Alishah is barely even a starter when every one is fit, Nourollahi is a benchwarmer and replaceable. Whatever happens Persepolis has too much quality to have any excuse, they have multiple international level player like Taremi, Beiranvand, Rezaeian, Amiri, Hosseini, Kamyabinia who are all European league quality and a decent core. If Esteghlal can make the semis convincingly in 2012 Persepolis should win the whole thing, no excuses at all with these players. Most Iranian ACL teams don't ever have the privilege of having squads like that
I am being realistic. With the squad we had last year we could go up in ACL at least in QF but now situation is different. Most of these players were young and new and full of hunger for fame. Now that feeling is somewhat gone. The quality of the play has declined compared to past season. Players like Taremi and Alisha, Rezaian, Kamyabinia were aiming for Europe. That's why they didn't care about late payments but now they do care and are leaving the team so easy. (Financial problem and empty promises: same old problem most of big Iranian teams have these days). Alisha is a key player in Persepolis but his position overlap with Vahid Amiri, who Branko prefers, otherwise Alisha is much more involved and appreciated in Persepolis. It is like same problem Sasan Ansari had with Persepolis and left. Now, he is the top PGPL goal scorer with 10 goals. After Taremi and Rezaian came back from Turkish club Rizespor they have been in decline specially Taremi. We have problem in our CB position that is why we are using Mohamad Ansari our LB in CB position but it leaves our LB wide open. Alisha is the engine of Persepolis, he is simply unstoppable and runs like a horse. Our technical player Ahmadzadeh was injured and Alipour is getting less time to shine. Nourollahi is one of our best DM but because of Kamyabinia, he has been kept on bench most of the times. He can show his quality in Tractor after season break. Beiranvand , our Gk, broke his hand and it takes time to heal and readjust to the team again. For time being it doesn't look good specially if Mohamad Ansari, Omid Alisha and Ahmad Nourollahi leave us without any one coming to cover their positions. Our biggest problem will be in CB and LB position. I hope we can bring Saeed Aghai from Tractor Sazi to cover our LB and Shoja Khalil Zaded from Sepahan for our CB. Then Soroush Rafie from Tractor to cover Omid Alisha and Sasan Ansari to put Taremi in bench. If that happens, we should aim for final otherwise being among last 16 will be the only thing I can be sure about. Clubs not paying the contract they signed with players is getting really a hinder in Iranian football progress. That SS was full of big names and far from this depleted Persepolis. They had an experienced NT GK as Rahmati, the entire defense line was all NT players DM line was also NT team players with Ando and Neko leading the entire team. Their strikers were decent former PGPL best goal scorers. Our current defense line if remains intact has only two regular NT players in 35 years old Seyd Jalal and younger dude, Rezaian. We don't have anyone compared to Nekonam and Ando of 2013 in our team but our offensive line is better than them. Last and the most important problem is that Persepolis has the highest # of NT players which will be a big problem for us knowing how CQ makes a big deal for delaying the league and other ACL matches to take players for Fifa 2018 qualifiers. There is going to be a lot of matches and different training is very limited time (ACL, PGPL, and WCQs) and I am sure our coach Branko won't get along CQ wanting Persepolis players to train with NT all the times instead of our clubs. The chances of players getting injured is also another problem. This happen back in 2012/2013 and plagued SS Tehran which had 7-8 NT players at the time.
Eastern SC and Guangzhou Evergrande is going to be a hostile contest. The media is already billing it as a rematch between Eastern goalkeeper Yapp Hung-Fai and Guangzhou captain Zheng Zhi, who clashed in the World Cup qualifiers. The distance between the two cities are very close, it is just a 2 hours train journey away. I really hope Eastern SC can play all its home matches in the HK Stadium. But the HK Rugby Sevens is on 7-9 April and the stadium closes itself a month in advance in preparation. So Eastern will have to negotiate with the stadium and HKFA to see what can be done.
Eastern SC confirmed to play all their home matches at Mongkok Stadium. Each match ticket will be priced at HK$180. An ACL package including all three home matches will be priced at HK$480. Tickets maybe available for sale from January.
Any news about Iranian and Saudi clubs' match venues? Or the schedule of this edition will also be mess like last year?
AFC has informed us that we should pick a third country for all matches involving Iranian and Saudi Arabian teams. Saudi teams picked Qatar and Iranian teams apparently picked Oman for the host country. It is in negotiation phase now. I wish we could transfer all matches vs Saudis in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan or Armenia instead of Oman. There is no home advantage in Oman for us. Now Emiratis have started their own biased against Iranian teams. Since they wanted their matches to be played in neutral ground based on baseless arguments but they got rejected by AFC. Now, they are refusing issuing visa for Iranian NT members for our friendly matches. We may have same problems in upcoming matches in ACL. Who says Persian Gulf Arab countries don't mix politics with sport? Check this out now. ( They are losing the war in Syria, Iraq and Yemen and Iranian football clubs should compensate for this according to their logic) Middle east is really messed up these days. I wish the head of AFC was from far east to avoid these shenanigans.
It is such a waste to have the match Al Hilal vs Persepolis in a neutral ground. Damn politics and hostilities in the region. Both Al Hilal and Persepolis are among most popular clubs with huge number of fans across Middle East and Asia. Al Hilal is arguably the most successful and popular Arab team in Asia and probably second most popular Arab team in the world. Persepolis is also arguably the strongest Iranian team and most popular club in west Asia. If there is anything near El Classico it will be this match in west Asia. The only thing coming close to this in technical issue alone will be Al Ain vs Al Hilal but considering the past glory, history and fan base, nothing can replace Persepolis vs Al Hilal specially right now that both clubs are near their past glory. Persepolis is coming back from 10-15 years of chaos while Al Hilal is regaining their pre 2013-2014 form. While Sepahan and Esteghlal Tehran declined tremendously in past two years, Persepolis has come out of shadow really strong. Tractor Sazi and Zob Ahan are the two other strong teams in PGPL now. I wish Tractor Sazi could play in ACL instead of SS Tehran or SS Khuzestan, they are much more eligible to represent Iran in ACL. I think these are the most important matches to watch in each group Group A Al Sadd-Lokomotiv (if Al Sadd qualifies) or Lokomitiv-Al Ahli Group B Lekhwiya-Al Jazira (the easiest group out there) Group C Zob Ahan-Al Ain (the tough battle) Group D Persepolis-Al Hilal (the clash of west asian giants) Group E Kashima Antlers-Brisbane Roar Group F FC Seuol-Shanghai SIPG Group G Guangzhou Evergrande-Suwon Samsung Group H Jeonbuk Hyundai-Jiangsu Suning My Prediction for final 16 teams is: Lokomitiv-Al Sadd/Al Ahli Lekhwiya-Al Jazira Zob Ahan-Al Ain Al Hilal-Persepolis Kashima Antlers-Brisbane Roar FC Seoul-Shanghai SIPG Guangzhou Evergrande-Suwon Samsung Jeonbuk-Jiangsu Suning Final 8 Lokomitiv Al Ain Persepolis Al Hilal Kashima Antlers Guangzhou Evergrande FC Seoul Jeonbuk Final 4
Al Ahly and Zamalek from Egypt are head and shoulders above everyone in the Arab World in every aspects historically, measure the popularity and achievements. No Asian-African team comes even close to that level of greatness. Esperance from Tunisia is the third biggest Arab clubs, Al Hilal probably comes fourth. Al Hilal not only the most successful Arab team in Asia, they're the biggest club in Asia together, all these records on their favor, All-time top Asian Club Championship and AFC Champions League, most points achieved, most wins (76 matches), most goals scored (+250), most finals (5 times), most semi-finals (8 times) and above all most overall titles (6 times: 2 Asian Club Championship - 2 Asian Cup Winners Cup - 2 Asian Super Cup). Having said that, Persepolis obviously are bigger historically, considering the rise of saudi football in the mid-80s, though in all fairness I must say it is highly likely that Persepolis were up to collect several titles if a tournament has not been canceled since early 70s, that decade would be probably dominated by clubs from Iran, Kuwait, Iraq and South Korea.
Persepolis achievements in PGPL and Asia PGPL title: 9 times champions 9 times runner ups Iranian Cup: 5 times champions 2 times runner ups Tehran Province league (Iranian top league during Iran-Iraq war from 1981 until PGPL was functional again in 90-91): 6 times champions 3 times runner ups ACL: Third place: 1996-97, 1999-2000, 2000-01, Forth place: 1997-98 Asian Cup Winners' Cup: Champions: 1990-91 Runner ups: 1992-93 As you can see most of Persepolis prime years related to 90s and early 2000s. Persepolis went to a chaos for over 10 years to come back strong again. This time it is strong enough to go up to semis in ACL if the team doesn't fall apart in winter break because of transfers.
Persepolis is the team that makes teams fall apart in transfer seasons not the other way around In all seriousness you guys should get Dejagah on loan he could be huge advantage for the ACL, could be the difference to challenge for the title
The pick of the draw is certainly Hilal vs Persepolis. It's a real shame Ittihad had to withdraw this year. But the financial and legal troubles have to be sorted out.
Now, it is Tractor Sazi that ruins all the teams by conscription rules! We might lose two good players that we may can not replace. Our bench is not so reliable with the likes of those Ukrainian folks. Ansari may join a Chinese club as well. I hope that doesn't happen otherwise we will be like a Swiss cheese. I have already elaborated what I wants. I guess I have to wait and see what will happen next. Z, man ye hesi daram ke to tarafdar SS hasty dari maro bad mikoni badan bekhandi! I am counting our lost players 1. Alisha is gone already http://90tv.ir/news/342449/سرباز-جدید-تراکتور؛-جدایی-عالیشاه-از-پرسپولیس-قطعی-شد 2. Rumors for Nourollahi to join Tractor Sazi 3. Rumors for Ansari to join a Chinese club which offered 1.2 M dollars for him (still in negotiation phase)
You probably have better inside knowledge of your club. However, looking at the league stats it is pretty much even with three titles/three runners-up, and it's well known that 1970s team was a golden generation for Iran, which completely dominate every major international tournament as more as possible: Asian Cup - Asian Games - World Cup Qualification (plus nearly making at 1974). So in conclusion that much in clubs performance. More like expected. Remember ACC'2001, if they host the final phase, I think that Persepolis will be the overwhelming favorite, they knocked out some of the strongest teams in the west Al Ain, Al Hilal and Al Ittihad, then got with Suwon Samsung into the final minute losing 1-2 in South Korea and Karimi had a great tournament. Suwon Samsung progressed to the final, beating Jubilo Iwata, the Japanese club had Hiroshi Nanami as the best player of the 2000 Asian Cup, Jubilo also lost the final two years in a row to Al Hilal.
That 70s generation was destroyed by Iranian revolution and Iran-Iraq war otherwise they could be the golden age of Persepolis and Iran. The generation of 90s were another crop which brought many titles for Iran and Persepolis while exporting many legionaries as well. Ali Daei -> Germany Karim Bagheri -> Germany, England Mehdi Mahdavi Kia-> Germany Ali Karimi -> Germany Mehrdad Minavand -> Austria Reza Shahroudi -> Turkey and at least a dozen more to Greece, Belgium, England, ...
All this talk about perspolis while it's Taj/Esteghlal that is Irans most successful team. 2 Asian champions league titles 2 second place finishes and bunch of 3rd place finishes making them Asia's most successful club alongside Al hilal and the Korean club. Esteghlal also has a winning record in the Tehran derby which is the biggest in Asia against perspolis. In conclusion blue > red
Esteghlal = crappiest team in PGPL after Machine Sazi! SS Tehran has two titles playing against teams from Sri Lanka, Bangeladish and Indonesia. The time they won that title no respectable Asian teams would compete for the competition. They lost final of ACL in Iran in Azadi stadium. Persepolis has destroyed SS Tehran 6-0, 4-1 and very recently 4-2. Seriously SS is so miserable despite spending twice of Persepolis at transfer window and having people inside IFF and referee departments, they still can not function well. If you are a Taj/SS supporter you better think about a proper coach for your team with a coaching license. Your current coach can not even sit on the bench according to AFC rules. He can not arrange the team without consulting with your goal keeper (Mr Mafia). Last time I heard of your coach, he claimed he had offers from the English team Brighton Albions! Do you remember this? Or the last training method of Mr. Mansourian that caused half of your line up to be injured!
Not ACL related but good article regading to Asian professional Leagues http://www.insideworldfootball.com/...-commercial-challenges-european-imperialists/ Broadcast rights: Chinese Super League: 1.15 Billion USD for 5 years (2016-2020) = 230 m USD per year J-League: 1.778 billion USD for 10 years (2017-2026) = 178 m USD per year Saudi Premier League $1.093 billion for 10 years (2014-2023) = 109m USD per year UAE League: $69 million for 3 years (2016-2019)= 23 m USD per year In comparation,Average attendance of main Asian leagues in nearest concluded seasons: Chinese Super League 2016: 24,159 Indian Super League 2016: 21,003 J-League 2016: 17,968 A-League 2015/16: 12,309 Persian Gulf Pro League 2015/16: 8,048 K-League 2016: 7,894 Saudi Premier League 2015/16: 6,906 UAE League 2015/16: 2,557
The figures for the Saudi league are even worse if you look more closely. More than half of the attendance was at the home games of the 2 Jeddah clubs (the big 2 in Riyadh add another 20%)!
Don't want to get into the SS v PP rivalry too much, but I just want to say I find amusing the parallels between Esteghlal/Taj and Hilal/Olympic . As an Ittihadi, I'm generally biased against "favoured teams", and root for their rivals who compete despite the favouritism.
@PL blah blah at the end of the day we have a superior head to head record and 2 stars on our jerseys while you have none 1 Ghahremani tu Asia hasrate perspolisia
Silence please. 50 sal pish teame tashtak sazi sri lanka ro bordan, dor bareshon dashte.(Got a cup 50 years ago playing against Sri Lankan shoe shiner team and you think you are big shots? Watch Persepolis titles again) Look at your team now, what do you have to say other than a waste land. I didn't want to say this but look at the list of legionaries and players Persepolis had and has. We produced or introduced the best young players in Iran. Ali Daei (Asian best player of 1999), Ali Karimi (Asian player of 2004), Mehdi Mahdavi Kia (Asian player of 2003) and list goes on an on with quality players we sent to Europe. What did you got? the best you got was Farhad Majidi your Emirati magnet being runner up in 2010! You guys were always funded and protected with establishment (except early years of IR) but still can not even come close to Persepolis. Persepolis is popular among majority and famous to be a team of the people for the people.
How is the rivalry in Saudi league? Which teams are dominants? In PGPL we have the traditional Tehrani giants, Persepolis and Esteghlal/Taj and next come Esfahani teams, Sepahan and Zob Ahan. Tractor Sazi from Azerbaijan and Foolad from Khuzestan have turned to formidable opponents in last 10-15 years. We used to have a strong team called Pas Tehran that was ruined by Ahmadi Nejad after this team was dislocated to Hamedan and subsequently relegated to third division. The rest of teams are just playing mickey mouse! Naft Tehran shined last couple of years but got bankrupt last year.
Lol you peasants are funny. We all know the real king is Sepahan. Persepolis and Esteghal fans acting like liverpool fans. Always talking about the past LOL.
This guy knows what's up Let them argue Sepahan is better than both . Although we are in a transition period next year is Sepahan's year Persepolis and Esteghlal is all hype