Tag: FIFA World Cup Russia 2018

Iran to meet Iraq in Doha for the World Cup qualifiers.

The city of Doha will host the Iraq-Iran match at Al-Wakrah Stadium for the FIFA  World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifier.

According to sources quoting Iraqi Sports, the Iraqi national football team will host Iran in its second match in the World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday (September 7th). Iraq has chosen Qatar as the host of its home games due to its hosting problems. Al-Wakrah Stadium has been selected as the host of Iraq’s match with Iran, and thus the game will be held in this stadium.

Iraqi FA has unsuccessfully appealed against FIFA’s decision that the security situation in Iraq is unsafe and hence the Iraq Team has to nominate other venues outside of Iraq to play the home matches.

 

Amir Abedzadeh joins SD Ponferradina

Iranian international goalkeeper Amir Abedzadeh (Tehran, Iran, 1993) joined the Spanish second division club s SD Ponferradina. The new Blue and White goalkeeper transferred from the Primeira Liga de Portugal club CS Marítimo, with whom he has been keeping goal. 

Abedzadeh began his professional career in Orange County SC in the United States. After that experience, in 2012 he joined Persepolis FC, one of the main clubs in his country. After two campaigns, he experienced a new stage in Iran in the ranks of Rah Ahan FC.

In 2016 he began a long cycle in Portuguese football, which he arrived at to join FC Barreirense. After a campaign in this club, CS Marítimo de Funchal opened the doors to him of the highest category in Portugal. His prominence was growing and in the last two seasons, he has played as a regular starter.

In addition to his club experience, he is also a full international with Iran and was part of his country’s squad for the 2018 World Cup.

Queiroz applauds Mehdi Mehdi Taremi

Everyone remembers the peculiar draw in the Portugal-Iran match last year In FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 and certainly, no one forgets the Portuguese National Team’s apprehension in the final moments of the game.

Iran’s equalizer came late on in the match and that result secured Portugal qualification t the next round however it also kept Iran’s hopes alive for qualification too.  In the last play of the game, the shadow of Portugal elimination must have stopped the heartbeat of the Portuguese nation when one Mehdi Taremi rose high above all Portuguese defenders to meet a cross which he powerfully headed towards Portugal goal from close range.

Taremi’s header missed the target by inches.

If the Iranian striker would have scored, it would be Iran and not Portugal who would have qualified for the next round of the World Cup.

It was the first time Portugal had ever heard of Mehdi Taremi, but a year and two months after that chilling moment the same striker came to Portugal and scored a hat trick for his club Rio Ave in 42 minutes against Aves and left the country with the great passion for football astounded.  The Iranian scored three goals in his home debut and after only three matches in Portugal, without having had any previous experience in the European Leagues.

One remarkable achievement by all standards, therefore, but far from surprising Carlos Queiroz. “Mehdi Taremi is a great player with the potential to win in Europe. For 4, 5 years, he was a starter in the Iran national team,” the current Colombia coach told BOLA. Queiroz coached Iran from 2011 to 2018 leading the Persian to two consecutive FIFA World Cups 2014 and 2018. Queiroz introduced Taremi to Team Melli of Iran.

Carlos Queiroz has no doubt that Rio Ave made the right choice in securing the services of the Iranian striker. “I hope he succeeds, he deserves everything, he is a great player and fantastic person. I never had doubts that he was an excellent player. I can only be proud of this moment and thankful for all he has done for me. He and other players called me Papa and that made me feel awkward but it is something I cannot ignore and always cherish ” Carlos Queiroz said with emotion.

Ali Kaffashian investigated by FFIRI Ethics Committee

The former President of FFIRI and the AFC Vice-President was summoned by the Football Federation Ethics Committee.

According to ISNA, the issue of broadcasting rights was refered to to the Ethics Committee after the discovery of some irregularities. This will be the second time that the proceeding is opened in regards to Team Melli’s matches in the preliminary qualifying round of the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 against Guam, Turkmenistan, India and Oman in which, the former President of the Football Federation and current vice president has been accountable.

While the TV broadcast rights company MP & SILVA, as a football federation contractor, claims that they have paid $ 79,000  (totaling $ 316,000) to the football federation FFIRI for each of these games, documents of the federation does not reflect this fact and no record exists of the payment!

Accordingly, Ali Kaffashian, the head of the Football Federation’s at the time was ordered by the Ethics Committee, to submit these records to the committee.

Blatter & Kaffashian

 In his first appearance at the Ethics Committee, Kaffashian promised to submit the documents, but despite the passage of more than five months from that first hearing, he had not presented any documents yet, so the Ethics Committee ordered him to appear again before the committee on Wednesday to present the documents.

Ali Kaffashian (63 years) was the President of FFIRI for two terms from 1st March 2008 to 7th May 2016. He was succeeded by Mehdi Taj the incumbent President.