Tag: Saeid Ezatolahei

Sardar Azmoun back in action

Sardar Azmoun made a successful return to competitive action on Friday, providing an assist just two minutes after stepping onto the pitch as Shabab Al-Ahli cruised to a dominant 5-1 victory over Al-Dhafra in the ADNOC Pro League.

The match, which took place in the 18th week of the UAE league season, marked the Iranian striker’s first appearance in four months. Azmoun was introduced as a substitute in the 75th minute and immediately made his presence felt, setting up a goal for his teammate in the 77th minute to cap off a memorable comeback.

Shabab Al-Ahli’s emphatic win also saw another Iranian international, Saeed Ezzatollahi, get on the scoresheet. The midfielder calmly converted a penalty to register his team’s second goal of the evening.

The comprehensive victory propelled Shabab Al-Ahli to the top of the league standings. The Dubai-based club, who are drawn to face Tractor SC in the Round of 16 of the AFC Champions League Elite, will be boosted by Azmoun’s return to form and fitness ahead of that crucial encounter.

In another fixture involving an Iranian player, Al-Wahda suffered a narrow 2-1 home defeat to Al-Jazira. Reza Ghandipour, the young Iranian talent featuring for Al-Wahda, was brought on in the 67th minute but was unable to help his side overturn the deficit.

Ezzatollahi Set to Lead Team Melli in Tanzania Friendly

As Team Melli prepares for its second and final fixture of the October FIFA window against Tanzania, the squad is poised to take the pitch with a new face wearing the captain’s armband. With the anticipated absence of senior figures Mehdi Taremi and the under-fire Alireza Jahanbakhsh, the leadership duty is expected to fall upon the experienced shoulders of defensive midfielder Saeed Ezzatollahi.

Ezzatollahi, a fixture in the national team since his debut as a 19-year-old in 2015, brings nearly a decade of international experience to the role. With 78 caps to his name, the 29-year-old has been a constant presence through the tenures of coaches from Carlos Queiroz to Dragan Skocic, establishing himself as a central pillar in Amir Ghalenoei’s current setup. The occasion holds a special significance for Ezzatollahi, as he will be representing Iran at the home stadium of his club, Shabab Al-Ahli, in what promises to be a source of double motivation.

He will not be alone in providing leadership. Saman Ghoddos, another key legionnaire based in the UAE Pro League, is also part of the team’s leadership group. Fresh off a spectacular assist in the recent match against Russia, Ghoddos will be looking to build on that form in Dubai and cement a more prominent role in Iran’s offensive machinery.

This friendly presents a critical opportunity for Ghalenoei to experiment with a new on-field hierarchy and test different tactical combinations as the long-term preparation for the 2026 World Cup continues.

Anticipated Lineup Changes and Tactical Puzzles

The match is expected to feature several changes to the starting eleven that faced Russia:

  • Defensive Reshuffle: Milad Mohammadi, newly recalled to the squad, is likely to start at left-back, replacing the out-of-position central defender Ali Nemati. This move aims to add genuine width and defensive stability to the flank.
  • Attacking Options: In the absence of Taremi, Ghalenoei could choose to start either Kasra Taheri or Allahyar Sayyadmanesh, or even utilize both in a dynamic attacking setup.
  • Midfield Creativity: To address the lack of creative impetus, there is a strong possibility that Javad Hosseinnejad could be handed a start to inject inventiveness into the midfield.
  • Defensive Concerns: The central defensive partnership of Aberghouei and Khalilzadeh, who were at fault for both goals conceded against Russia, is also under review. However, Ghalenoei’s options are limited. The lack of pace in the heart of the defense remains a significant vulnerability, one that the speedy Tanzanian attackers will be eager to exploit.

The friendly against Tanzania is more than just a fixture; it is a laboratory for Ghalenoei. It is a chance to assess new leaders, rectify visible weaknesses, and build momentum before the crucial World Cup campaign resumes.

Match Details:

  • Teams: Iran vs. Tanzania
  • Venue: Rashid Stadium, Dubai
  • Date & Time: October 14, 2025; 19:00 Local Time (18:30 Iran Time)

Rashid Stadium, Dubai will host Iran vs Qatar game.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has announced that Rashid Stadium in Dubai, UAE, will host Iran’s home match against Qatar on October 15. This match is part of the fourth round of the third stage of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

According to the AFC’s official website, the match will kick off at 7:00 pm Doha time. The decision to relocate the match from its original venue, Imam Reza Stadium in Mashhad, Iran, was made due to the current geopolitical situation, necessitating a neutral ground for the fixture.

Dubai, known for its significant Iranian diaspora, offers a familiar environment for Team Melli. The city’s Rashid Stadium, home to Shabab Al-Ahli, where Iranian stars Sardar Azmoun and Saeid Ezatollahi play, is expected to provide a supportive atmosphere for the Iranian team. This relocation not only ensures the safety of the players and fans but also maintains the competitive integrity of the qualifiers.

The match is highly anticipated, as both Iran and Qatar are strong contenders in the Asian qualifiers. Fans from both nations are expected to turn out in large numbers, making it a vibrant and exciting event.

Team Melli landed in Dubai this evening after a flight from Tashkent, via Tehran for re-fueling and then Dubai.

Iran will be without 2 players due to injury, Jalali and Kannani and two due to suspension, Hardani and Saman Ghoddos.

Wilmots “We at least deserved a draw, we were unlucky”

The head coach of Iran’s Team Melli says his team did not deserve the losses against Bahrain and Iraq!

Marc Wilmots, in the post-match press conference following the loss to Iraq, said  “We had a tough 15 minutes at the start of the game. Then we conceded a goal but soon recovered and took control. We made some mistakes in the second half and we ended up with 10 players. This defeat forces us to get maximum points out of the remaining matches in order to advance to the next round.”

Asked what plans he has to achieve this qualification, Wilmots responded:

 “We are doing our best for home games as well as the one away game against Cambodia,”. Commenting on his team’s two consecutive World Cup qualifying defeats, The Belgian coach said” We could have at least got two points in the two games against Bahrain and Iraq, but that didn’t happen. Perhaps it is better to say that we were unlucky and both matches could have ended in a draw”

Wilmots commenting on the playing conditions and whether the defeat was a consequence of the red card given to Team Melli’s Captain Masoud Shojaei “ I have been in football for 30 years. One should never blame any individual for a defeat. We are all to be blamed for the failure and not just one player. We had some mistakes in this game. We made some mistakes in defensive covering. On top of that, we were short in the last 10 minutes.” Wilmot’s claims that some the Iranian media is blaming the failure on the absence of Jahanbakhsh and Saeid Ezatollahei. “ It is not like what it sounds. Jahanbakhsh and Ezatollahei have not played for a while. In addition, we did not have Haji Safi due to injury in the match.”