I wanted another outcome for Iraq, but anyway. Iraqi football has been going through a disastrous time, everything went downhill after the Asian Cup final in 2007 and we're still facing problems (no coach, no friendly matches, trouble between the federation and the NOC/government etc etc). I'm just hoping that they can atleast fix some of them before the tournament. Iraq - Iran will be the first competitive match between these two teams since 2001. Should be a good one.
Iraq seems to be in a bad shape (no coach...) but still, if they're talented like in 2007 they can be hard to beat. Don't like N.Korea and UAE but normally we beat them. With good prep. we can beat anyone.
Iraq Iran will be a cracker but UAE and DPR will be beatable games for both Iraq and Iran. I know Iraq has been going through tough time but they are about individual talent, just like Iran so they will be okay.
As an American who lived in the UAE - I'll definitely go see some of their games - might want to wear a Canada shirt or something though... Interesting group though - should make for some good games. Will opt to see Iraq v Iran - UAE v N.Korea will be a snoozer me thinks.
Iranian football has gone down the tubes. I was hopeful in June 2005 when we qualified...but Daei otu-staying his stay on TM and then coaching Iran to disastreous results....but even with the Daei disaester, we neearly qualfiied and would have qualified IF Park Ji-Song didn't score at the last minute!!!
This group is not as easy as it may seem at first glance. N. Korea is most definitely a contender to advance, and have been gaining more confidence game by game ever since their first WC qualification campaign against S. Korea in which they played very well but not quite as confident as they are now. Iraq has great individual talent and on any day they can still be a strong team. UAE is not a push over; although, they may not have much of a chance to advance they can be the spoiler. Iran's NT is an unkown as of now. Mr. Ghotbi hasn't really been challenged nor has he shown anything special yet. This is Mr. Ghotbi's time to SHOW UP and deliver the goods.
In my opinion, Iran was the strongest team in Asia for much of the period between 1996-2006, even though it didn't win the trophies it deserved to win. Since then, however, Iran has declined to being one of half a dozen teams just trailing the first tier sides in Asia. Much like the other teams in Iran's Asian Cup group. Which means Iran could end up anywhere between first and last in this group, even if it will most likely finish either first or second.
I think we have the most talent in Asia and imo had the strongest team in Asia from 96-02. In 02 it was S. Korea. They were absolutely superb in the WC. I know it was held in SK and they had some calls but regardless they beat the teams and played well. I think the decline really started after the WC...we suffered some injuries and the whole Daie fiasco (he NEVER should have been the manager..Ghotbi from the start)...the damage was done by the time Ghotbi got in charge.
Iraq are going to be the defending Asian Cup champions, and will be looking to repeat as champions, it all depends on if they can get back to their form of 2007 which saw them win it all, and if they can do that, Iraq will be very hard to beat, so I say Iraq will finish at least 2nd for me, I'm sorry Iran, now they are the team for me that will finish 1st in this group, as they do have the talent, the quality, and Iran are a very hard team to beat especially on counter-attack
So official prediction as of now, official, it will be Iraq finishing 2nd in this group, and Iran finishing top of the table in 1st
I'm not changing my official prediction, I am definitely sticking to it, Iraq finishes 2nd and Iran finishes 1st
Iran should easily top this group. But it's tough to predict between DPR Korea and Iraq. Either one can get the second place. Should be close.
It won't be easy at all. I hope we get our act together and start playing to our potential, but realistically I wouldn't be surprised if we finished 2nd in the group. Iraq and N.Korea are both very decent and will give us difficulties (especially Iraq), and while N.Korea and Iraq will probably dispose of UAE, we all know how much trouble UAE always gives Iran.
Hoping to catch the Iraq v Iran game... I'll try and catch a North Korea game as well, try and mingle with the fans a bit.
I think there will be a lot of pressure on the North Korean team to perform well given their success in the U16 and U19 Championships. That being said, I really want Iran to win the tournament for two reasons: 1. Who wouldn't want to win the Asian Cup, particularly Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Japan who are tied with three championships a piece. 2. More importantly, the winner of the AFC Asian Cup will take part in the 2013 Confederations Cup which will include very strong teams. Given Team Melli's lack of ability to set quality friendlies, if we are to qualify for the 2014 World Cup, the Confederations Cup will be a great opportunity to test our skills and get used to Brazil.
Ghotbi list for asian cup Iran Gk 1.Rahmati (sepahan,iran) 2.Gordan (zob ahan,iran) 3.Mirzapour (peykan,iran) 4.Haguigui(persepolis,iran) DF 1.Monterazi(esteghlal,iran) 2.Aguily(sepahan,iran) 3.Hosseini(sepahan,iran) 4.Ehsan(sepahan,iran) 5.k.heydari(sepahan,iran) 6.Talebi(zob ahan,iran) 7.Nosrati(teraktor,iran) 8.Rahimi(rah ahan,iran) MF 1.Mobali(esteghlal,iran) 2.M.nouri(persepolis,iran) 3.Masoud(osasuna,spain) 4.Nekeounam(osasuna,spain) 5.P.nouri(malavan,iran) 6.Andranik(teraktor,iran) 7.Kiani(teraktor, iran) 8.Hadadifar(zob ahan,iran) fw 1.Ansarifard(saipa,iran) 2.Gholami(steel azin,iran) 3.G.rezai(persepolis,iran) 4.Hadi norouzi(persepolis,iran) 5.Khalatbari(zob ahan,iran) 6.Arash afsin(foolad,iran) 7.Reza norouzi(foolad,iran) Iran .......................................Rahmati......................................... ...................................(sepahan,iran).................................... .........................Aguily......................Hosseini......................... ......................(sepahan,iran).............(sepahan,iran)................. .........Ehsan.....................................................Nosrati............. .....(sepahan,iran).........................................(teraktor,iran)........ .........................Nekeounam(c)...............Nouri........................... .......................(osasuna,spain)...........(malavan,iran).................... ...................Masoud...................................Andranik.................. ...............(osasuna,spain).........................(teraktor,iran)............. ...........................................G.rezai......................................... ......................................(persepolis,iran).................................. ......................................Gholami.............................................. .................................(steel azin,iran)........................................
Those four players should be cut immediately! I still don't understand why Ghotbi calls up Haj Safi to play in the LB position especially considering that LB is not his natural position (which he has proven through countless lackluster performances) and also considering the fact that Mahini (a natural LB) reached the ACL finals with Zob Ahan.
what the ******** is up with these retards who keep omitting kaebi. first it was that uneducated retard ghalenoi now it is this opportunistic money hungry ghotbi. we need width down the right. we need him now more than ever since mahdavikia is gone. we still have not 1 decent forward. nekounam, shojaei, khalatbari, or our defenders headers are going to be the source of goals. we should play 4-3-3 with shojaei and khalatbari on the wings and rezai in the middle. nosrati should play left back otherwise we will leak goals from there.
I tend to think this group is the toughest and nothing is certain for any of the four teams. Iraq are the current champions and will try to repeat that -- advancing from group stage is a must. N. Korea made it to the WC after four decades despite their performance; they still enjoy an upward momentum with some quality players combined with team speed. UAE can always take away points from the bigger teams, especially against Iran. Everything will have to be gained. No free lunch for anyone in this group.. one small slip and you are out. I still like Iran and Iraq chances to advance. There will be action.
http://www.vfl-bochum.de/site/_home/aktuelles/8922_vfllehntfreistellungfuerchongteseabp.htm Chong Tese will miss the tournament.