Re: Kaabi I did notice Kaabi and you are right, he was perhaps the best player on the Iranian team and a joy to watch. I also follow the EPL and hope to see him there and hope the politics in your country will realize the true potential of Iranian football and allow the industry to flourish on its own and not get involved. Cheers
Before anything else I would like to congratulate the Portugese National Football team for the win. Today they showed that they are the best team in Group D. I expect them to come in first place in the group. These times are quite difficult for a die-hard Iranian football fanatic. Don't get me wrong, there are no excuses for today's loss. Portugal is simply on a higher class than Iran. The match against Mexico, however, is a different story; an Iranian win on that day was highly possible. And that is what's so frustrating... That we beat ourselves, we abolished our Round of 16 dreams because of lack of concentration, not a lack of ability. What is even more frustrating is reading about the constant battles and feuds in the Iran camp, the politics around the game, the not-so-competent coach, the corrupt federation, and a terrorist supporting regime. All these factors are the roots of Iran's problems. Still though, despite the two losses, Iran showed a brief glimpse of its quality players and the potential of its squad. For an Iran fan, it hurts even more to see our star, our Ronaldinho, our Deco, our Zidane, our Totti, underperform to such a drastic degree... Believe me, the Iranian knows how big of a difference a fit Karimi could have made. But I'm not saying this as an excuse to our unsuccessful World Cup campaign. Of course, football is a team sport and we should have prepared better. It does hurt to be out of the World Cup. But the loss today didn't hurt as much as the one versus Mexico. Portugal was simply too good. Mexico wasn't as good as expected (although they are still a quality side). I can only wish for a better future. I hope we have a convincing win over Angola for the sake of our national pride. I truly hope Portugal does well in this World Cup. After Iran and Brazil, Portugal has always been my favourite team. I absolutely love Scolari as well as the skill and flair of the Portugal's players.
I understand your feelings. If you want to know my opinion I think the Iranian players did the best they could against us. Actually I think they didn't commit so many mistakes in the defense as they did against Mexico. At this point I have to agree with you -- if it weren't those mistakes in the defense, the outcome of the match against Mexico, could have probably been very different. You know what? Four years ago, we were feeling the same, so that's why I understand. I wish you the best for the next match although I confess I feel a strong sympathy for Angola. I can't see Angolans as foreigners. My family lived there and some of the players are Portuguese-Angolans (the goal-keeper João Ricardo, for instance). Don't feel bad, look at what happened with the Checz Republic. That's just soccer. Kudos to all Iranian fans!
We have been there before and... all I can say is, Iran needs to learn from this and use this experience in the future. Portugal's success tonight wouldn't have been possible if Portugal didn't learn from the traumatic failure of 2002. So (and I know this won't help you much right now but ) in the long run, something good can still come out of Iran's 2006 WC participation. About tonight... we've made it out of the group stages for the first time since 1966... first time in my life... I have criticised Scolari on more than one occasion but I have to admit that much of this is his work. He knows what he's doing and there is a method behind all of his stubborness. Now the question is how far can we go, and I see that even some Irish Portugal "fans" are worried Well, don't worry so much. From now on our opponents won't be so defensive as Angola and Iran were, and will actually open themselves up to try to attack us... ...and as we know, this is how we play best.
Irish people are cool, and I was cheering for the plucky, never say die Irish team at the 2002 WC, but this really pissed me off Maybe Duff can settle EPL scores in the EPL
Id like to congratulate Portugal for a well deserved win. Im very very dissapointed with Iran, they can do far better than this. Its heartbreaking when you have waited so many years to see players like Karimi, M.Kia in the WC and once we get there they are crippled with bad injuries. Poor Karimi cant even play more than 60 minutes! Portugal is clearly the best team in group D but will have to snap up its game if it wants to go far. Pauleta and some other portugese players are far below theire top standard...while Deco is world class! I also would like to congratulate Kaabi and Andranik in TM for playing theire hearts out as well as a few others. Karimi/M.Kia and Hashemian where all far far below theire top form...Id say you saw 10% Karimi and 20% M.Kia in this WC...thats what hurts me the most added with some of the most idiotic coaching at a WC! Mexico is more or less out in the next round unless a miracle happens. Mexico got no offense but probably the best defence in our group! Good luck to both and thanks for us!
I think part of the problem with Iran was the fact that they wrapped up qualifying rather early.....it kind of took the edge off a bit. Maybe Mexico will be your "Iran" moment. My team was pushed to be better after the loss in 1998 to Iran (the Sampson tour of death). We had done nothing until 2002 when we got to the quarters. Maybe humiliation will be the catalyst for greater things for Iran ( I use the term humiliation in regards to results only......not effort or quality of play). Your boys played with heart, I don't think they dogged it and both goals were put in bad places so they weren't cheap goals. Iran has a great deal of talent (I'd rank them 2nd in asia behind Korea and just above or even with Japan). You'll figure it out.
What the hell are u talking about? Iran got more points than South Korea in qualifications. Also, South Korea lost 2 matches (both home and away to Saudi), Where as Iran only lost one match, and this match was away to japan and both teams had already qualified and used their B-teams. You must be on crack.
I believe in Miracles but Mexico doesn't need one. Simple as this if La Volpe starts striker Franco it won't be promising for Mexico because he has been useless. When la volpe substituted Fonseca for Franco for the last 15 minutes, Fonseca did more than Franco did the whole game. Angola was very defensive and Mexico didn't score simple as that. Mexico's performance was poor because they had numerous opportunities to score against Angola and the midfield played awful. The czech rep made me feel alot better with Mexico's 0-0 draw against Angola. I still believe in team Mexico..I mean why wouldn't I? 4 points and no defeats. Aside from this there is a Mexican saying in Spanish "Yo le voy a mi gallo hasta que se le caigan las plumas" Translation "I'm going for my rooster until it's feathers fall off"
Short and sweet; 1. Persian friends: your defender's blunder against Mexico cost you the round of 16. Your style is pleasant, your yesterday tactics were good and Mirzapour threw in a pair of miracles. I prefer your team over any other on Asia. You're also tough but frontal competitors and you don't cheat or dive. You should beat Angola to make a farewell party to your incredibily loyal and well behaved supporters. Our fans respect you and godspeed. 2. Us: We did what we should. We should win against Mexico in order to finish first. I would only rest Carvalho (he must be eligible for the round of 16) and Figo. I think that if we play with Holland (Mexico could make all others the favor of taking Argentina, eh, eh), as I root for, we should change both wingbacks. Two more defensive guys to stonewall Van Persie and Robben. We were the ones that prevented them to go to last WC and won the Euro semi-final. Like the proverb says... 3. To all others: we like dribbling, we hate cheaters, we despise divers and we love football. And our best teamwork is that most of us truly judge racism shameful.
no thank god Iran are headin home.....nothing agasint iran as a country or nation but your football team were boring to watch and no gameplan at all......unless you call defending with 10 behind the ball....a system? also i thought the players went down a little easy and were not really bothered about the game shame really as i know how much football means to the iranian people
I hope you do well versus Angola and the politics of Iranian football would do well to learn from football fans like yourself.
I think the game could have gone either way and Iran could have easily drawn or even won the match. No doubt Iran be there again in 2010.
Your correct Iran will be back and they will be better than ever. The potential of Iran is great. Quite frankly I wished Mexico wasn't in this group I would of loved to cheer for you guys.
the asian confederation is going to get more tough for the 2010 qualifications now that Australia is in. Also China sooner or later is gonna get better. With over 1 billion people you would think they'd find some good talent in the country
china didnt get through cause they had a terrible manager....Arie hann....yeah exactly!!! beleive me they have the players....as bora showed in the last world cup
Iran number one Ebrahim Mirzapour is wanted by Portuguese outfit National Madeira. The 27-year-old had a difficult opening game at the World Cup finals against Mexico, but he then made amends with a terrific display against Portugal. Now Madeira have opened talks for the Foolad number one and are confident of securing a deal. "The subject is very advanced," said Madeira president Rui Alves. "We have open contacts with his club and several agents. "The player is disposed to the adventure of Portugal and I believe the Federation of Iran will not create any problems with the permission." http://home.skysports.com/list.asp?...1042&lid=2&title=Iran+number+one+set+for+move
No it's not confirmed at all so don't get your hopes up. I for one will be protesting violently in the corridors of power and on the streets against such a move!
My hopes up? You got it wrong buddy, I don't concider Mirzapour a quality goaly and same view on Portugal league. Thanks.
I would welcome him to the Mexican leagues..they are among the best in the world and they pay well also. Osvaldo Sanchez makes 9 million a year and Fonseca makes 4 million dollars a year. Claudio Lopez the Argentine national who played for Inter-milan and in the Spanish leagues plays in Mexico for a team named America and he makes millions. I have no say..but I wouldn't protest, I would support the idea and wish him the best. Osvaldo is one of the best keepers in the tournament...Mexican primera produces fantastic Goalies. Even the Italian national Camornesi started in Cruz azul a mexican team before going to Italy. There is definatly quality there. Good luck to Iran in the present and future
The European leagues...I don't know about Portugal's superliga because I'm not too famalliar with the leagues..but many leagues can pay over 20 million euros. Look at buffon the Italian keeper...34 million euros...that's amazing. Mexico pays very well...but Europe is ridiculous, it pays the most on the earth
I made an error. Osvaldo does not make 9 million. He makes much less. He gets paid 1.4 million a year. Way less than I said, I just found that out. sorry
maybe he makes 34m in total but not just just out of his salary at juve. the highest paid pros in europe have a salary of around 8m euros paid by the respective clubs. anything else comes from sponsoring contracts.