It is no use escaping the fact that Team Melli victory against Qatar was a combination of a stroke of good luck, which in fact Iran deserves, and failure of the opposition focus. Qatar played a very well organized match and could have easily scored a goal or two during the match. They had pace, solid defense and individual skills to trouble Team Melli. However, they ended up losing the match due to a killer mistake by the keeper, who gifted the goal to Iran in the 94th minute of the match.
A brief analysis of the match on why Team Melli failed to perform up to expectation indicates some critical failure by the team management in preparing the team. The team played under incredible psychological pressure from the media, the federation and worse than all, from the Head coaches himself. It is prudent to say that this is a young team with players in their early twenties playing in front of 80,000 passionate fans. So that immense pressure was boiling even before that match started. Hyping players has become a standard practice in the modern sports. It is a work of science and a domain for the professionals in sport psychology. in Team Melli , this role is carried out by Carlos Queiroz who is far from being anywhere near a professional in this field.
The man sets the worst example for bad case of anger management, lack of self-control and loss of composure during matches. His TV interview where he was talking as if Iran is prepare for a war against an enemy , is a clear evidence that this man does not have the tools to suitably prepare his players mentally & emotionally. The players felt that pressure from the start and subsequently did not perform anywhere close to their last three games, when there was little or no pressure.
Time and again , Iran has failed in mentally preparing a good team for the major tasks. Over-hyped emotion and prayers have been engaged where the situation requires methodical and systematical means of mind control.
Fortunately for Iran, in Shenyang Olympic stadium, that psychological pressure will not there. In fact, in a role reversal, it is the Home team who will endure such pressure. China has to deliver after their narrow 2-3 loss on the opening day to South Korea, A good result against Asia’s top team is demanded by the fans and media in China. Only a win can be satisfactory for a country that has invested hugely in the club football, especially in the last few years.
China showed much grit and determination against South Korea, Like Qatar they were the unlucky losers but unlike Qatar, their lapse of concentration was not momentarily but lasted much longer resulting in conceding of three goals. It is there where Team Melli can hit the Chinese. The far and few scoring chances must be effectively taken.
Queiroz needs to put his house in order, too. No rhetoric of his or his coaching staff can hide the fact that Iran has performed poorly against Qatar and an enormous task is needed to come out of Shenyang with points.
The lineup needs changing. Rezaeian was clearly short of form and idea against Qatar. Taremi lost in the forward line and the middle of the field needs a serious change of game plan, tactics and perhaps players. Dejagah and Ezatollahei were good but could not influence the match nor produce enough balls to feed the forwards. Teymourian was excellent in his role as a defensive midfielder while Jahanbakhsh was not so prominent. The addition of Mehdi Torabi will strengthen the midfield.
In defense, apart from one heart stopping blunder by Biranvand when he completely missed the ball on a cross against Qatar, he was generally fine and dependable. That same cannot be said about the central defense. Hosseini, the most experienced of the players is slow and can be easily intimidated. Montazeri suffers from lack of pace like his partner. There is a dire need of a solid and fast defender, which Iran fortunately has in the form of Morteza Pouraliganji. The Al Sadd defender has the added advantage of playing in the Chinese professional league so his experience will be that more valuable. The team should not defend deep against China because the shortage of pace in Iran’s defense could prove costly for Team Melli.
Azmoun still remains the top choice for the front line, but Taremi has to go on the bench allowing Queiroz to add to his midfield power by selecting Torabi , Ebrahimi or Shojaei.
A win for Team Melli is certainly possible. They are the better team, no doubt but they need to prove it. It will be a close match.
