Match #34 - Iran v. USA

This game has all the ingredients to turn into a WC classic. Can't help but feel that everything will still be on the line at the 90+ minute mark of this game.

 

5 out of Iran's 6 last goals at the WC have been after the 90th minute... and Iran has scored in the 90th+ minute in 4 of our last 5 matches...

btw, does anyone know which team will wear their home kits? I want it to be a repeat of 1998 with Iran in red, but it seems like this time Iran will wear white?

 

No injuries or suspensions on the US side... anything from Iran? Azmoun looked hurt but I'm sure he will be raring to go. Jahanbakhsh is out right?

 

USMNT to wear blue kits in remaining Group B matches against England on Friday and Iran next Tuesday, per a spokesperson.

Only played one match in them: 0-0 draw vs. Saudi Arabia in September. pic.twitter.com/UCWQVpG21d

— Sam Stejskal (@samstejskal) November 24, 2022

 

Iran's Alireza Jahanbakhsh will miss the match due to suspension but based on what has been reported, Iran doesn't have anyone injured to the point they would be doubtful due to injury. Some have knocks but even our goalie, Beiranvand, seems cleared to start.

 

Over their first two games, the following stats understood in context are revealing:

Overall (Game 1 & Game 2)

IRAN: 2GP 1-0-1 3P GF:4 GA: 6 GD: -2
Shots For: 29 (8 + 21) Shots Against: 23 (13 + 10)
Shots Difference: 29-23= +6
Average # of Shots Taken per game: 29/2= 14.5
Average # of Shots Allowed per game: 23/2= 11.5
SOG For: 9 (3 + 6) SOG Against: 10 (7 + 3)
SOG Difference: 9 -10= -1
Average # of SOG Taken per game: 9/2= 4.5
Average # of Shots Allowed per game: 10/2= 5

USA: 2GP 0-2-0 2P GF:1 GA: 1 GD: 0
Shots For: 16 (6 + 10) Shots Against: 15 (7+ 8)
Shots Difference: 16-15= +1
Average # of Shots Taken per game: 16/2= 8
Average # of Shots Allowed per game: 15/2= 7.5
SOG For: 3 (2+1) SOG Against: 6 (3+3)
SOG Difference: 3 - 6= -3
Average # of SOG Taken per game: 9/2= 4.5
Average # of Shots Allowed per game: 10/2= 5

 

Not sure if Beiranvand starting would be good, he already struggles with crosses a bit, with his condition he might misjudge and allow in a goal.

 

I'm undecided myself. I like Beiranvand mostly for his long throws and his experience/leadership qualities. Hosseni, however, has always impressed me at Esteghlal and, now that the stage fright should be gone, in some ways is a better keeper. But for such a big game, my guess is Queiroz will go with experience.

 

Yea despite not being able to be blamed for almost all the England goals, Hosseini looked like a statue on the pitch during the England match, but he seemed normal during the Wales match. However, he still has not been tested so I have no idea how he will react. Ultimately our goalkeeper situation is bad right now, which is rare as usually in the World Cup up to now our keepers have always risen to the occasion.

 

As an Iranian-American, this is an interesting game for me. US struggles against a low block and that's not exactly a secret. This is exactly the type of match that Quieroz likes. He just needs to play for a draw and will likely bunker down. BUT...we didn't bunker against Wales and we got a great result. We bunkered against England and had a very poor performance.

But US has speed that Wales doesn't have so if we try to play against US like we played against Wales, I feel that our lack of pace will eventually expose us.

 

I hope Iran wins, nothing against USA citizens, everything against the Anglos foreign policy (even not liking the Iranian Regime) and even worse the arrogance of the Anglocentric dominated media who dictates who we have to like or not.

Nevertheless I didn't liked that type of Twitter thread Queiroz has done against Klinsmann the other day, first because I don't believe he was talking about Iranian culture, he wanted to mean football culture, and the other thing we know he likes to create a mentality siege, everyone is against us, but he must remember he isn't someone like Mourinho when he was on top (not now).

Everytime Queiroz goes ballistic the results and performances go against him, hopefully I am wrong on this one.

 

Which is ironic, because Berhalter (the USA manager) can use this type of basic motivation tactic and it be more truthful. Everyone seems to be rooting against the USA in this match. I might be in the minority, but I think they are being underestimated. They have a lot of young talent, and will be hungry to make a statement.

 

Make no mistake, for me outside the top European and South American sides they have one of the most interesting combination of young quality players and agressive approach on the pitch, by no any means I would like Portugal to face them, we actually played them in 2002 and 2014 and it was a loss and draw on the last minute.

I actually think they thrive on the "Everyone is against us" mentality, don't think this game will be easier for Iran than the England one, but I would like Iran to win, nothing against the USMNT or the people who live there.

It's that I don't like some things on their foreign policy, only that, and with this don't mix that I am approving the Iranian Regime, not at all, just Iranians have to sort it by themselves and if they want.

 

Forza USA!

 

One very important aspect is that the Iran team is capable of scoring goals. This is something I have not seen from USMNT even through qualifiers. Don’t forget USA came 3rd in concacaf tied on points with Costa Rca, so they should be the underdogs in this match but somehow most pundits and media here are favouring them…

 

As an American-Iranian, this is an extremely emotional game for me. US soccer men's national team has always been in my heart, and I always loved Iran soccer team so much. US is my love. I will be super happy for whoever advances to the next round out of those two teams.

 

This will be fun.

 

Besides the WC Final, the final matches of the group stage are my favorite thing about the tournament. Let's go US!

 

Referee Assignments:

Referee: Antonio Mateu Lahoz (ESP)
Assistant Referee 1: Pau Cebrian Devis (ESP)
Assistant Referee 2: Roberto Diaz Perez del Palomar (ESP)
Fourth Official: Kevin Ortega (PER)
Reserve Assistant Referee: Jesus Sanchez (PER)
Video Assistant Referee: Juan Martinez (ESP)
Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Ricardo de Burgos (ESP)
Offside Video Assistant Referee: Neuza Back (BRA)
Support Video Assistant Referee: Alejandro Hernandez Hernandez (ESP)
Standby Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Bruno Pires (BRA)

Mateu Lahoz did the QAT-SEN game earlier...3 yellow cards each no reds, 8 minutes added time in first half and 7 in the second...

 

Ecuador unlikely to beat Senegal at this point. Netherlands is going to get 3 points against Qatar for sure. This means England will go for the win against Wales in order to avoid Netherlands. It would therefore be unlikely for England to lose against Wales, less than 20% chance of this happening.

So our destiny is virtually in our own hands. We just need a draw or win today and we are through.

 

This will be a very interesting match.

I still remember the 1998 version.

But this one has much higher stakes.

Like somebody said in another thread, matchday 3 is one of the most exciting parts of the WC.

 

Fantastic atmosphere here at the stadium