I feel like this is the first major tournament in more than a decade where many fan aren't very excited about. I get a sense that a lot of us don't have huge expectations (At least I don't). I actually think this is a good thing because it takes the pressure off the players. We always play better when the pressure is off. Anyways the 27 men squad was announced a few days ago: Goalkeepers: Mehdi Rahmati, Ebrahim Mirzapour, Alireza Haghighi, Shahab Gordan. Defenders: Khosro Heidari, Pejman Montazeri, Hadi Aghily, Mohamamd Nosrati, Jalal Hosseini, Farshid Talebi, Ehsan Hajsafi, Abouzar Rahimi. Midfielders: Javad Nekounam, Andranik Teymourian, Ghasem Hadadifar, Pejman Nouri, Iman Mobali, Mehdi Kiani, Mohammad Nouri. Forwards: Hadi Norouzi, Gholam Reza Rezaei, Masoud Shojaei, Karim Ansarifard, Arash Afshin, Mohamamd Gholami, Reza Norouzi, Mohammad Reza Khalatbari. Expected lineup: ---------------------------Rahmati--------------------------- --Heidari-------Hosseini------------Aghili-------Nosrati--------- ----------P.Nouri------Nekounam----Teymourian--------------- ------Masoud-----------Ansarifard---------Khalatbari----------
I think you're right. Replace Ansarifard with Gholami in the aforementioned line-up and I think we're looking at the most probable starting XI for the tournament (although Nouri usually plays on the left in Ghotbi's 4-3-3). I wouldn't be surprised, however, if Ghotbi used a 4-2-3-1 against weaker teams, replacing Nouri with someone like Rezaei or Mobali. In any case, I hope we see Arash Afshin on the final roster. I'd like to see how he plays with the national team and I'd rather see him on the pitch than Ansarifard.
the first post was to say that kaebi>heydari after the original poster posted his line up. then someone didnt get the message so i said it again. then another one thought that i didnt know that kaebi was invited even though the whole point of me going kaebi>heydari was to state my displeasure at ghotbi ommitting kaebi. so to clear up the issue: kaebi>heydari.
I'm not able to follow what goes on in "west Asia" with the lack of football channels/coverage in Aust, but for your above reasons as well as wanting to make up for the disappointment of missing a WC spot last year and being refreshed by that break, i think Iran are a good dark horse for this Tournament (along with the Saudi's). The same expectations both countries usually take into tournaments won't be there this time and IF either country can step it up a level from the 2010 WCQ's, then i think both are a very good chance of winning this thing. Good luck.
Who do you expect to start up front. A lot of people talk about Ghomali as center forward but I really want to see Ansarifard instead. I think he's more motivated knowing scouts are watching. Also why does Ghotbi never start Khalatbari, is it just me or is Khalatbari one of our best players right now.
i think gholami will start and later be subbed for ansarifard. as to why khalatbari does not start, who knows? i guess its the same reason that hajsafi starts at left back, or the fact that shojaei is given the cart blanch every damn time (just because he plays in a european league) despite poor performances. and the reason is, ghotbi is not a great functional coach. sorry i dont mean to bring in negativity but some of the decisions ghotbi makes just baffles me. that being said PAYANDE BAD IRAN!!! IRAN CHIKARESH MIKONEH???
1-1 at half time against Iraq, we are dominating the game and deserve to win, would really like to see Khalatbari in the second half.
BACHEHA MOTSHAKERIM BACHEHA MOCHAKERIM!!!!!!!!!! Afarin, played great, Khalatbari was the catalyst in the second half, he really should be a starter. If Dejagah joins us for the world cup qualifiers we should be able to qualify to the world cup easily.
Khalatbari has proved yet again why he is such a vital player that can penetrate the defence of any team! I think Ansarifard should start next game and get more playing time. I did not see that much from Gholami, what do you think guys?
Khalatbari is best used as a sub. He is a game changer. Bring him 60th minute when all the defenders are tired and he will punish them left and right.
Ye he could be used as a super sub too, he can definitely wreak havoc on a tired defense forcing them to give away lots of fouls.
against north koreas stubborn defense (it will be even better than iraqs fine defensive marking today) we need khalatbari to start. from the beginning i was scratching my head at the decision to play with gholami... and he didnt do anything the whole game (even if he didnt get much service). put shojaie in the middle and khalatbari on the left. or put ansarifard in the middle and switch between shojaie/mobali in attacking midfield.
Congrats on your win last night.. was there and got this vid of the winning goal. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbSSydCs8N0"]YouTube - Iran 2-1 Iraq - Iman Mobali scores winning goal in Asian Cup 2011[/ame]
Anything less than 2-0 tomorrow and I'll be pissed. I wasn't expecting much from this team but they surprised me. Hope they keep up their form.