That English idiom is a classic example which explains a lot about the ills of Iran’s football..

Look very closely at this picture of moments just before Japan opened the scoring against Team Melli in the semi finals of the Asian Cup 2019. 5 players not 1 , 2 or 3 but 5 Iranian players, which is the whole of the defense line plus one are gathered at the corner of the box raising their hands and pleading with the referee to whistle for an imaginary foul!!

Even if there was a  genuine foul , a blatant foul for that, if these players do not realize by now that the action stops only when the referee blows his whistle, frankly speaking , they should not be playing for Iran at this level.

It is very harsh to say that, but unless the truth is told and unless the issues and shortfalls are tackled, Iran will never see another Asian Cup in our life time.

This picture typified the difference between the professional Japanese that have conquered the world with their technology , mind-set , intelligence and work ethics and Iranian who have always been  passionate, forgiving, accommodating  and emotional.

By the time those five Team Melli players realized that the game is alive , Minamino Takumi comfortably controlled the ball and had all the time in the world to adjust his posture , send a perfect cross without any Iranian bothering him for Yuya Osako to head home  (against the uncertain Beiranvand who completely hit an air ball)  and send it into the net.

This goal also exposed Iran’s top keeper weakness which we have already mentioned before (see the article below)

It is a simple act that says volume of the difference in mentalities between the Japanese and it is just on reason why Japan has won 4 Asian cups and perhaps the fifth is on the way.

https://www.teammelli.com/2018/12/27/know-your-team-melli-players/