points. I don’t want to talk about my tactical plans,” he said. He continued by urging his players to capitalize on the opportunities they create, referencing past matches against Kyrgyzstan and the UAE where they had chances to score more goals but were careless. “We will not allow such carelessness tomorrow. Both teams have positions, but the successful team is the one that has the necessary focus and uses its tactical tasks.”

In response to a question about the venue of Iran’s game against Qatar, Ghalenoei redirected the focus to the upcoming match against Uzbekistan. “I hope that only the question about the game against Uzbekistan will be asked and let you be our focus for tomorrow’s game. The great country of Iran is one of the best countries in the world and Iran is also one of the safest countries in the world,” he stated. He also mentioned that several elite Asian competitions have been held in Iran without incident, and they traveled to Tashkent from Tehran without any issues. “Let’s talk about the venue of the match with Qatar later and now focus on tomorrow’s game.”

Addressing concerns about Iran’s defensive vulnerabilities, Ghalenoei firmly disagreed with the notion of a defensive weakness. “If you pay attention, we kept a clean sheet in the last two games, unlike other teams, so I don’t accept your question. We are the only team in this group that has not conceded a goal. We had a clean sheet in the previous game against Uzbekistan. So we are working well in the defensive structure. Uzbekistan also has good players in the attack line, but we have a plan for them.”

Ghalenoei acknowledged the unpredictable nature of football, stating, “It’s football and a thousand things happen, but our team is ready to play in every way and we are waiting for a good game to get three points, but the result is in God’s hands. It is not right to speculate in football.” He responded to the Uzbeks’ defiant chanting by emphasizing that football is about effort and making the audience enjoy the game, with the result being a separate matter.

He concluded by expressing his happiness about the formation of the CAFA association, predicting that its member countries will become a significant force in Asian football. “Several teams reached the final stages of the AFC Asian Cup 2023. We are happy that we took part in the first CAFA Nations Cup and won the championship title, and we also beat Uzbekistan and kept a clean sheet,” he added.

Amir Ghalenoei Announces Team Melli Squad for FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers

Amir Ghalenoei has announced Team Melli’s squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers, with an away match against Uzbekistan and a home game against Qatar. Alongside familiar names, Ghalenoei has introduced two new, unfamiliar faces as part of his ongoing project to inject younger talent into the squad.

Notable Absentees

The squad will be missing one key player due to injury while some others due to strategic decisions. Hossein Kanani is sidelined with an injury, and three senior players—Ehsan Hajsafy, Karim Ansarifard, and Ramin Rezaeian—have been excluded from the team. This marks a significant shift as Ghalenoei looks to build a more dynamic and youthful team. It seems that the three senior players are destined to retire from Team Melli.

Rising Star: Mohammad Mahdi Zare

One of the most notable inclusions is Mohammad Mahdi Zare, a 21-year-old, 192 cm tall defender from Gol Gohar Sirjan Club. Zare has been a standout performer this season, seizing the opportunity presented by Masih Zahedi’s injury. Despite only sitting on the bench for the first game in a 1-0 defeat, Zare has since been a crucial part of a defensive line that has conceded only one goal in the subsequent five matches.

The list includes the welcome return of Mohammad Mohebbi after a long period of absence due to injury that disrupted his excellent performance with the Russian Club FC Rostov.

Strategic Decisions and Future Prospects

While it is unlikely that Ghalenoei will field Zare in the challenging matches against Uzbekistan and Qatar, the young defender’s inclusion in the squad is seen as a valuable opportunity for him to gain experience and prepare for future competitions. Ghalenoei’s strategy of integrating younger players is aimed at ensuring the long-term success and sustainability of Team Melli.

As Team Melli prepares for these crucial qualifiers, the blend of experienced players and emerging talents like Zare reflects Ghalenoei’s vision for a balanced and competitive team. The upcoming matches will not only test the team’s current capabilities but also provide a glimpse into the future of Iranian football.

THE SQUAD

No.PostPlayerDate of birth (age)CapsGoalsClub
1GKAlireza Beiranvand21 September 1992 (age 32)730 Tractor
12GKPayam Niazmand6 April 1995 (age 29)90 Sepahan
22GKHossein Hosseini30 June 1992 (age 32)110 Esteghlal
2DFSaleh Hardani26 December 1998 (age 25)80 Sepahan
4DFShojae Khalilzadeh14 May 1989 (age 35)442 Tractor
5DFMilad Mohammadi29 September 1993 (age 31)631 Persepolis
15DFAmin Hazbavi6 May 2003 (age 21)30 Sepahan
18DFAbolfazl Jalali26 June 1998 (age 26)60 Esteghlal
23DFAria Yousefi22 April 2002 (age 22)40 Sepahan
24DFAli Nemati7 February 1996 (age 28)00 Foolad Khuzestan
DFMohammad Daneshgar24 January 1994 (age 30)20 Sepahan
DFMehdi Zare25 January 2003 (age 21)00 Gol Gohar Sirjan
3MFMohammad Ghorbani21 May 2001 (age 23)40 Orenburg
6MFSaeid Ezatolahi1 October 1996 (age 28)701 Shabab Al Ahli
7MFAlireza Jahanbakhsh11 August 1993 (age 31)8617Free agent
10MFMehdi Ghayedi5 December 1998 (age 25)218 Ittihad Kalba
11MFAli Gholizadeh10 March 1996 (age 28)386 Lech Poznań
14MFSaman Ghoddos6 September 1993 (age 31)543 Ittihad Kalba
16MFMehdi Torabi10 September 1994 (age 30)517 Tractor
17MFMohammad Karimi20 June 1996 (age 28)40 Sepahan
21MFOmid Noorafkan9 April 1997 (age 27)241 Malavan
MFMohammad Mohebi20 December 1998 (age 25)236 Rostov
MFAmirhossein Hosseinzadeh30 October 2000 (age 23)30 Tractor
MFJavad Hosseinnejad26 June 2003 (age 21)20 FC Dynamo Makhachkala
9FWMehdi Taremi18 July 1992 (age 32)8751 Inter Milan
19FWShahriyar Moghanlou21 December 1994 (age 29)112 Ittihad Kalba
20FWSardar Azmoun1 January 1995 (age 29)8553 Shabab Al Ahli

Uzbekistan, the toughest test for Team Melli.

Team Melli Gears Up for Crucial Clash Against Uzbekistan

With just a week remaining before the pivotal match against Uzbekistan, Team Melli is banking on the strong form of its players across various leagues. As Iran prepares for the away fixture, head coach Amir Ghalenoei is expected to stick with a familiar squad, similar to the one fielded in the previous two matches. What bodes well for Team Melli is the impressive performances many of its key players have delivered at the club level in both domestic and regional competitions.

Key Players in Form

Sardar Azmoun has been in exceptional form for Shabab Al-Ahli in the UAE league, making headlines with his consistent performances. Likewise, Mehdi Ghayedi has impressed with his contributions for Ittihad Kalba, a smaller club, but one where he has made a significant impact.

Saman Ghoddos has also secured playing time after signing with Ittihad Kalba. Though the move from Europe to the UAE may seem like a downgrade for the midfielder who played all his professional career in Europe, regular minutes on the pitch are essential for his form, particularly with Team Melli in mind.

In Iran’s domestic league, most of Team Melli’s players have been solid, if not spectacular. However, one standout performer has been Javad Aghaeipour. His two goals in Sepahan’s AFC Champions League match against Istiklol of Tajikistan, coupled with his domestic league displays, make him a strong candidate for a recall to the national team. His form adds competition to an already crowded forward line.

Taremi’s European Brilliance

Mehdi Taremi had a standout performance for Inter Milan in their UEFA Champions League win against Red Star Belgrade, where he was named Man of the Match. Taremi played the full 90 minutes, providing two assists for Arnautovic and Martinez, before scoring a penalty to seal a 4-0 victory. After a disappointing display in Team Melli’s last match against the UAE, this performance will give Taremi a much-needed confidence boost ahead of the Uzbekistan game.

Ghalenoei’s Selection Dilemma

Amir Ghalenoei is spoilt for choice when it comes to squad selection, as Team Melli is brimming with talent. The challenge lies in how he can mold these individuals into a cohesive unit that can withstand the pressure of facing a formidable Uzbek side.

Uzbekistan: A Tough Opponent

Although Uzbekistan has a poor head-to-head record against Iran, they are a difficult team to overcome. Led by experienced coach Srečko Katanec, Uzbekistan boasts a tactically astute and disciplined squad. Katanec is known for his ability to exploit opponents’ weaknesses, and his strategic acumen will be a key factor in this encounter. Uzbekistan, still seeking their first-ever World Cup qualification, have been undefeated in this campaign and currently top the group on goal difference.

Tactical Battle Awaits

The match is shaping up to be a tactical showdown between two contrasting styles. While a draw may seem the most likely outcome on paper, Uzbekistan’s home advantage could tilt the balance in their favor. Team Melli’s defense, which has shown vulnerability in previous matches, will need to be sharp and organized to handle Uzbekistan’s dynamic attack.

The high-stakes clash will take place in Tashkent on October 10, 2024, at 17:30 Iran time.

Iran’s Head Coach Reflects on Strong Start to World Cup Qualifiers

IThe head coach of the Iranian national football team, Amir Ghalenoei, expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance in the World Cup qualifiers. Following a 1-0 victory against the UAE in the second match of the third qualifying round for the FIFA World Cup 2026, Ghalenoei shared his thoughts in a press conference.

Commendation and Critique

“I must congratulate Mr. Bento for the excellent team he has built. It is one of the best teams the UAE has produced. However, we were almost punished in this game. A match that could have ended with a three or four-goal difference in our favor was nearly a draw. Iran’s goal expectancy was 1.61 to 0.21, but possession was 60 to 40. We played with a plan, identifying and exploiting the UAE’s weaknesses. Despite this, we failed to convert 90% of our opportunities into goals. Football can be unforgiving, but fortunately, we were not punished today. We need to address our issues with poor chance conversion.”

Tactical Insights

Ghalenoei highlighted the tactical approach: “We had two plans. One without a leader to press in their midfield, targeting their number eight player, (Tahnoon Al Zaabi). The other plan involved Sardar, who created many chances that we unfortunately did not capitalize on. We hope that Jahanbakhsh, Ghoddos, and Saeid Ezatollahi will return to form for the next game.”

Fan Support and Criticism

He also acknowledged the fans: “I thank the fans who supported us today. Despite being fewer in number than the local fans, they did not let us down. Criticism is good and leads to improvement, but it should aim to help the team. The previous game was played on an unfavorable field, but today we played on a beautiful pitch. We gained six points and kept a clean sheet, but I expect more from my players.”

Looking Ahead

Regarding the upcoming match against Uzbekistan, Ghalenoei said: “All games in Asia are tough now, with teams becoming more competitive. There was criticism about inviting players like Saeed Ezatollahi, who is recovering from injury, and Jahanbakhsh and Saman Ghoddos, who are without clubs. However, their conditions will improve in the next month. After a short break and monitoring the domestic League and AFC Elite League games, we will discuss the next game plans.”

Pressure and Expectations

When asked about the pressure of qualifying for the World Cup, Ghalenoei responded: “Iran has been an Asian powerhouse for many years, and expectations are high. This pressure motivates us to work harder and make our people happy with good games and results. We aim to improve game by game and advance to the World Cup, with bigger goals in mind.”

Players ratings UAE vs. Iran

Perhaps the performance of Team Melli was not impressive, but compared to the last time out against Kyrgyzstan, it was a positive improvement. Ghalenoei managed to shake the team and it yielded results. Individually, no player made a big impact, while some key players were quite disappointing, some have improved. Declining performance by key players must worry the head coach as he counts on them in crucial moments as they are the ones who can turn the game and results upside down.

Goalkeeper

Alireza Bieranvand – 7.3

The Iranian custodian too didn’t really face many serious challenges, as he was vigilant throughout and made two saves when needed. He also bagged a clean sheet here. He was helped by some lackluster UAE shooting and a strong defense in front of him

Defenders

Saleh Hardani – 6.5

A vital figure in defense for Team Melli, Hardani made three clearances and blocked one shot. He was quite sloppy in possession though, giving it up 16 times during the game. His runs on the flank were missing.

Hossein Kanaani – 7.0

Kanaani was important in circulating the ball from the defense and showed exemplary positional awareness. His partnership with Khalilzadeh was solid and they covered each other very well.

Shoja Khalilzadeh – 7.4

With six clearances, Khalilzadeh demonstrated wonderful reading of the game and won three of his four ground duels too. The center-back’s passing, though, was questionable at times. Despite a lack of pace, he was never caught off-guard behind any of the UAE forwards due to his excellent positioning awareness.

Milad Mohammadi – 6.9

Mohammadi was overwhelmingly involved in defense, making vital clearances to nip UAE’s chances in the bud while also laying one key pass to open up a chance for his side. He tends to drift in and out of the game. He missed a good opportunity to score.

Midfielders

Omid Noorafkan – 6

An average performance from Noorafkan, who offered no great shakes either defensively or while going forward. He does not seem to be comfortable playing a midfield role

Saeid Ezatolahi – 7

Tough in tackles, Ezatolahi was biting at the heels of the UAE forwards, always looking to pluck the ball off them. In fact, he won five of his six ground duels and made two interceptions. His defensive work was good but his long passes forward lacked the accuracy to create any danger for the opposition

Saman Ghoddos – 6

He was rarely involved during the game, completing just 10 passes in 57 minutes while his only effort at goal was off-target too. If that wasn’t enough, Ghoddos was also booked for an ill-timed challenge early into the second half. Way off his normal standard and showing no sign of improvement from the previous match.

Forwards

Alireza Jahanbakhsh – 6

The Iranian ace struggled to win his duels but made some vital interventions defensively throughout the game. He even mustered two shots in the game, one of which was on target. Not effective as expected. He got cautioned for a wild tackle.

Mehdi Ghayedi – 8.1

The 25-year-old winger put Team Melli in front with a clinical finish just moments before half-time. He kept giving his marker a hard time. Before his goa, Ghayedi scored a goal that was disallowed. His shortfall was too much reliance on the referee to whistle for fouls on him! His goal was an excellent piece of skill, persistence, and accuracy. Man-of-the-match for Iran.

Mehdi Taremi – 4.9

An uncharacteristically poor game for Iran’s prolific hitman, who misfired badly. All three of his efforts on the night were off target, missing two big chances too. His miss from a brilliant assist by Azmoun was unforgivable for a player of such stature and playing in Serie A.

Substitutes

Ali Gholizadeh – 6.3

He can be a much more productive player if he concentrates on his game and refrains from playing referee. His dribbling skills are a delight to watch. He replaced Ghayedi just before the hour.

Sardar Azmoun – 5.8

The Iranian Messi had an off day, failing to light up the stadium with his usual attacking brilliance. The highlight of his performance was the accurate weighted pass to set Taremi which yielded nothing due to his partner’s failure to connect properly.

Mohammad Ghorbani – 6

He made sure the UAE don’t find a late equalizer to share the spoils. More playing time has to be given to this player to integrate with the team. Good potential.

Mohammad Karimi – N/A

He came in the dying embers with only a few seconds remaining on the clock.

Head Coach

Amir Ghalenoei – 7.4

He dared to bench Azmoun and that says a lot about his character. His defensive game plan was executed to perfection against a stubborn and determined opposition, however, upfront, his players failed him. Needs to re-think the route one football though. Unlike the Kyrgyz match, his substitution was positively effective.

Team Melli Secures Hard-Fought Victory Against UAE

Match Day 2 of the Third Round of FIFA World Cup Qualification

Team Melli managed a labored win against the UAE in Match Day 2 of the Third Round of FIFA World Cup qualification, with a solitary goal by Mehdi Ghayedi in Al-Ain. Iran and Uzbekistan now head the table of Group One after two rounds and will next meet each other in Tashkent. The top two teams of the group will directly qualify for the Finals of the FIFA World Cup in 2026, hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Ghalenoei’s Tactical Changes

Unsatisfied with the team’s performance against the Kyrgyz Republic, Ghalenoei made several changes to his lineup. Out went Azmoun, Hezbavi, Gholizadeh, and Yousefi, with Kanani, Hardani, Ezatollahi, and Jahanbakhsh filling their places. This brave move by Ghalenoei had an immediate impact on Iran’s game.

Match Dynamics

Despite the UAE taking control of the game with neat passing and ball distribution, Iran’s solid defense, particularly in the center with the duo Khalilzadeh and Kanani, formed a fortress that the UAE players struggled to penetrate. On the other hand, Team Melli wasted many balls and scoring opportunities.

While Team Melli’s overall ball distribution was much better than in the previous game, the final ball was often poor and wasteful. Ghaedi found the net in the 36th minute, but it was ruled offside. However, the Ittihad Kalba winger made no mistake in injury time, stealing the ball from his marker just inside the UAE box and shooting a wicked ball that left UAE keeper Khalid Eisa frozen, watching the ball hit the net.

Second Half Struggles

In the second half, UAE’s pressure increased. Azmoun and Gholizadeh were subbed in to give the forward line some impetus. The impact of the two players was immediate, especially Gholizadeh, who despite his eye-catching moves and dribbles, hurt the team’s chances by crying foul every time the UAE players challenged him. Mehdi Taremi, a supposed world-class player, was guilty of a horrible miss after a glorious pass from Azmoun. Azmoun himself was wasteful during an Iranian counterattack, making the wrong pass to Taremi surrounded by at least two defenders while Gholizadeh on his right, had miles of space and not a single defender near him.. Jahanbakhsh had earlier repeated the same mistake. The final pass and decision-making marred Team Melli’s performance.

Defensive Strengths and Weaknesses

On the positive side, the defensive plan was more effective, although balls directly from Shojaa and Kanani to the forwards were not fruitful, as Iran lacks pace up front. Saed Ezatollahi had a good day for a change, but Ghoddos and Jahanbakhsh still carry many question marks regarding their performance. Both were cautioned in the match. The silliest yellow card for Team Melli was for Beiranvand for time-wasting, which was so obvious that the excellent Korean referee could not ignore it. No sooner had Beiranvand received his yellow card than Milad Mohammadi got his yellow card too for the same offense on a throw-in. Totally unnecessary in such a level of competition.

Late Drama

There was some drama near the end when the referee called a penalty for UAE. allegedly for a handball on Hardani, while he was on the ground. A subsequent VAR check followed, and the referee canceled the kick with no sign of Hardani handling the ball at any stage.

Looking Ahead

With two wins out of two, Team Melli is beaming with confidence and slowly covering the gaps. It was not a polished performance by any means, but an improvement nevertheless. Ghalenoei must continue to refine his tactics and address the team’s weaknesses to ensure success in the upcoming matches.


None.
Starting Line-up
UAE
Khalid Eisa
Khaled Ebraheim
Abdulla Idrees
Khalifa Al Hammadi
Kouame Kouadio
Tahnoon Al Zaabi
Yahia Nader
Abdulla Hamad
Harib Abdalla Suhail
Caio Canedo
Yahya Al Ghassani		Alireza BEIRANVAND
Hossein KANANI-ZADEGAN
Milad MOHAMMADI
Shojaa KHALILZADEH
Saman GHODDOS
Saeid EZATOLAHI
Saleh HARDANI
Omid NOORAFKAN
Mehdi GHAEDI
AliReza JAHANBAKHSH
Mehdi TAREMI

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

Ghalenoei Criticizes Lack of Suitable Stadiums for International Matches

Amir Ghalenoei, the head coach of Iran’s national football team, expressed his frustration over the inadequate stadium facilities available for international matches in the country. Speaking at a pre-match press conference ahead of Iran’s game against Kyrgyzstan, Ghalenoei did not hold back in addressing the shortcomings.

“There has been a clear lack of effort and attention to this issue, which has resulted in this unfortunate situation,” Ghalenoei stated. “However, I appreciate the efforts of Zob Ahan Club and its management for preparing Fooladshahr Stadium for this match. Their work has saved us from potential embarrassment.”

Ghalenoei further mentioned that other provinces, despite having larger and more suitable stadiums, refused to cooperate with Team Melli, leaving them with limited options. “Fooladshahr has a decent pitch, but it requires proper maintenance. The turf has an expiration date and should be regularly cared for to remain usable,” he urged.

Analyzing the Opposition

Turning his focus to the upcoming game, Ghalenoei praised Kyrgyzstan’s new head coach for his deep understanding of the nation’s football system, having coached at both grassroots and youth levels. “They are a hardworking team, especially strong defensively,” Ghalenoei remarked, noting that the match would be challenging.

The coach also commended the preparation of his own team, highlighting the success of their training camp. “The conditions have been excellent, and this has been one of the best camps we’ve held. The players are motivated and training with high intensity.”

Balancing Youth and Experience

Ghalenoei acknowledged the ongoing criticism surrounding squad selection, especially regarding the balance between experienced players and younger talents. “Every time we announce a squad, we face criticism. We are working to lower the average age and bring in younger players to support the national team in the future. But these changes must be gradual and measured, ensuring we still get results while protecting the young players’ development.”

He emphasized the importance of careful selection: “Our choices are based on thorough analysis. We’ve been watching the players throughout the league, and while mistakes can happen, our process is transparent. The national team is open to everyone.”

For Ghalenoei, age is just a number. “It’s about quality and readiness. Our goal is to field a team that can combine youthfulness with strong performances. If we don’t get results, the same people who ask for rejuvenation will criticize us for not winning. So, we remain focused on our work and welcome constructive criticism, which helps us improve. Some of our critics are our own advisors.”

An Offensive Football Philosophy

Ghalenoei reaffirmed his commitment to an aggressive, offensive style of play. “Systems don’t win matches; players do. My approach is to play attacking football. My teams have a strong scoring record, and we will maintain this style, even if it costs us a result tomorrow. I can’t change my philosophy because it’s what the fans want to see. I’m here to serve the national team, and the players understand that we have to play a dynamic, spectator-friendly game.”

He also spoke highly of Mehdi Taremi, stating, “We’ve given Taremi the freedom to move across the field, supported by another striker. The players know exactly what’s expected of them.”

He also spoke about the leadership role that experienced players like Taremi play on the field, describing them as the “arm of the coaching staff” who help manage the team during matches. “We don’t expect anything extraordinary from Taremi. We just want him to be himself.”

Reflecting on Challenges

Ghalenoei touched on the challenges faced by the national team, including the strength of teams from the CAFFA region and the high expectations of Iranian fans. “If the players don’t give their best, I will hold them accountable. We’re here to bring joy to the people.”

He recalled a past experience to illustrate the dedication he expects from his players: “I remember when Ali Daei got injured during a match against Bahrain. I was the first person by his side, and he played 70 minutes with that injury. That’s the level of commitment I expect.”

Venue and Federation Challenges

Regarding the choice of venues, Ghalenoei admitted that some of the options for hosting matches were less than ideal, while there were better options “We could have played in better stadiums, but we had to make do with what was available from the people who welcomed Team Melli.”

Despite the difficulties faced, including the fact that the coaching staff have not been paid for months, Ghalenoei remained optimistic. “Our priority is the people. When they’re facing hardships, it’s not right for us to worry about our own financial issues. The Federation and management are doing their best, and so are we. The people’s happiness is what truly matters.”