Tag: Moslem Oladghobad

Iran Futsal, the challange ahead.

Despite securing victories in their opening matches, Iran’s Futsal Team Melli revealed several points of concern in their performances at the 2026 AFC Futsal Asian Cup in Jakarta. While the results were positive, the team’s tactical execution and finishing lacked the sharpness expected of defending champions.

Defensively, the team has appeared uncharacteristically vulnerable, with gaps emerging that more formidable opponents—such as Thailand, Japan, and Uzbekistan—will be poised to exploit. Goalkeeper Bagher Mohammadi has often been the last line of salvation, repeatedly covering for errors made in front of him. In attack, a lack of composure and precision has been evident, with numerous attempts on goal missing the necessary accuracy and focus.

Iran’s match against Saudi Arabia highlighted these issues. The Saudis effectively contained Iran through aggressive pressing and disciplined man-to-man marking, forcing uncharacteristic mistakes. Coach Vahid Shamsaei must devise reliable solutions to counteract such high-pressure tactics, as every opponent from here on will present a sterner challenge. That begins with Afghanistan, Iran’s next opponent. The Afghan team arrives in splendid form, having scored ten goals while conceding only once in their first two matches. They combine individual skill with cohesive, reactive team play, posing a significant threat. If Iran does not urgently address its shortcomings, both tactical and psychological, this could become a historic occasion for Afghan futsal.

Compounding the tactical concerns is the team’s palpable lack of emotional intensity. The body language of several players has suggested disheartenment or disengagement, with celebrations muted even after scoring. This emotional vulnerability is something opponents will gladly exploit. While external factors—including the prevailing situation in Iran—undoubtedly weigh on the players, affecting their mental state, the coaching and administrative staff must find ways to bolster morale and focus. This psychological preparation is as critical as any tactical adjustment.

Individually, Salar Aghapour remains Iran’s standout performer. However, key players need to elevate their games. Captain Hossein Tayebi, wearing a protective face guard due to a nose injury, has struggled with his shooting accuracy. Ahmad Abbasi’s decision-making has at times seemed erratic, resulting in rushed shots that are often blocked. Even the typically brilliant dribbler Moslem Olaghabad has looked uncharacteristically subdued, losing several one-on-one duels.

From what has been observed across the tournament, this edition appears to be the most competitive in years, making Iran’s title defense a formidable challenge. The path ahead is daunting, but the hope remains that Team Melli can rise to the occasion, overcome its current struggles, and reaffirm its regional supremacy by reclaiming the trophy. The coming matches will be a true test of Character, skill and spirit.

Tough win for Iran futsal.

Jakarta: Iran survived a stern test to defeat Saudi Arabia 2-0 in their AFC Futsal Asian Cup Indonesia 2026™ Group D tie on Friday.

The defending champions had to withstand heavy pressure from Saudi Arabia throughout the match before two second half goals and Afghanistan’s 7-0 win against Malaysia in the later game, saw them advancing to the quarter-finals.

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Saudi Arabia took the game to Iran from the opening whistle with Bagher Mohammadi having to make multiple stops to deny efforts from Eihab Mohamed and Saleh Alqarni.

Despite being put under intense pressure, Iran forced a chance in the seventh minute when Saied Ahmad Abbasi was sent through on goal in a quick breakaway but saw his low shot kept out by Humood Aldahhan’s outstretched leg.

Rotating their players with regular frequency, Saudi Arabia were able to keep their intensity high throughout the first half, forcing Mohammadi to make another good save in the 10th minute after Moath Alasiri had broken through.

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As the first half edged towards its end, Iran started to find gaps with Aldahhan having to be at his best to make a double save, first from Behrooz Azimi then getting back on his feet to block out Salar Aghapour’s follow-up header.

Iran did find the net when Azimi fired home from Aghapour’s corner delivery but the goal was ruled out after Video Support review with the half-time buzzer having sounded before the ball went in.

Group D: Saudi Arabia v IR Iran

After the break, Mohammadi showed why he’s one of the best in the game, coming out of his goalmouth to block successive efforts from Abdullah Alaqeeli and Alqarni after Nawaf Aroan started the play with a run out of defence.

Saudi Arabia, however, spurned a great opportunity in the 25th minute after an interchange of passes between Alaqeeli and Alasiri took the Iranian keeper out of position but the former scuffed his shot wide with the goalmouth gaping.

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Against the run of play, Iran broke the deadlock in the 29th minute after Ahmad Abbasi’s strike had been turned away for a corner kick with Moslem Oladghobad’s delivery nodded in by Amirhossein Gholami.

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Saudi Arabia went for broke in their search for the equaliser but their efforts were in vain with Mohammadi securing the win for Iran with a stunning volley in the 35th minute from almost the full length of the court.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan jumped to the top of the table above Iran after a convincing 7-0 win against Malaysia. Iran’s final group match against Afghanistan will decide the leader of the group. Both teams have already qualified for the next stage regardless of the Sunday match.

#TeamMPGOALSGDPTS
1Afghanistan Afghanistan 210:0+106
2IranI Iran26:1+56
3Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia 20:5-50
4Malaysia Malaysia 21:11-100

Iran sink France to win group F

Salar Aghapour starred as IR Iran downed France to win Group F at the FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024.

Iran’s futsal team outclassed France to win Group F at the FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024™. Salar Aghapour was once again the hero for Team Melli, scoring twice to take his tally to the tournament to six. Iran will now play Morocco in a mouth-watering last-16 match-up. France, for their part, faces an easier-on-paper game against Thailand.

While missing several players due to illness and two due suspension, Iran was in full control of the game but their appetite for scoring was not evident. France, likewise was content with distributing the ball and waiting for a quick counterattack.

Salar Aghapour opened the scoring for Iran with Oladghobad and Rafieipour adding to the tally to make it 3-0, before Agahpour added a fourth to make it 4-0. Mamadou Toure scored France’s consolation goal for the match to end 4-1.

France lost to Portugal 4-1 in an earlier match and will be Team Melli’s next opponent in the round of 16 in Bukhara on 26th September. Winning that match, Iran will most probably meet Brazil in the quarter-finals.

France goals: Mamadou Toure (37) IR Iran goals: Salar Aghapour (25), Moslem Oladghobad (28), Alireza Rafieipour (30), Salar Aghapour (37) Player of the Match: Moslem Oladghobad (IR Iran)

Futsal Team Melli powers to 13th title

SUN, 28 APRIL, 2024

Bangkok: I Iran waltzed their way to a record-extending 13th title with a 4-1 win over Thailand in the AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ Thailand 2024 final on Sunday. 

Iran seized control from the start at the Bangkok Arena to deny Thailand a maiden title as the Central Asian side made up for losing to Japan in the decider of the 2022 edition.

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Iran head coach Vahid Shamsaei was glad his side had redeemed themselves from losing the 2022 final.

“I remember the day I lost the 2022 final against Japan. I had to apologize to everyone, especially to the Iranian fans. Today, I’m happy that they stayed patient with me and I want to dedicate this trophy to everyone back home, especially my late father, who did not see me win the trophy as a head coach,” said Shamsaei.

Thailand head coach Miguel Rodrigo felt his side could have done better.

“I’m very sad for the Thailand fans, they truly deserve another game. We played with our hearts and I will never forget this day, that we played in the final at Bangkok Arena. I’m very disappointed but at the same time, we lost to a superior team,” said Rodrigo.

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Iran got off to a fine start, taking the lead in the first minute off a set-piece situation when Salar Aghapour teed-up Mahdi Karimi, who finished into the bottom corner of the net from the top of the arc.

Thailand, despite being urged on by the partisan crowd, struggled to break through, with Krit Aransanyalak finding his advances on the right flank consistently halted by Iran’s solid defending.

Thailand keeper Arut Senbat was kept on his toes, having to block Karimi’s forced drive from the left flank, before seeing Alireza Rafiei Pour pull his effort wide from inside the box.

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The hosts had their first look on goal in the fourth minute when Alongkorn Janphon lost his marker at the centre before playing the ball square to the advancing Therdsak Charoenphong, who fired his effort over the bar.

A lapse in concentration saw Thailand concede again in the fifth minute when Mohammadreza Sangsefidi played the ball on for the overlapping Moslem Oladghobad on the right flank, who supplied a pinpoint cross for Saeid Ahmad Abbasi to score his eighth goal of the tournament. 

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Thailand refused to concede defeat, with Suphawut Thueanklang seeing his set-piece effort saved by Iran keeper Bagher Mohammadi, who then did well to force Panut Kittipanuwong’s shot wide in a one on one situation.

The onus was on Thailand to find their way back and they did so in spectacular fashion in the 25th minute when Jirawat Sornwichian exchanged passes with Muhammad Osamanmusa before darting through centre and chipping the ball over Mohammadi.

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A relentless Iran responded two minutes later off a set-piece situation when Sangsefidi lofted the perfect cross to an unmarked Ali Asghar Hassanzadeh to volley home to regain their two-goal advantage.

Thailand, desperate to reduce the deficit in the second half, opted for the power play, but the move proved costly in the 34th minute as Mohammadi gained possession in his area before lofting the ball over to score Iran’s fourth to confirm his nation’s 13th AFC Futsal Asian Cup title. 

Futsal Team Melli with a perfect record after defeating Kuwait.

Bangkok: Iran were at their best as they sailed 4-0 past Kuwait in their AFC Futsal Asian Cup Thailand™ 2024 Group D tie at the Hua Mark Indoor Arena on Monday.

The victory meant Iran topped the table with nine points with a quarter-final against Kyrgyz Republic next in their bid to win a 13th title.

Defeat for Kuwait meant elimination as debutants Afghanistan finished ahead of them on goal difference with both teams tied on four points. 

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Kuwait needed just a draw to reach the knockout stage and were the first to settle with Naser Alalban almost finding a way through on the right before Iran’s Mohammadhossein Derakhshani pulled off a fine tackle to clear the danger.

The momentum switched instantly in Iran’s favour as Kuwait keeper Fahad Alkhawari had to repel a series of shots, first a rocket of an effort from Moslem Oladghobad in the third minute, followed by attempts from Ali Asghar Hassanzadeh and Mohammadreza Sangsefidi.

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The goal finally arrived for Iran in the eighth minute when Ali Akrami showed his individual brilliance, dribbling past his marker down the right flank before scoring from a tight angle with the ball taking a deflection off Abdulrahman Altawail.

Kuwait almost equalised in the 15th minute when Alalban gained possession from Iran’s Oladghobad down the right flank, exchanging passes with Altawail before squandering his effort at the end.

Iran increased their tally in the 17th minute when Karimi squared the ball to Salar Aghapour, whose shot took a deflection off Kuwait’s Ahmad Alfarsi before sailing past Alkhawari.

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Kuwait were desperate to reduce the deficit but their full-court press was ineffective when Alalban lost the ball to Saeid Ahmad Abbasi, who struck cooly from the halfway line into an unattended net to put the score 3-0 going into the break.

Kuwait started the second half with the same intensity as the first half and threatened with Saleh Alfadhel testing Iran keeper Saeid Momeni from distance, while Altawail could only hit the side netting when he forced his effort from down the right flank in the 26th minute.

Oladghobad wins AFC Futsal Player of the Year 2023

Iran’s Moslem Oladghobad was confirmed as the AFC Futsal Player of the Year after guiding his nation to the Final of the AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ Kuwait 2022, where he was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

The 27-year-old player is currently playing in Spain with Palma in the Primera División de Futsal. He was a member of several major teams in Iran like Giti Pasand, Mes Sungun, and Alvand Crop before moving on to Spain.

In the annual AFC award ceremony for the best of players in several categories, Salem Al Dawsari of Saudi Arabia and Australian icon Samantha Kerr have clinched the prestigious AFC Player of the Year Award in the men’s and women’s categories respectively at the AFC Annual Awards Doha 2023 on Tuesday at the Qatar National Convention Centre’s Al Mayassa Theatre.

Mehdi Taremi was a candidate but fell short of the selection in the AFC Asian International Player of the Year: award which went to Bayern Munich and Korea Republic player, Kim Min-jae.

Iran also had a candidate for the AFC Asian Youth Player of the Year, who was Amin Hezbavi but the award went to the Japanese Kuryu Matsuki .

Iran crushes Saudi Arabia in Thailand’s Futsal Tournament

Iran’s Futsal national team started the NFDF Futsal Championship Pattaya Thailand 2023 with a crushing win against Saudi Arabia this evening.

lead by head coach  Vahid Shamsaei,  Iran defeated the Saudi team 11-0.

After losing the Asian Cup title to Japan, this tournament is the first opportunity to test new players, and in the first step, the players easily defeated the Saudi team, which was one of the surprises in the AFC Asian Cup in Kuwait. Saudi Arabia managed to defeat Japan in the championship. Iran scorers were Hossein Tayyebi and Hamzah Kodkhodaei (three goals each), Saeed Mambini, Saeed Ahmad Abbasi, Mojtabi Parsapour, Salar Aghapour, and Moslim Oladaghbad

The first half of this match ended 3-0 with goals by Hossein Tayibi, Hamzeh Kodkhodaei, and Saeed Membini. While it was expected that Saudi Arabia with its Spanish head coach would put more pressure on Iran in the second half to get back in the match, this did not materialize and the second 20 minutes of the game was completely one-sided in favor of Shamsaei’s men with Saudi Arabia players barely entering the penalty area of Iran’s team.

In the second half, Saudi Arabia’s goal was opened by Hossein Tayyebi (2 goals), Hamzah Kodkhodaei (2 goals), Saeed Ahmad Abbasi, Mojtaba Parsapour, Salar Aghapour, and Muslim Oladaghbad, for the match to end 11-0.  It was a devasting result for the Saudi team which is laying claims to be one f the best teams in Asia. Iran is in the second group of this tournament with Saudi Arabia and Egypt and will face Egypt in the second game at noon on Friday. Japan, Thailand, and Mozambique are present in the other group of this competition which will be held in Pattaya. Mehdi Taj and Ehsan Usoli, the president and spokesperson of the Football Federation, have traveled to Thailand to accompany the team.

Saeed Ahmad Abbasi lands in Spain to join Viña Albali Valdepeñas

Saeed Ahmad Abbasi, the Iran national futsal team player, finally left for Spain yesterday after three months of negotiations with  Viña Albali Valdepeñas club and signing a contract with this Spanish league team.

Ahmad Abbas, who left Tehran on Monday morning for Spain, finally arrived in Madrid after nearly 12 hours of flight. David Ramos, the head coach of the Wine Albali team, personally greeted and welcomed Ahmad Abbasi at the airport too. Saeed left the airport with his head coach and traveled from Madrid to Valdepeñas in Ramos’s car. The city to which the Vinalbali team belongs and the passionate fans of this club are famous in Spain.

استقبال ویژه از بازیکن ایران در اسپانیا و برگزاری مراسم معارفه
عکس یادگاری احمدعباسی و سرمربی آلبالی در اسپانیا

 

After a photo session and a short rest, the player participated in the training yesterday evening and was introduced to other players. Ahmad Abbasi continued to train with this team to prepare for Friday’s crucial game against Palma. The opposing team has Hossein Tayyebi and Moslim Oladaghbad, two of Ahmad Abbasi teammates in the Iranian national team. FS Viña Albali  club website wrote commented on Ahmad Abbasi’s presence in this team: “This Iranian player has started preparing to speed up his acclimatization and coordination and can help the team from the very first moment.”

Ahmad Abbasi expressed his excitement and joy on his arrival in Valdepeñas. In turn, they welcome him from Viña Albali and wish him the best of luck in this exciting phase, which starts on Monday.

استقبال ویژه از بازیکن ایران در اسپانیا و برگزاری مراسم معارفه
معارفه احمدعباسی در تمرین باشگاه اسپانیایی

Vahid Shamsaei apologizes for the defeat!

Iran’s national futsal team lost its title against fierce rival Japan in a thrilling match in Kuwait.

While Iran’s road to the final was quite smooth, scoring a plethora of goals against its opponent all the way to the finals, Japan had a difficult road and only managed to qualify from the group stages thanks to goal difference. Japan also had difficult matches against its rivals in the Quarter and Semifinals. However, in the final, Japan managed miraculously to beat Iran which had almost 70% possession, and bombarded the Japanese keeper who was the undisputed hero and the man of the game in the final match.

Iran’s head coach Vahid Shamsaei expressed his hope that his players will learn from this defeat at the press conference of this match. Shamsaei said: “I told my players that I am responsible for the defeat. They gave their best with maximum effort.” The head coach of Iran emphasized: “My players did not want to lose the trophy and were crying, but they have to accept the result. If they want to create a good future for themselves, they must understand failure.” Shamsaei continued: “We had a plan for our team, and if something goes wrong, the responsibility is on me and my colleagues. I wanted to present this win to the people of my country and I hope they will accept my apology.

About the sure performance of Iran’s Legionnaire OladGoghbad, Shamsaei said “he (OladGoghbad) was chosen as the best player of the Asian Championship: All my players were great, but he (OladGoghbad) was wonderful as always and like the rest of the players against Japan. Referring to the changes he made in his team, Iran’s head coach said: “After the loss, I don’t want to talk about the past. I have picked 10 new players to replace the 10 legends. In the very near future, these 10 new players will be legends of Iranian futsal. In the end, Shamsai said: “If I continue with the team, I will definitely work on all our weaknesses. I don’t want to make excuses or say it was a missed opportunity. Our program was not supposed to be for today. I am ashamed that I could not present a win to the people of Iran today.”

Shamsaei committed several tactical mistakes during the final game. Although Iran was the better team, the head coach failed to introduce a game plan that could penetrate the compact Japanese defenses. On his own team, the failure in defense was the reason for Iran’s inability to defend its title. It was three out of three defensive mistakes that allowed the Japanese to score two goals while Saeid Ahmad Abbasi gifted them a goal by passing the ball into his own team’s net during the powerplay!

Shamsaei in his first experience as Team Melli coach was doing fine until the final game, where he failed against a formidable defense of Japan and had no solution for their tight defending.

Group C: Iran end group stage with another sizzling show

the-afc.com
Sunday, 02 October 2022
Kuwait City:  Defending champions Iran defeated Lebanon 9-0 to end their AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ Kuwait 2022  Group C campaign with a perfect record of three wins on Sunday.
The 12-time champions will face Vietnam in the quarter-finals, having booked their place in the knockout stage with a match to spare.
Iran were left frustrated by Lebanon’s early resistance with the West Asians threatening in the third minute through Fadi Greij’s shot, while at the other end Saeid Ahmad Abbasi did well to control Saeid Momen’s long throw but hit his half-volley high above the bar.
Iran gradually took control with Hossein Tayebibidgoli missing the target from just inside the box before Mohammadhossein Bazyar’s forced effort off a corner was easily collected by Lebanon keeper Karim Joueidi.
Iran finally broke the deadlock in the eighth minute with Salar Aghapour netting a beautiful individual effort, shooting into the top right corner.
Alireza Shahkhali was twice denied by the bar before he set up Tayebibidgoli in the 17th minute for the second goal, with Mustafa Rhyem then scoring an own goal.
Lebanon suffered more woe after Mouhammad Hammoud was forced out of the game through injury in the 18th minute, with Moslem Oladghobad then adding Iran’s fourth from distance.
There was no denying Iran’s superiority as they scored their fifth goal a minute into the restart through Bahman Jafari’s long-range effort before Oladghobad netted again seven minutes later.
Bahman Jafari’s long-range effort before Oladghobad netted again seven minutes later.
Lebanon tried to stem the tide but their efforts fell flat as Iran stretched their lead in the 27th minute with Mahdi Karimi scoring from the halfway line into an unattended goalmouth before Aghapour added his second goal five minutes later from close range.
Tayebibidgoli capped the victory in the 39th minute, beating two defenders on the turn before slotting home.

Group C

RANK TEAM P W D L F A GD PTS
1
IRAN
 3 3 0 0 24 1 23 9
2
INDONESIA
 3 2 0 1 11 8 3 6
3
CHINESE TAIPEI
 3 0 1 2 3 15 -12 1
4
LEBANON
 3 0 1 2 3 17 -14 1