Cambodia 0–4 Iraq Bahrain 1–0 Iran 1. Iraq 7pts ------------- 2. Bahrain 7pts ------------- 3. Iran 6pts 4. Hong Kong 1pt 5. Cambodia 1pt
Football is the last thing Iraqis think about now... Basra wouldn't be safe for Iranians in the current circumstances, that's for sure.
Hong Kong 0 Bahrain 0 Iraq 2 Iran 1 Iran with some work to do here to qualify. Bahrain may look back at todays result as a chance missed.
We are actually fortunate not to have been eliminated already and still have a slim chance to qualify largely thanks to Hong Kong. Our new manager is just horrible. He’s not motivated at all and his player selection is questionable. He basically has no clue what he is doing. If he stays on, we are probably doomed. If he gets fired, we might still make it through somehow with 3 home matches remaining.
The discipline and mentality you guys had under CQ seems to be completely vanished Hard luck. It was an exciting game as always. Still think there's a chance for Iran to go through.
You guys fully deserved to win this, even if the winning goal came very late. You played better, harder and had the better chances. This maybe a blessing in disguise for us as well, if this incompetent fool sitting on our bench is fired. Hopefully, we can turn this around next summer.
Congrats to Iraq for this win, you guys really deserved it. We looked so lackluster and idealess, couldn’t even create one single attack. Hopefully this amateur coach will be sacked soon. On the other hand Katanec is a really solid coach for Iraq.
Hong Kong 2 Cambodia 0 Iraq 0 Bahrain 0 Iraq 11 Bahrain 9 Iran 6 Hong Kong 5 Cambodia 1 Iran in a spot of bother here and probably need 10 points from their last 4 games to have a chance of qualifying. 3 home games will assist, but they can't afford a slip up now. Both Iraq and Bahrain will need 6 points from their games against Cambodia and Hong Kong and then hope to get something in Iran.
The best possible outcome for us was a draw between Iraq and Bahrain which happened. In theory the maths is easy, win all 4 remaining games and progress as group winners. But with this disaster of our coach, I'm sure we will struggle even at Azadi against Iraq. So I'm not that hopeful as long as Wilmots is leading our team...Bahrain also looks strong and they conceded only 1 single goal in 5 games.
Yes. The draw means winning the group is still in your hands and 4 wins will guarantee it. 10 points only gives you a chance of being one of the best second placed teams. I'm still hoping you guys get through to the next round and we are drawn together. We've been in AFC for close to 15 years and we have never played each other through 4 Asian Cups and three and a half world cup qualifying tournaments. Its time that changed.
Iran's current situation was expected. They have over-achieved over the last 8 years for the talent they have got with Queiroz in charge. Their hero Jahanbakhsh hasn't played a single minute in the EPL this season while 18-year-old Japanese and Korean kids have scored or assisted in the La Liga. Even Azmoun has been overshadowed in Russia by Uzbek striker Shomurodov who is the current top scorer in the RPL. Now Iran is returning to the true level of their players' skill.
Although you are right that CQ really knew how to manage the team to our strengths and perhaps even rise above expectations, I think this is a bit harsh. Considering our overall squad quality we should at the very least tie Bahrain and Iraq. And you’re also not mentioning the role of Azmoun in Zenit’s relatively successful CL campaign, he’s scored 2 goals against Lyon and Benfica. Not to mention that he also scored in previous CL games against Ajax, Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munchen.
Over-achieved? Did Iran reach R16 of WC with CQ? Did Iran reach AC final with CQ? Iran was expected to reach the last WC after getting Oman and India as strongest opponents in the second round of qualifiers and based on the form of opponents in the final round of WCQs 2018. In last AC, Iran would have reached top 4 with most coaches based on the draw and the form of teams. What? You are the first football fan who is calling Jahanbakhsh hero. No Iranian fan ever called him hero. So are you saying that Iran's true level is not finishing top two in this group? During final round of WCQs 2018, you said multiple times Korea got a brainless manager. That is why they lost to China, Qatar, etc. Now you are not saying that Iran got a brainless manager and that is why Iran is keep losing in this group. The reason for your discrimination is obvious. The brainless manager still does not know Masoud Shojaei should not be even in the squad any more. He invites Shojaei, puts him in the lineup, and does not substitute him after his first yellow card. BTW do you remember how CQ started as Iran coach? Do you remember he lost to Lebanon, Uzbekistan at home, draw against Qatar at home in front of 100000 during WCQs 2014? Iran could qualify to the WC 2014 by winning the last three qualifier games. CQ never achieved anything notable as a head coach. He also had an unsuccessful Copa America with Colombia. He is more known as successful assistant, planner, or talent scout but unsuccessful head coach. IMO he can never be a successful head coach for any senior team in the world. Just because WIlmots is terrible, It does not mean CQ is exceptional.
Wilmots entered Iran only 4 days before Iraq game because IFF could not transfer his salary to his account due to sanctions. Iran started the training for Iraq game only 3 days before the game. As a result, Iran was almost careless in the game. Less than two weeks before Iraq game, Wilmots sent a letter to IFF and said he cannot coach the team for Iraq game and continue his work because IFF did not fullfill their financial commitments and did not pay his salary yet. This put stress on IFF and they could finally transfer the money to his account hardly. This happened in a very bad time and had bad impact on the team. IFF is going to have a meeting with Wilmots in next Monday based on what we heard and make the decision whether they should continue or terminate the cooperation. At the moment there is a good chance they terminate the coopereation and IMO that is the best scenario for both sides at the moment.
So Wilmots his contract got finally terminated and he's nog longer Team Melli's coach. Good riddance, let's pretend that this chapter of our football never happened. He was a horrible, terrible manager. Now it's time to put our best efforts in these remaining four games. Go Team Melli!
Helio turned them into an effective counterteam. Turns out he was a member of the Portugal youth team in 1989 - coached by Carlos Queiroz
Even just beating Hong Kong would essentially put Iraq through the next round. It should be enough to put them in at the top 5 of the best runners-up barring a couple of upsets. Although defeating Hong Kong won’t be easy.