Tag: Pepe

Taremi saves Porto from Home defeat

The top of the Portuguese League clash between the leaders Porto and second-placed Sporting Club was played at Dragao Stadium in Porto.

That important match for the Portuguese fans was also the center of interest for the Iranian as the Team Melli central forward Mehdi Taremi was starting and the stage was open for him to prove his worth especially after the rumored interest by Arsenal to sign him in the summer. Taremi did not disaaponit. Not only he was the man of the match, but he also scored a brilliant header to save his team from defeat from their fiercest rival.

In this ill-tempered match, Porto was stunned early in the game when the host Sporting scored the opener with a nice close-range header by Paulinho in the 8th minute. As that was not bad enough, the guests Sporting, managed to score the second goal of the game in the 34th minute by Nono Santos from an error committed by Porto Captain Pepe. Sergio Conceiço’s team was able to score their first goal on Mehdi Taremi’s assist to Vieira in the 38th minute.

The first half ended 1-2 to Sporting.

The physical play of both teams caused the referee to brandish many yellow cards, and by the 49th minute, the color of this card turned red for Sporting player Sebastian Coates, with Sporting having to play most of the second half with 10 players. Porto’s pressure was immense in the second half until finally, Mehdi Taremi raised majestically to head a cross into the far corner of Sporting keeper, scoring the equalizer in the 78th minute with his exceptional header.

After the goal, there were many clashes between the players and some also involved the bench. Some ugly scenes were witnessed with the Referee unable to control the match. Not only there were individual pockets of fights everywhere on the pitch which saw an invasion from everyone including the whole bench of both teams. The melee continued until the match was prematurely ended.

It was pandemonium and ugly. Pepe and another player sporting player were dismissed.

The bright side of these ugly scenes is that, for once, Mehdi Taremi took a distance from all these trouble spots. He hardly got himself involved with the opposition players and did not go to the referee and blab his mouth like he usually does. Is this a sign of maturity? We hope that Taremei, a star on his own right now at the world level, maintains this attitude and calm. Indeed it was a truly admirable act by rational Mehdi.

With this draw, Porto reached  60 points to remain at the top of the standings of the Portuguese Premier League.

Morteza Pouraliganji on his way out of QSL

Morteza Pouraliganji is on his way out of Al Sadd after his contract expired with the Qatar Stars League QSL side. He is a free agent now.

In an interview with Mehr News, Team Melli’s defender said “I was a defensive midfielder, but I’ve been playing in the central defense for some years, Carlos Queiroz told me he was sure that his progress at the central defense will be 50% more than my previous post. It was hard for me to be in the post for the first month and I did not know how to play, as I have already played in the post of defensive midfielder for long time.”

Commenting on his experience in the FIFA World Cup , he mentioned the Spanish striker Diego Costa as saying: “Costa is one of the most roughest and ill-mannered football players I’ve seen over the years. I was even afraid to look into his eyes.”

The  Team Melli defender, talked about his tears while hugging Portugal defender Pepe after the match ended in a draw thus eliminating Iran from the World Cup  “Pepe is a professional and has seen a lot of these things. He said you played quite you should be proud well and keep your head raised”

Referring to his status in Qatari Al-Sadd,  Pouraliganji said: “I mentioned my demand for a renewal of the contract , which was not  agreed upon. I said goodbye to this group and will not play against Esteghlal in  AFC Champions League Quarter finals. I also spoke to Xavi on this.

Pouraliganji  has negotiated with orther Qatar and the Turkish League sides,  “Whatever demand I have will be offered by these clubs but I am not just looking for money.  I am 26 years old and it’s time to leave Qatar for a regular European team.”

A chance of a lifetime – Iran vs Portugal

Iran should not be under any pressure to go on the offensive to satisfy some critics‘ whims , neither is Queiroz obliged. He is not the type of a person that is easily influenced by external pressure. The Portuguese realizes that this particular match for more than one reason, is the game of his life and the same applies to all the players of Team Melli too.

Three points after the win against Morocco is not enough for Iran to qualify. Nothing short of a win will do and against Queiroz’s homeland team. After the match against Spain, a win is definitely a possibility against Portugal. Team Melli’s performance warrants praise and admiration, which it deservedly received from football journalist and fans across the world.

Team Melli’s energy against an aging Portugal side, with a suspect defense is a mouthwatering prospect. It is chance that Team Melli should not waste and by profligate forwards. The quality of the finishing touch must be much better and so should be the passing accuracy.

Portugal is not all about Cristiano Ronaldo either. However, limiting and neutralizing the Real Madrid forward, will go a long way in achieving the desired result. The showman that he is, Ronaldo has a clear weakness and that is in his temperament. He can be easily frustrated and that is one major key factor in neutralizing him.  There is no doubt that his former coach has a few tricks up his sleeve to neutralize Ronaldo tonight.

 The eyes are all on the two stars of the team Alireza Jahanbakhsh and Sardar Azmoun to deliver. The latter has an excellent aerial power that has not been utilized yet. Jahanbakhsh needs to improve his game in all departments. Both players need to take the game to the Portuguese box and take on the likes of Fonte and Pepe. They have the ability to beat those two defenders.

Milad Mohammadi’s starting is still in doubt and very much dependent on Hajsafi’s recovery from the knock he received in the Spain game. If Mohammadi starts, his runs and pace will certainly give the Portugal defenders a run for their money and feed those crosses to Azmoun and Taremi. Both the forwards need to be at their best and not to be wasteful.

Team Melli also needs a rpeat performance from that young dynamo Saeid Ezatolahi

A win is achievable. The players need to believe in themselves. There is nothing to lose for Iran but a lot of honor and pride to be gained.

Joao Moutinho

 

 

TEAM NEWS

Iran may be without Olympiakos defender Ehsan Hajsafi, who sustained a thigh injury against Spain.

Milad Mohammadi, who plays his club football for Akhmat Grozny in Russia, is likely to come in if Hajsafi is ruled out.

Portugal midfielder Joao Moutinho is a doubt after missing several days of training through illness.

Raphael Guerreiro has recovered from a minor leg injury but struggled against Morocco and could be replaced.

OVERVIEW

Iran were predicted to finish last in this group in some quarters. They could still end up winning it.

Team Melli, ranked 37 in the world, go into their final match with a chance to reach the World Cup knockout stage for the first time in their history. Spain’s opening match against Portugal may have been the game of the tournament so far, but this fixture should have its own layers of intrigue.

A win is needed to guarantee qualification for Iran. If they claim a victory and Spain fail to win, they would reach the last 16 as group winners. For Portugal, a draw would be enough to go through.

As the nation ranked fourth in the world, and reigning European champions, Portugal should start as clear favourites.

However, Iran have a wildcard in their corner. Coach Carlos Queiroz had two spells managing his native Portugal, including at the 2010 World Cup, where they made the last 16. If Queiroz can utilise his inside knowledge, it may be a feat he replicates at the expense of his former employers.

 

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

  • This is Iran and Portugal’s second World Cup encounter. In 2006, Cristiano Ronaldo’s first World Cup goal, and one from Deco, earned Portugal a 2-0 win.

Iran

  • Iran have never won their final World Cup group stage game (D1, L3), scoring three and conceding 10 in those matches.
  • Team Melli are winless against European opposition at the World Cup, losing six of their seven fixtures.
  • Iran failed to register a shot on target against Spain for the first time in 14 World Cup games.
  • The defeat to Spain was a first in 24 competitive matches overall.
  • Iran are aiming to win two group games at the World Cup for the first time.
  • During his time coaching Portugal, Iran boss Carlos Queiroz oversaw their biggest World Cup victory, a 7-0 win over North Korea in 2010.

Portugal

  • Portugal have won three of their four World Cup games against Asian opposition, losing against host nation South Korea in 2002.
  • Portugal’s 1-0 win over Morocco last time out was their first World Cup clean sheet in six attempts, since a goalless draw with Brazil in 2010.
  • Cristiano Ronaldo has scored his country’s last five goals at the World Cup. The last player to do so for one nation was Russia’s Oleg Salenko in 1994, who scored six in a row.
  • Ronaldo has successfully converted all four of his shots on target at this World Cup.
  • Joao Moutinho could earn a 113th cap against Iran, overtaking Nani (112) to become Portugal’s third-most capped player. Only Ronaldo (152) and Luis Figo (127) have more.