Tag: Jesús Candelas

New head coach for Futsal team

The football federation has announced the appointment of Mohammad Nazim-Al Sharia'a as the head coach of Futsal Team Melli replacing the Spanish Jesus Candelas. Despite his typical Arabic sounding name, Nazim-Al Sharia'a is very much an Iranian who assisted the former Team Melli Futsal coach. After the Spanish refused to work with the federation due to late payment of wages and other problems, the federation created a real mess out of it. Knee jerk appointments, very much a trade mark of this federation , resulted in the announcement of Vahid Shamsaei as head coach of Team Melli but no one seemed to have informed him! Following much drama and turn of events , Shamsaei eventually turned down the job as FFIRI did not entertain Shamsaei's  many demands. A head hunting exercise began to recruit a quality foreign coach , but with the reputation of FFIRI already in the mud as bad employer and late payers, there were no foreign takers and hence the federation had to appoint someone within.2 Nazim-Al Sharia'a has worked closely with all the Team Melli futsal players and hence he has the upper hand in the job. Beside that , there isn't much achievement by this coach to report.

Vahid Shamsaei appointed as coach of Iran's Futsal Team.

In an unforeseen move, the FFIRI has appointed Vahid Shamsaei as the acting head coach of Iran’s futsal team. Shamsaei, a legendary futsal player in his own right is currently the head coach of league champion side, Tasisat Daryaei FSC.  In a statement carried by the official FFIRI website, the head of the futsal committee Seyed Reza Efitkhari announced “We have thoroughly discussed the current situation in the aftermath of Jesus Candelas resignation from his post. To minimize the impact and for the sake of continuity, we have decided that the best option is to appoint Vahid Shamsaei as caretaker head coach until such time when a final appointment can be reached.” The move seems to be a hasty one brought by the circumstances and shortage of time as Iran futsal team has a busy schedule ahead and involved in several competitions which require prompt action to resolve the coaching responsibilities and appointments. Shamsaei thanks God What seems to be quite odd, however, is the decision by the FFIRI Futsal committee to nominate Shamsaei’s team as the representative of Iran!  This move was most probably demanded by Shamsaei himself as a pre-condition for accepting the job on temporary basis. Shamsaei is free to choose other players from other teams to supplement his own. Tasisat team which will be labeled as Iran’s Team Melli futsal team. Shamsei’s first assignment is to take the team to Portugal on a tour where two games are arranged against the Portuguese national side. Vahid Shamsaei (39 years) is officially the world’s top futsal goal scorer with 82 goals. He started his coaching career while still playing with Dabir Tabriz. In 2014 he transferred to Tasisat Daryaei and won them the title on his first attempt. The 8 times Asian Cup winner had a difficult relation with FFIRI in past few years. Futsal in general is still going through some rough times, with variety of problems. Managerial disputes, league disruption, crowds’ disturbances, claims of corruption and administration problems have marred the progress of futsal in Iran. Iran is hosting the AFC Futsal Club Championship in summer 2015 (30July-07th August) Iran has won the Asian title a record 10 times but lost the last AFC Asian Championship to Japan on Penalty kicks last year).  The other nations that won the tire is Japan on 3 occasions.

Candelas resigns his post as head coach of Iran's Futsal team.

Jesus Candelas , the Spanish Head Coach of Iran's Futsal team has submitted his resignation to FFIRI , according to Abbas Torabian. The coach has been away since his winter holiday holidays refusing to return until he is paid his back wages. FFIRI , has promised Candelas that he will be paid only on return back to his job. FFIRI has been procrastinating on regular payment citing difficulties in liquidity at the federation. Candelas was less than sympathetic to such plight and has warned the federation that such situation is becoming intolerable for him. Finally , Candelas had enough and submitted his resignation by email. The Spanish coach has also reminded FFIRI that unless his financial claims are settled, he will seek legal action. Torabian who is the head of Futsal development committee, said that the federation is actively looking for a replacement coach and refused to rule out a domestic Iranian coach.” If there is a suitable domestic coach, then we will definitely take it seriously. The coach of our Futsal team does not have to be a foreigner” Torabian added.    

Candelas future with Futsal team is uncertain.

Despite the upcoming heavy schedule of Iran’s futsal team, the head coach Jesus Candelas is nowhere to be seen.  Abbas Torabian, the head of the Futsal committee responded to the questio0ns about the Spanish coach whereabouts by reporters. “I have made contact with him. He is outside of Iran and asked him why is he not back. Candelas complained about the non-payment of his wages which is contract violation. We have promised him that he will be paid sooner or later (!!!) and asked him to return to his job.” Torabian said that the future of Candelas will be discussed in a meeting tomorrow while adding that he was not assigned the task of replacing the beleaguered Spanish coach or finding a replacement by the head of the federation. Torabian claimed that he has given Candelas 3 days to respond else his contract will be null and void!  At least the FFIRI is quite consistent in dealing with their foreign employees be it football or futsal teams. Non or late payments of wages is among the major feats of this federation. However, the threat to continue working without being paid or else face dismissal seems to be a new trend in this farcical administration.  

Futsal : Iran defeats Slovenia.

Futsal Team Melli beat the host Slovenia 4-2 in its first of a series of matches in Slovenia. Hamid Javid, Hamid Ahmadi ,Farhad Tavakoli and Abolgahsim Arooji scored TEam Melli's goals against Slovenia. First half ended 2-0 for Iran. Iran will be playing against the same team ., Slovenia National futsal team tonight (Wednesday) Iran's futsal team is under preparations for the upcoming championships with the Spanish coach Jesús Candelas arranging a long term schedule to ensure optimum preparation.

Iran Futsal team arrives in Brazil for Grand Prix 2014

Iran Futsal team arrived on Saturday 8th November to compete in the International Futsal Grand Prix to be held in Brazil from Nov. 11 to 16.

The tournament will gather five other teams, including hosts and defending champions Brazil, Colombia, Vietnam, Guatemala and Costa Rica, who are divided into two groups.

Group A consists of Brazil, Colombia and Vietnam.

Group B is Iran , Guatemala and Costa Rica.

The tournament will kick off on Nov. 12, with Vietnam facing Brazil. In their last match in HCM City last November, Vietnam won, 3-2.

The six teams will compete for the championship of the ninth edition, with the top two in each group advancing to the semi-finals.

The Brazilian Futsal Confederation has organized the FIFA-recognized Grand Prix, one of the world's major tournaments for the sport, every year since 2005. Brazil won seven of the eight editions held so far, losing only once to Spain in 2010.

The Futsal Team is actively training under the supervision of Team Melli Futsal head coach Jesus Candelas. The Spaniard warned against taking the two Latin American teams lightly and dismissed any notion of the group being an easy passage. "Guatemala and Costa Rica are coming with full strength team and trying to prove a point. Both teams have strong line ups and it is not going to be a smooth sailing for us"

Team Melli arrived in Brazil on Saturday without several names including the recently injured Vahid Shafei

The names of the players sent to Brazil as follows:

Alireza Samimi, Sepehr Mohammadi, Alireza Vafaei, Hossein Tayebi, Ali Asghar Hassanzadeh, Farhad Tavakoli, Hamid Ahmadi, Ahmad Esmaeilpour, Mehdi Javid, Abolghasim Arooji, Behrouz Jafari, Mohammad Shajarian, Mohammad Reza Sang-Safidi  and Meysam  Khayyam.

Iran's first match will be on Wednesday 12th Nov. against Guatemala while on on Friday 14th they will play Costa Rica.

Confident Iran look to win 11th Asian title

afc.com

Published: 09 May 2014
Ho Chi Minh City: Iran have yet to reach their full potential at the AFC Futsal Championship according to coach Jesus Candelas ahead of Saturday’s final with Japan. Iran swept aside Uzbekistan in the semi-final with hat-tricks from Hossein Tayebi and Vahid Shafiei setting the 10-time champions on their way to a comfortable 10-0 victory. But despite Iran heading into Saturday’s meeting with the defending champions with a 100% record and boasting tournament leading scorer Tayebi, Candelas is remaining cautions ahead of his side’s 11th appearance in the final of the AFC Futsal Championship, “I think that we have prepared ourselves for tomorrow,” said Candelas. “Our preparation for this match has been in the way we have played during this tournament. We have not been at our best, but we are trying to be the best. “At this point we cannot put any limitations on ourselves and tomorrow is the opportunity to ask for the players to give their all." Iran eased their way into the tournament with a comfortable 5-1 victory over Indonesia, which saw Farhad Tavakoli score a brace to set the 10-time champions on their way. They followed that up with an impressive 12-0 victory over China before Iran claimed top spot in Group B with an 8-1 victory over Australia. Iran met tournament hosts Vietnam in the quarter-finals and came out 15-4 winners with Tayebi, Asghar Hassanzadeh and Mohammad Shajari all netting a hat-trick before Thursday’s equally impressive win over Uzbekistan secured their place in the final. "I was expecting to play Japan in the semi-finals, but because they lost in the group they changed the plan and we had to play in the semi-finals with Uzbekistan,” said Candelas, who has no injury worries ahead of the final. “In matches like this there are usually many goals and you are always under pressure, so it depends on the players and the match. “There are two factors that will determine the result; one is the goalkeepers and two is accurate shooting to define the result."

This team can improve further: Candelas

Published: 08 May 2014
Ho Chi Minh City: Coach Jesus Candelas knows Iran must still improve further as the 10-time champions prepare for a semi-final with Uzbekistan at the AFC Futsal Championship despite Wednesday’s resounding 15-4 victory over tournament hosts Vietnam. Hossein Tayebi, Asghar Hassanzadeh and Mohammad Shajari each scored hat-tricks against Vietnam at Phu Tho Stadium. But despite Iran head into Thursday’s meeting with Uzbekistan, who beat Lebanon 6-2 to secure their place in the semi-finals, with a 100% record as they bid to win their 11th AFC Futsal Championship title, Candelas is demanding more from his side. “I think in the game with Vietnam there was a lot of direct play and direct play has its consequences and each game has its own style," said Candelas. “What has happened is that Iran were attacking too much, but we are trying to improve futsal. I love futsal and the aim of futsal is to score goals. “We are now preparing for the semi-final, but now we have to think little by little. “Iran were not waiting to see what was going on in other game out of respect to the other teams; we will concentrate on our game and what we must do to win. “Iran is not feeling that it is the best, but it is trying to do its best. They are very different things." It was a humbling experience for tournament hosts Vietnam as they were out-classed in their first-ever AFC Futsal Championship quarter-final despite Pham Thanh Dat and Ly Khanh Hung adding to a brace from Phung Trong Luan. "The score reflects the game. I don’t want to say excuses; Iran played a very good game and are a very good team,” said Vietnam coach Bruno Garcia. “At the moment we know where the top is and the way to improve and arrive more near the top. “This is a young team and they can go a long way and improve in the future and this game is very good for them to see where the top is."

AFC Futsal C'ship (QF): Vietnam vs Iran Preview

Published: 06 May 2014

Ho Chi Minh City: Coach Bruno Garcia believes Vietnam must play a perfect game if they are to beat 10-time winners Iran in their AFC Futsal Championship quarter-final on Wednesday.

After suffering an opening defeat to Iraq, the hosts turned their fortunes around by beating Tajikistan 10-4 and Kuwait 2-1 to secure a first-ever appearance in the knockout stage.

But after a mistake from goalkeeper Dang Phuoc Anh allowed Abdulrahman Al Mosabehi to score for Kuwait with five seconds remaining on Sunday, Vietnam slipped down to second place in Group A on goal difference to set-up a difficult quarter-final at Phu Tho Stadium.

“I am very happy to be playing in the quarter-finals for the first time in our history, and for us it is like a final,” said Spanish-born coach Garcia, who had only been with the national side for two months prior to the tournament.

“My group have gained confidence game-by-game and we will try to prepare and rest for this game as we know the difficulty of the task.

“The opponents are a strong team, but all eight teams who qualify for the quarter-finals are very strong and we need to play the perfect game to win.

“In sport you have to think you always have a chance, or if you don’t, you might as well go home.”

Iran, who were forced to settle for a third place finish two years ago in the United Arab Emirates, are the only team left in the tournament with a 100% record.

Jesus Candelas’ side booked their place in the last eight with an 8-1 victory over Australia having earlier recorded wins over Indonesia and China, with Iran having scored 25 goals and conceded just two in their three games in Group B.

“From now on all the matches are finals for me," said Iran coach Candelas.

“I said before the tournament began that Vietnam had the capacity to be in the final two, and this is still the case.

“We want to get better through the tournament, but we are not feeling that we are at our best yet."

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Hosts Vietnam can hardly beat Iran in their quarterfinal match on Wednesday at the 2014 Asian Futsal Championship, Spanish coach Jesus Candelas of the Iranian team told Tuoi Tre newspaper during an interview on Monday.

What is your assessment of the strengths of the Vietnamese team?

Coach Jesus Candelas: I think Vietnam can hardly defeat Iran because of a big gap in the quality between the two teams. However, the chance to win the game still depends on the performance of Vietnam.

The hosts have wonderful fans. I saw how they cheerfully supported their home team in Vietnam’s match with Kuwait on Sunday. It is an advantage for Vietnam to face us.

In their 1-2 loss to Iraq and 2-1 win over Kuwait last week, Vietnam staged a better performance in group coordination, speed, and flexibility. Also, the Vietnamese displayed good defense in the Kuwait match by quickly filling in the gap after losing control of the ball.

I am impressed by two Vietnamese players: Phung Trong Luan (wearing the number 7 jersey) and Ton That Phi (wearing the number 14 jersey). They can make fast attacks along the wings.

Which team will be able to challenge Iran at this tournament?

I think highly of Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Thailand beat Iran in the semifinal round of the 2012 Asian Futsal Championship.

What would be your advice for Vietnam when they target a spot in Asia’s top four and a place in the FIFA Futsal World Cup in the coming time?

The Vietnamese team has made progress. You have qualified coaches Bruno Garcia and Antonio ‘Zego’ Jesus, who are all my friends.

I think Vietnam should focus on organizing the country’s national futsal league to have more good players and on holding international friendly tournaments for players to train and gain experience.

What is the biggest difference in futsal between Spain and Asia?

It is the players’ ability to judge and process situations. Asian players are fast in dribbling the ball but not as fast as South American and Spanish players in judging and processing specific circumstances.

Futsal is a game of speed so the judging and processing capability is very important. That’s why South American futsal is leading the world.

Iran's Futsal starts Asian campaign with a convincing win.

Futsal Team Melli started its campaign to regain the Asian title by defeating Indonesia 5-1. The match played in Ho ch Minh city was in group B of the AFC Futsal Championship Vietnam 2014. Team Melli started the match controlling the game as expected , but lack of concentration , brilliant goalkeeping by the Indonesian keeper, and a few wild shots, some from impossible angles, kept the Iranians at bay for initial part of the first half. While the match was progressing , Indonesian players grew in confidence and started matching Iran on attacks , although none of their players really threatened Alireza Samimi in goal. Iran finally opened the scoring which was long due on minutes 8 when Hossein Tayebi beautifully scored with a half turn eventually beating the brilliant Indonesian keeper. Indonesia countered a minute later and created its most scoring chance  but the ball was cleared on the goal line by Iranian defense. From then on Indonesia grew in confidence as the match worn on , looked more organized and adventured forward more often , leaving their defenses exposed. on  minute 15 Taheri misses an open goal , followed by Hassanzadeh who missed a sitter while Candelas was getting frustrated by now with the wasted opportunities by his players. However , a minute later on 17th Farhad Tavakoli put Candleas mind at ease when he scored the 2nd from a nice long diagonal pass.

on 18rh minute Alireza Vafaei gets injured and as soon as the play resumes Tavakoli scored his second and Iran's 3rd with some nice giggling work.

A minute late Hassanzadeh smashes in the roof of the net after a swift counter attack to make it 4-0 Iran could have added another  in the remaining minute but the half ended 4-0 for Team Melli. The second half started similar to the first with Iran having much of the play and creating the chances while wasting them. And the inevitable happened when Indonesia scores it 1st goal on the 10th minute of the 2nd half.

Shafei scored Iran's 5th when he was released to become one on one against the fast advancing Indonesian keeper. Shafei dribbled with ease to score in the open goal.

Iran first match ended with a convincing 5-1 win. Iran's next match will be against China on Friday at 16:00 Tehran time.