Game ended 0-0. Although we fielded a B-team I am quite disappointed. Highlights: http://footballitarin.com/video_page.php?id=10197
A boring and garbage game. Sharifi (out), Ansarifard (almost out), Hadadifar (out), Khalatbari , Bakhtiar Rahmani (almost out)
He has had a pretty decent season for Las Palmas and it looks like they have a big chance at promoting to La Liga, but I have read Spanish newspapers saying Shojaei may leave for a better club. Probably a La Liga mid-table team.
I hope Iran will make a positive impression but I worry about their lack of experience at WC. Their last time was in 2006, and they weren't qualified in 2002. Moreover, they don't face very often with good/big teams in friendlies (just Russia in 2011 if I'm not wrong...) We can't say if Iran is prepared or not to confront big nations... What do you expect ? Do you think they can pass the group stage ? It would be amazing if Iran was ranked above Nigeria (I hope Asia will pinch a qualifier spot for WC to Africa soon : Japan or other asian teams could need it someday)
Iranian team is not in a good condition at the moment, but it is not horrible as well. Expect no astonishing results. In fact, we expect 4th or 3rd place in our group more likely. Blame it all on mismanagement. We definitely need another spot for future. Uzbekistan is coming very close to the 4 power houses. Saudi Arabia is slowly gaining power, but Iraq is somewhat with unpredictable future. China will rise sometime in next 10 years.
I think we can finish as runner-up in the group with some luck. We have beaten Bosnia twice in the past and Nigeria is no power house either. Our goal is to make it to the last 16, I don't settle with less.
Our defense is solid as hell, I havent seen them this strong for few years now. Looks like Carlos Queiroz will be parking the bus in front of goal and hoping for a miracle which is very much possible seeing how we won South Korea home and away with this tactic. Our only problem is the lack of scoring which worries me. And Shojaei was utter crap this game, give me Hasegawa already. 0-0 fulltime
Sorry to burst your bubble but Iran won't get a single point parking the bus at the WC. This Montenegro team was also missing Damjanovic and Vucinic...
I beg to differ. We only conceded 2 goals out of 8 matches in the World Cup qualifiers. Carlos Queiroz is a defensive mastermind. My biggest concern is scoring goals which we fail to as you have seen.
-CQ is not even close to a defensive mastermind. A defensive mastermind wouldn't allow so many high quality scoring chances relying on the goalkeepers to bail you out.. -Did you not read my previous post regarding the players Montenegro were missing? That's two of their best strikers. (Not to take anything away from your draw against Montenegro ) -Your previous quote: Shows me how misinformed you are about winning points in the WC..
He was a goalkeeper back when he was a player so he is defensive minded. The fact Iran dominated Montenegro today was because Montenegro themselves were defensive too so Iran needed to push forward. So? Miracles do happen at every World Cup.
From left to right: Sadeghi, Beikzadeh, Teymourian, Montazeri, Hosseini, Nekounam. Shojaei, Dejagah, Ahmadi, Ghoochannejhad, Heydari.
Yes, but Carlos thinks well. I don't like the defensive style, but you don't have any chance if will go to attack Argentina...even Bosnia, who has great strikers...
I agree. It's about making improvement and I have never seen Iran being so solid in defending for years now. I'd say we are coming back into the top of Asia again if Queiroz stays of course. He is a good coach, I'd take him over any domestic one. Exactly! Its all about efficiency and winning games. I wish we played exciting football like back in 2004 Asian Cup with Mahdavikia, Ali Karimi and co though.
I just watched the last 30 minutes. Hong Jeo-Ju (Augsburg) was close to get injured but he seems ok for WC.