It would be quite a rare occasions in Team Melli history if a player starts his career against the same opposition in two consecutive times in competitive matches. Ashkan Dejageh , the German based Iranian player , will achieve such feat if he proves his full fitness to Carlo Queiroz comes Tuesday June , 12th and starts the match against Qatar.
- Dejageh with the media
Ashkan Dejageh made his debut for Team Melli in the match against Qatar in the Round 3 of the Asian zone FIFA world Cup qualifier back in February. His debut was memorable as the Wolfsburg midfielder scored two stunning goals for Team Melli. After that match .
Dejageh has not featured in the Team Melli matches, all of which were friendlies against low ranked teams. He was selected for the match against Uzbekistan in the first of Round 4 matches , but a niggling injury prevented him from making an appearance.
Ashkan Dejajeh was sorely missed in that match as Team Melli played one of its weakest matches for a long time , and thanks to the last minute deep into injury time goal scored by Khalatbari and assisted by Ansarifard , which saved Iran’s blushes.
While most of the team did not click and played with flaws, (the goalkeeper excluded) , it was the midfield where Team Melli suffered most from weaknesses. None of the midfield players managed to play any role in controlling the match and time after time , Nekounam , Teymourian , Jabbari failed to match the Uzbeks speed , stamina and filed control. Team Melli midfield players lacked creativity and failed in dominating.
Team Melli’s Portuguese coach is desperate to arrest the slide in performances which began with the loss against Albania. He knows that two bad games constitute a mini-crisis, especially when the majority expects a full 3 points from the match against Qatar in Azadi. South Korea has already sounded the alarm by defeating Qatar in Doha convincingly and emphatically 4-1.
The Expectations are quite high and Ashkan Dejageh could find himself in the limelight and a crucial figure in the team. A repeat performance against the Qatari’s on Tuesday will be quickly elevate Dejageh status amongst the fans and if he scores , this would be another unique record for a Team Melli player , scoring in first two competitive matches.
While a single player cannot possibly cover all the weaknesses of the team, however Dejageh’s experience, skill and creativity will go a long way in improving the performance and leading the team to all the three points.
Ashkan Dejageh is currently training with the squad in Team Melli camp , but a final verdict on him is not expected until shortly before kick off on Tuesday.