Tag: Jordan

Iran granted hosting World Cup qualifiers matches.

Team Melli will host its home matches in the third qualifying round of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 in Tehran.

According to the FIFA website, the venue for Iran’s first match against Syria is Azadi Stadium. FIFA has chosen Azadi to put an end to the speculations over the past few days and weeks about the hosting being taken away from Iran. Thus, Team Melli will play all five home matches in Tehran if the matches are played are to be played on Home and Away format rather than a round-robin tournament in a single country.

FIFA prefers home and away because it has always been played in this format since the inception of the tournament. There have been the odd times that teams played in a single venue, especially in Aisa due to logistics, but Home and Away is the standard that FIFA likes to adhere to.

The scenario of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is different, which has always been to deprive Iran of hosting its matches. These politically motivated moves are the results of Gulf Arab countries lead by Saudi Arabia, both to uphold its hostility towards Iran and also to gain an unfair advantage on the pitch!

In the second qualifying round of the World Cup, Bahrain was chosen as a host.  FIFA also agreed to approve Jordan to host Syrian national matches, but the venue for the Iraq Games has not yet been determined yet and it is not clear in which country Iraq will host its opponent in the qualifiers including the Iranian national team.

This arrangement could be nullified if FIFA or the governments of the participating teams apply strict entry conditions as a result of COVID19.

FIFA warns against crowd misbehaviour.

In what is expected to be a politically inspired encounter by the Iraqi side, FIFA has issued a warning against any Iraqi fans expression of political opinions by any means.

The International Football governing body warning to the Iraqi fans after before Iraq’s sensitive it had mandated a venue change and a move out of Iraq because of protests and insecurity currently prevailing in Iraq, FIFA warning to the Iraqi side included the players, as well as several, have been reported taking active participation in the protests or by the means of social media.. Admission of banners and flags (except for Iraq’s flag) or banners expressing a political view or even sympathy to a party or persons are strictly forbidden, an Iraqi Sport website wrote.

It is also rumoured that the Iraqi team is awaiting clearance from FIFA to agree to a one minute silence in respect to over 280 people who lost their lives in Iraq recently in the clashes between demonstrators and security forces. FIFA also refused Iraqi players wearing a black armband. The Jordanians are taking no chances as they have prepared around 3,350 security personnel and anti-riot brigades to secure the match on Thursday.

Iran vs Iraq, a crucial match for Team Melli.

After climbing to Group C’s summit on Matchday Four, Iraq are set to host Team Melli in a game that looks set to provide yet another major test for both the foreign coaches. Iraq’s  Srečko Katanec’s and Iran’s Marc Wilmots.

Both the coaches had differing issues to deal with it be it with their federation or the players. Katanec time with Iraq has been uneasy, to say the least. There was a rumour of a half-hearted revolt in the squad with some players that Katanec did not pick for these qualifiers going on the social media and bad-mouthing the Slovenian coach.

However, with a history of managing three national teams (UAE, Slovenia and Iraq), Katanec is using his vast experience to deal with the difficult situation including the clause in the contract that will see him being terminated if he does not qualify from this group.

Marc Wilmots is quite safe and solid for Team Melli except for the small matter of paying his wages. The Iranian Federation, like before, procrastinate in paying the Team Melli coaches. There is always one or more justification and they wait until the last minute before paying the coach. This delay, however, meant that Wilmots was not willing to work with the squad until the finances were settled. The Belgian had very few training session with the squad (2 sessions before departure to Amman). His absence from Iran meant that the selection of players was trusted to his assistants although Wilmots have seen enough good performances by the two Belgian based players (Rezaei and Gholizadeh) to include them in the squad.

IRAQ vs IR IRAN

The two teams know each other quite well. They have met 27 times since their first encounter in Amjadieh Stadium in June 1962.  Iran has a clear edge in the head to head meeting with 16 wins, 7 draws and 4 defeats. 38 goals were scored by Iranians while Iraq has managed 19.

History aside, this meeting, although not a must-win for Team Melli, a defeat will make the task of the qualification so much difficult with Iraq having a 4 points advantage. Riding high following their last month’s 4-0 win over Cambodia, Iraq will be eager to add yet more momentum to their campaign

Marc Wilmots is sure to be acutely aware that his side can ill-afford a repeat of their Matchday Four defeat to Bahrain if they are to maintain their push to progress. That disappointing loss in Manama has left the Iranians – who after their trip to Jordan will not be in Asian Qualifiers action again until next March – occupying third place and needing to rebound in style so as to avoid slipping further off the pace.

The Loss in Manama exposed some tactical vulnerability in Wilmot’s line up and those shortfalls need to be addressed.

Iraq’s success came after an opening day draw with Bahrain and a 2-0 defeat of Hong Kong at home, results that have left the 2007 AFC Asian Cup champions well placed to progress from what is proving to be a closely contested Group C.

The regional rivals last met during the group stage of this year’s AFC Asian Cup where they drew 0-0, and while maintaining their current unbeaten record is sure to be at the forefront of Iraqi minds, head coach Katanec will be viewing Thursday’s fixture as an ideal opportunity to put yet further distance between his table-topping team and the chasing pack.

IRAQ vs IR IRAN
Venue: Amman International Stadium, Amman, Jordan
Kick-off: 17:00 (UTC +3)

Nervous Iraqi federation fear spell over of politics and unrest in the match.

On Thursday, Iraq will be hosting Iran in Amman after FIFA ordered the match to be played outside the country due to security concerns.

However, the match in the Qualifying Round 4 of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and the AFC Asian Cup in Amman, is far from a being a safe and secure event as predicted by the Iraqi officials.  The match has become politically sensitive because of the riots and protests in Iraq,  in addition to the traditional rivalry between the national teams of the two countries. Officials of the Iraqi Football Federation are seeking to prevent any political and racist issues from affecting the match to avoid further sanctions by FIFA.

Fresh clashes between Iraqi security forces and anti-government protesters broke out on Friday in Iraq killing at least three people, despite a call for calm by the country’s top Shi’ite cleric, as authorities grapple with the nation’s biggest crisis in years. More than 280 people have been killed since the protests started over what looks on the surface as protests against corruptions and unemployment but instigated and induced by foreign and Arab secret services to destabilize the country.

According to the Iraqi al-Ghad Press website, a trilateral meeting will be held today with officials from the Iraqi Football Federation, the Jordanian Federation and the Iraqi Embassy in Amman to assess the security conditions of the match as well as Iraq’s next match hosting Bahrain in the same qualifiers. In addition to monitoring the crowd entering the stadium and full security implementation like body searches, the meeting will examine Iraqi officials calls on social media networks for support by its people, including wearing masks during the match.  Banners that have political or racial slurs against one another will be prevented from entering into the stadium. All efforts to de-politicize the match have been taken.

“The Iraqi federation and the embassy in Jordan are trying very hard not to allow political slogans, dissent and sectarian chants to be demonstrated in the arena because FIFA has always been intolerant to politics and racism and anything that causes spreads and promotes hate,” the Al-Ghad website continued. The Iraqi Federation and its embassy are also trying to keep politics away from the stadium in fear of possible consequences on the Jordanian people and the sensitivity of Jordan itself which saw recent riots of its own.

“There has been a lot of effort over the past three days to ensure the fans to be in the stadium just to support the Iraqi team.” it added

Amman is the new venue for Iraq vs Iran match.

Jordan will officially host FIFA World Cup 2022 Qualifying match between Iraq and Iran according to Iraq’s Federation President Abdul Khaleq Massoud. The Jordanian capital will also host Iraq’s next match in the competition vs Bahrain.

According to FIFA ruling, the Iraqi national team is not allowed to host the games in Basra against Iran and Bahrain due to security concerns and demanded the Iraqi federation select another country. “We have formally requested the Jordanian Football Federation (JFA) to hold two games due to proximity , public support and no visas requirement between us,” Abdul Khaleq Massoud said in an interview with Germany’s official news agency. We will be welcomed by Iraqis everywhere. “

FIFA sent a letter Wednesday asking the Iraqi League to offer a third ground for both of the games scheduled for Iran and Bahrain due to the unstable situation in Iraq. Iraq was insisting on holding the two matches as scheduled on November 14 and 19 in Basra. The city already hosted the match against Hong Kong last October.

Iraq is leading Group C with seven points from three games so far, Bahrain is second, and Iran is third with six points. The first and second teams of each group advance to the next stage of Qatar’s 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

Omid team draws against Jordan U-23

Iran’s Omid Team (U-23) played a friendly match against Jordan U-23 team today (Tuesday) at the Medina Al-Riaziya Stadium in Irbid City, Jordan. The match ended in a 1 – 1 draw.

The home team started offensively and in the seventh minute, the Jordanian player Hadi Al-Hurani managed to open the scoring for the host. Following this early goal, Zlatko Kranjcar players took control of the ball and the field  looking for a quick response and a change the result. Iran’s offensive midfielder Mehdi Qaedi was blatantly brought down by his opponents in the box , but Jordanian referee Omar al-Ma’ani did not believe in a penalty.

During the match, Mehdi Mahdi Khani and Vahid Namdari both hit the woodwork but none of those shots ended in a goal.  Eventually, Namdari the teams striker struck  in the 37″ minutes, wagering, and turned the ball from the corner sent into the box and headed the ball into the corner of the opponent scoring the equalizer.

In the second half, the  Omid team retained  its offensive game plan. In the 48th minute,  Namdari was in a one-to-one situation with the opponent’s goalkeeper,  and could have easily scored his and the team 2nd goal. The Jordanian goalkeeper gallantly held his position and foiled Namdari.

 The two teams’ efforts ultimately failed to score any further goals. Iran’s Omid team in their fourth game in preparation for the Olympics qualifiers ended in a stalemate.

Iran Omid Team Line up:

 Shahab Adeli, Omid Noroufkan, Aref Aghasi (Hossein Saki 46′), Mohammad Moslemipour, Alireza Artah (Omid Dareh 75′), Abolfazl Razzaghpour (Hamid Reza Taherkhani 75), Mohammad Khodabandehlo, Mehdi Mehdi Khani, Mehdi Ghaedi (Abolfazl Jalali 67′), Vahid Namdari (Younis Delphi 62) and Amir Roustahi (Mohammad Reza Azadi 65)

Before the match against Jordan, the Iranian team played 3 friendly matches  , once against Oman and twice against Syria,  in which Omid Team had won all three matches. The qualifying stage games for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics will be held in Iran the first half of April, 2009. The U-23 team will play in the third group against Iraq, Yemen and Turkmenistan.

Iran and Qatar to meet in a friendly

Team Melli will probably be playing its last preparation match against Qatar on the last day of the year to complete its schedule before flying to the UAE to compete in the AFC Asian Cup 2019.

The Qatar Football Association has announced the program for its national team which includes four matches against Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Algeria and Iran.

Team Melli will be playing against Trinidad and Venezuela before meeting Qatar.

There was no confirmation from FFIRI on this match., but that is pretty much expected.

Easy win for Iran Futsal team against Jordan.

Tashkent: Futsal Team Melli started the campaign to regain its lost Asian title with an easy 6-0 win against Jordan in Tashkent this evening.

AliAsghar HassanZadeh (2) , Mahdi Javid (2) , Hossein Tayyebi , and Ghodrat Bahdori scored Iran’s goals against Jordan in the match that was played in the University Arena in the Uzbek Capital city. The first half ended 2-0 , goals scored by Hassanzadeh and Tayyebi.

It was plain sailing for Iran , although the bus parking technique that the Jordanian coach deployed to minimize the damage, gave Iran a few challenges in scoring. It did not yield much result for Jordan, though. Team Melli was comfortably controlling the majority of the possession and on the rare occasions they lost the ball, the Jordanians failed to capitalize. Jordan players hardly had more than a few seconds of ball possession each time creating no threat whatsoever for Sepehr Mohammadi in Iran’s goal.

Khalid , the Jordanian keeper was the hero of the first half for Jordan with his countless saves from all angles.

In the second half, it was much the same as the first with Jordan content on defending and Iran playing a slow passing game resembling a practise session. All players were used in the match by Iran Coach Nazim Ul Shariea.

When Iran increased the pace, the Jordanians did not have the solution and their defenses simply fell apart and in the process receiving 4 further goals in the second half.  Despite the 6-0 drubbing , Khalid was again the savior for Jordan as he single handedly managed to keep the score relatively respectable for Jordan . It could have easily been double figures score line.

Iran will play China , who were beaten 6-1 by Iraq in the earlier match , before finishing with what would be top of the table match against Iraq on Sunday.

Teams
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
PTS
IRAN 1 1 0 0 6 0 6 3
IRAQ 1 1 0 0 6 1 5 3
CHINA P.R. 1 0 0 1 1 6 -5 0
JORDAN 1 0 0 1 0 6 -6 0
 
Group B Results
IRAQ  6 – 1 PR CHINA
IRAN 6 – 0  JORDAN

Iran Futsal looking for lost glory.

Tashkent: Coach Mohammad Nazemosharie is adamant Iran have their sights set on winning an 11th AFC Futsal Championship in Uzbekistan this month ahead of their Group B opener against Jordan on Wednesday.

Iran are comfortably the most successful side in the history of the AFC Futsal Championship having won 10 of the first 11 editions, although they were forced to settle for a runners-up finish in Vietnam in the 2014 tournament after a penalty shootout defeat to Japan.

But ahead of the meeting with Jordan at Universal Stadium, Nazemosharie is confident his side will return to winning ways.

“Futsal is very strong in Iran and we’ve come here to put on a good show,” said Nazemosharie.

“We respect all the teams in our group but we are aiming to be champions and we are a very powerful side.”

Jordan coach Salah Abu Jafer, though, is looking for a strong start for the debutants with an eye on the second round and will look to the likes of key player Samer Samih, who plays professionally in Qatar.

“It’s Jordan’s first time to reach the finals and the whole country is proud of this achievement,” said Abu Jafer.

“We’ve prepared well with several camps and our training has been good so we come in high spirits and with the aim of qualifying to the second stage.”

Also at Universal Stadium on Wednesday, Iraq will take on China with coach Haitham Abbas’ squad based on powerhouse club side, Naft Al Wasat.

No fewer than 12 of Iraq’s final 14 man selection are from the Najaf-based outfit who reached the semi-finals of last year’s AFC Futsal Club Championship.

“We don’t have any professional players in our squad unlike Iran but what we do have is a strong unity borne from the Naft Al Wasat side which is like a defacto national team,” said Abbas.

“Originally, I was looking at other players and we tried many different combinations but I kept coming back to the fact that this club had the best players – I’ve even called two goalkeepers from the same team.”

Opponents China also featured in the 2014 edition in Vietnam, although they failed to reach the knockout stage after losing to Iran, Australia and Indonesia but coach Shan Zhiping is hopeful of an improved performance.

“We’re very happy to be here in Uzbekistan and we’ve had a good preparation with the team being in camp since January 18,” said Shan.

“We enter with the same hopes and expectations as every other nation and that’s firstly to reach the knockout stage and ultimately to claim one of the five spots for this year’s World Cup.”

Photo: AFC

Tribute to Fereshteh Karimi , the star of Iranian woman Futsal.

Fereshteh Karimi , the girl from Nazi Abad of Tehran is a unique sample of Iranian woman who have excelled under the most awkward of conditions. Born on 6 Feb 1989 , Karimi has just lifted the Inaugral AFC Women’s Futsal Championship 2015 and also picked up the tournament’s Most Valuable Player

Fereshteh Karimi attributed her accolade to the teamwork that Iran displayed while beating Japan in the competition’s final on Saturday. The 26-year-old scored six goals in the campaign but undoubtedly her most important was the one she notched in the final, a strike which proved enough to hand Forouzan Soleimani’s side the title.

[pullquote align=”right”]“I’m very happy that we have become champions and I’d like to dedicate this win to the whole of Iran back home.” [/pullquote]

“I and my teammates played from the depths of our hearts in this game and there was a great challenge from our opponents Japan, so this win is even the more meaningful for us.

“But this award and win are not just because of me, but it was the great team effort that the other players consistently showed that made it possible and I’m thankful for them also for this recognition.”

Fereshteh who plays for Persepolis has played 15 times for Team Melli Women futsal team scoring 9 goals in the process. No doubt that final goal against Japan in the final was her most valuable and memorable. She has been selected as one of the 11 best women futsal players by the famous futsalplanet website.

fereshtehHer undeniable skill has attracted interest from Polish and Russian futsal teams. Fereshteh had to turn down such offer for social reasons, the hijab being the Achilles heel of her possible career in Europe.
Speaking of Hijab, Fereshteh Karimi was playing football with Iran Women National team. She and her teammates were ready to play against Jordan in the 2014 Olympics games qualifiers. However, the team were denied from competing because hijab was deemed unacceptable. Fereshteh and her teammates were so shocked by this act of injustice , she broke down crying while the rest of the team followed. Their plight was so touching , the opponents, the Jordanian women , broke down joined the iranian girls crying.

Fereshteh need not worry much about her hijab anymore as FIFA has permitted the competition with the head covers and the road is open for her and her teammates to bring glory to Iran.