Match Day 2 (pbp) - Morocco v. Iran - St. Petersburg

I understood that reference

 

But Morocco showed almost nothing the entire second half.

Iran somehow come off with a win after playing antifootball. I honestly can't believe it.

 

What a shitty game of antifootball. Congrats Iran.

 

Lesson of the day for North African teams Both lose on exactly the same clueless mistake.

 

Morocco v Iran 0:1 (0:0)
Iran won courtesy of an injury time own goal. Morocco pressed vigorously for almost 90 minutes, won most of the balls, passed around the ball well, but wasn't able to create more than a few clear cut chances. The best shot from Morocco was superbly saved by Iran's goalie, Beiranvand, and for that save alone he would be my MOTM.

Tough luck Morocco. They certainly didn't deserve losing and even a draw would not have really rewarded their hard work. But at this stage, the game is about goals and points. Congratulations to Iran and hope now that the pressure is off of our team, we can play much better.

 

not getting the reference (honestly). Maybe a link??

 

Thank god Iran won. I knew they were going to win if they played their usual game. This game was no different.

People were disrespecting Asian teams especially after Saudi's game like the rest of the teams were a head of AFC teams. Not true at all. Hopefully there's more wins for AFC teams.

Morocco played like sh!t and they were supposedly a head better than Iran before the WC. Nope, absolutely toothless up front, sloppy passing, and so many mistakes.

 

Iranians were more effective on final third. Moroccans dominated the match in all other areas. You don't score and you will be punished, that is how football works.

 

thanks aziz appreciate ya

 

Yep, Iran winning is good for the AFC, especially when Japan, SK and Australia are in pretty tough groups. If Iran can at least make it out of the group stage, the AFC can at least have 1 representative.
One thing about Iran imo is that they have pretty decent squad depth.

 

Will there be riots in Brussels?

 

Congrats to all the passionate Iranian fans in this forum, i couldnt watch the game but as soon as i heard it was 1-0 i thought about all of you guys

 

Definitely. AFC sides need to bring their A games and frustrate those who have discredited them.

 

they played their best. The fact that they didn't score can be attributed to having a bad day, but it always hurts when positive teams lose in such an ugly manner, I'm a strong believer that attitude in football should be rewarded more than it currently is, but... it's football, one of the most unfair (still beautiful, though) sports in the world

 

Congrats to Iran national team and all Iranians. This was our second win in the World Cup history. I am extremely happy and emotional. Again Congrats. Now time to focus on next games.

@ all Moroccans:

Congrats for playing fair and good football. I know how you feel now. Two minutes before we score, I said to myself that goalless draw should be fair and It will not make any Moroccan and Iranian sad. However It was our fate to win this game which does not really mean we are better than you. I love you all Moroccan brothers and wish you the best.

 

Iran played as they had planned out and executed their plays well. With some luck they were able to wrap up 3 points.

Congrats.

 

Tough luck Morocco... I just saw the 2nd half but seemed very unlucky on their part. This result certainly makes the Iran v Spain game I'm going to attend in Kazan next week more interesting

 

I think the pressure is still on, because now the chance to advance is real.

 

Morocco already out too...bad luck for them today.

 

True...Getting points against Portugal and Spain is like impossible...

 

I didn't see it but I missed 20 mins of first half. Some of their key passes were pretty bad especially at the end.
They only looked "good" because Iran let them. Iran was really comfortable without possession and if Morocco tried to be offence, Iran easily dealt with them with their physicality.
That was another decisive thing, Iran was out muscling Morocco with ease, and was winning almost every header that I saw.

 

Why? Morocco performs better against european teams. I'm still hopefull.

 

Morocco is an excellent team, even if they lack quality forwards upfront. Their most impressive quality is their relentless and vigorous pressing. Iran couldn't successfully have a throw-in find our players without the ball being intercepted by the Moroccans, who were running and pressing like crazy. I have seldom if ever seen a side press so vigorously for 90 minutes and earn the ball in so many duels against us, even if on occasion both sides used a bit of hacking and fouls to get their way on these duels.

I still pick Morocco to draw Portugal and I hope they don't let this loss derail their hopes. They are a fine side.