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H2H: Iran vs. Hong Kong

Team Melli has played the tiny territory of Hong Kong 8 times since 1968. The first match was during the Asian Nations Cup 1968 (Later changed to AFC Asian Cup) in Tehran where Team Melli won its first major international title in May 1968.
All 7 following matches against Hong Kong ended with victory for Iran, for Team Melli to establish a perfect record against the East Asian opposition. It took Hong Kong 53 years to score its solitary goal against Iran in a 3-1 Team Melli win in Bahrain.

Despite the superiority of Team Melli across the history of the two teams’ meetings, Hong Kong has never been an easy opponent for Iran. with the last encounter last January in the AFC Asian Cup ending in a narrow 1-0 victory.

RANKING

TeamFIFA RankingAFC
IRAN202
HONG KONG15731

MATCHES

IDDateMatch TypeScoreResultScorers
551968-05-10Asian Cup2 – 0WBehzadi, Jabbari
20061977-06-19World Cup Qualifier2 – 0WKazerani, Jahani
20131977-11-18World Cup Qualifier3 – 0WJahani(2), Kazerani
20771988-05-27Asian Cup Qualifier2 – 0WMarfavi, Ghayeghran
25542019-09-10World Cup Qualifier2 – 0WAzmoun, Ansarifard
25652021-06-03World Cup Qualifier3 – 1WGholizadeh, Amiri, Ansarifard
25962023-11-16World Cup Qualifier4 – 0WAzmoun(2),Taremi, Rezaeian
25992024-01-19Asian Cup1 – 0WGhaedi
IDDateMatch TypeScoreResultScorers
Matches vs. Hong Kong

SUMMARY TABLE

MPWDLGFGAGDwin%GPM
98001911888.9%2.11

SCORERS TABLE

ScorerNumber of Goals
Ghafour JAHANI3
Sardar AZMOUN3
Hossein KAZERANI2
Karim ANSARIFARD 2
Ali JABBARI1
Ali GHOLIZADEH1
Homayoun BEHZADI1
Mehdi GHAEDI1
Mehdi TAREMI1
Ramin REZAEIAN1
Samad MARFAVI1
Sirous GHAYEGHRAN1
Vahid AMIRI1
Goal scorers vs. Hong Kong

Ghalenoei’s antic continues.

As Team Melli departs for Hong Kong for what can only be considered a formality and practice match, head coach Amir Ghalenoei’s team selection raises significant questions about his motives and judgment.

The exclusion of Ramin Rezaeian, one of the standout performers in Iran’s league with Sepahan this season, is particularly perplexing. To Ghalenoei’s embarrassment, Rezaeian, a versatile player capable of filling multiple roles on the pitch, scored a hat trick in his last match just a day before the squad for Hong Kong was announced. Despite this impressive performance, Ghalenoei did not provide a convincing explanation for Rezaeian’s omission, a pattern observed throughout his tenure with the team.

In contrast, Ghalenoei was more transparent about the exclusion of Hossein Hosseini, citing emotional pressure as a reason for giving Esteghlal’s goalkeeper a break for the Hong Kong match.

While Rezaeian’s exclusion appears to be a poor decision, the inclusion of 35-year-old Shojaa Khalilzadeh is equally questionable. Although Iran is not expected to face a stern challenge from Hong Kong, Khalilzadeh has struggled against tougher opponents and seems unprepared for the upcoming stages of the qualifiers. Even in the domestic league with Tractor, Khalilzadeh’s performances have ranged from poor to average. Ghalenoei’s decision to rely on a slowing central defender, who was outplayed in the semi-finals of the Asian Cup 2023 against Qatar, raises doubts about his strategic planning.

Team Melli’s midfield also appears to lack creativity, command, and control. Saman Ghoddos is probably the only player who has consistently performed well as an attacking midfielder. Ahmad Nourollahi, who has been a close second, finds himself on Ghalenoei’s bad list. Nourollahi, an Al-Wehda player, was excluded from selection due to disciplinary reasons after abandoning the Team Melli camp without permission. While this decision might be justified, it leaves a void in the midfield that will be difficult to fill.

As Ghalenoei continues to navigate his controversial team selections, the fans and media are left questioning whether these decisions will benefit Team Melli in the long run or hinder their progress in crucial stages of the qualifiers.

Team Melli departs for Hong Kong

Team Melli convoy left for Shanghai, China en route to Hong Kong for the return match against Hong Kong in the qualifying stages of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Persepolis player Mehdi Torabi could not accompany the national team despite being invited by the coaching staff due to illness (food poisoning).

Also, Sardar Azmoun and Mehdi Ghaedi have taken direct flights to Hong Kong from Rome and Dubai to join the squad at their destination. Iran’s national team has gained 10 points before the fifth week of Group E of the qualifying round of the FIFA World Cup, like Uzbekistan, so the two teams have secured their early qualification to the next stage. Team Melli will play against Hong Kong on Thursday at 15:30, then return to Tehran to play against Uzbekistan on June 11 at Azadi Stadium.

Amir Ghalenoei: Insights on Iran’s Football Journey

Absentees justifications

Amir Ghalenoei, the head coach of the Iran national football team, recently shared his thoughts on the team’s achievements and upcoming challenges. Speaking on the sidelines of a practice session just before heading to Hong Kong for the match in the qualifying rounds of FIFA World Cup 2026, Ghalenoei highlighted several key points:

  1. Victory Against Turkmenistan: A Milestone
    • The recent match against Turkmenistan held significant importance for Team Melli. Not only did we secure a win in Ashgabat, but it was also the first time they defeated Turkmenistan. This victory ensured our qualification to the next round of the World Cup qualifiers and qualification to the AFC Asian Cup 2027.
    • Despite winning by just one goal, the three points earned were invaluable. Ghalenoei emphasized the team’s resilience and determination.
  2. Leadership in the Group
    • Another noteworthy achievement was becoming the group leader. This position reflects the team’s consistency and performance throughout the qualifying matches.
    • Ghalenoei praised the players’ efforts and teamwork, acknowledging their role in securing this leadership position.
  3. Balancing Experience and Youth
    • The coach discussed the importance of integrating young talents into the national team. Players invited to the previous camp showcased their skills in league matches, providing hope for the team’s future.
    • Ghalenoei emphasized that these young players should learn alongside experienced teammates. Their development will contribute to Iranian football’s growth in the long term.
  4. Seyyed Hossein Hosseini’s Absence
    • Addressing Seyyed Hossein Hosseini’s absence from the current camp, Ghalenoei clarified that the decision was based on various factors.
    • While Hosseini performed well in the recently concluded league, he faced mental challenges after the Esteghlal vs. Peykan match. The coaching staff engaged in discussions with him, considering both physical and mental aspects.
    • Ghalenoei hinted that Hosseini’s situation could be resolved, and he might be invited to the match against Uzbekistan.
  5. Ramin Rezaian’s Prospects
    • Ramin Rezaian, another player under consideration, could feature in the next camp. His potential and performance will be closely monitored.
    • Team Melli’s departure for an away trip without training in Tehran is a rare occurrence. Ghalenoei expressed optimism about the team’s adaptability and the changes they’ve implemented.

In summary, Amir Ghalenoei’s insights provide a glimpse into the team’s dynamics, challenges, and aspirations. As they prepare for future matches, Team Melli aims to maintain their winning streak and continue making strides in international football.

Analysis of Reza Enayati’s Tenure in Iranian Football

Failure stories.

Last year, Iran’s Omid football team faced a significant setback when they were eliminated from the Asian Olympic football competition qualifiers after a surprising defeat against Hong Kong. This loss dashed their hopes of advancing to the next stage of the Olympic qualifiers. The team’s head coach, Reza Enayati, was a controversial choice due to his lack of coaching experience. His appointment came with the backing of several officials, including Team Melli’s head coach, Amir Ghalenoei. Unfortunately, Enayati’s inexperience was glaringly evident both in his squad selection and his management during the qualifiers. Despite having a roster filled with promising young talents, some of whom were already part of Iran’s senior team, Enayati’s tactical shortcomings led to the team’s early exit against a modest Hong Kong side.

The aftermath of this failure was met with widespread disappointment from both the media and fans, who demanded accountability from the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI). However, no significant actions were taken, and the pervasive impunity in Iranian football continued unabated. Surprisingly, despite this major setback, Enayati was soon appointed as the head coach of Peykan Football Club, one of Tehran’s oldest and most prestigious teams. This decision was perplexing, especially given Peykan’s history of developing young players for Iran’s national teams at various levels.

Enayati’s tenure at Peykan proved to be another disastrous chapter in his coaching career. Under his leadership, the team suffered relegation from the Premier League following a 0-2 defeat against Esteghlal in the final week of the season. This relegation marked a significant blow, as Peykan had been a mainstay in the top flight for many years. Tehran’s football scene also took a hit, losing one of its Premier League representatives.

Given these consecutive failures, it raises questions about whether any CEO would be willing to entrust Enayati with a team for the next season. However, it appears that those who supported Enayati’s appointment despite his failure with the Omid team may once again find a new opportunity for him.

Enayati’s situation is emblematic of broader issues within Iranian football, including incompetency, corruption, and nepotism. The rapid progression of former players to coaching roles without adequate training, certification, or experience is a troubling trend. Coaches like Nekounam, Shojaei, and Navidkia are examples of individuals who have been given significant coaching responsibilities without meeting international standards. In contrast, European leagues often require formal coaching certifications and a thorough vetting process before appointments, a practice largely ignored in Iran.

This lack of process and disregard for international coaching standards not only hampers the development of Iranian football but also undermines its credibility on the global stage. For Iranian football to progress, there needs to be a significant overhaul in how coaches are trained, certified, and appointed, ensuring that competence and meritocracy replace the current culture of favoritism and expediency.

Team Melli squad announced.

Team Melli will play Hong Kong on June 6th and four days later, will host Uzbekistan in the final match of the preliminary stage of the World Cup 2026. The matches are insignificant to Team Melli as both Iran and Uzbekistan have qualified for the next stage. The match against the Uzbek will decide who tops the group.

Iran is in Group E of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers along with Uzbekistan, Hong Kong, and Turkmenistan. The names of the players invited to the squad for the two last matches of the group were announced by head coach Amir Ghalenoei as follows:

Goalkeepers:

Alireza Beiranvand, Payam Niazmand, Hossein Pourhamidi

Defenders:

Shoja Khalilzadeh, Hossein Kanaanizadegan, Amin Hizbavi, Aref Gholami, Saleh Hardani, Milad Mohammadi, Abolfazl Jalali, Arya Yousefi

Midfielders:

Omid Nourafkan, Saman Ghoddos, Mohammad Ghorbani, Saeed Mehri, Allhayar Sayyadmanesh, Mehdi Limuchi, Mehdi Torabi, Alireza Jahanbakhsh

Forwards:

Mehdi Taremi, Javad Aghaeipour, Sardar Azmoun, Javad Hossein-Nejad , Shariyar Moghanlou, Mehdi Ghaeydi and Mohammad Reza Azadi.

FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024 Draw

Draw throws up engrossing groupsShare

The six groups for Uzbekistan 2024 were set at the official draw in Samarkand’s resplendent Registan Square.

Group A: Uzbekistan, Netherlands, Paraguay, Costa Rica
Group B: Brazil, Cuba, Croatia, Thailand
Group C: Argentina, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Angola
Group D: Spain, Kazakhstan, New Zealand, Libya
Group E: Portugal, Panama, Tajikistan, Morocco
Group F: Iran, Venezuela, Guatemala, France

Hosts Uzbekistan, Netherlands, Paraguay, and Costa Rica will compete in one of the widest-open groups in FIFA Futsal World Cup™ history, while three reigning continental champions – Portugal, Panama and Morocco – will join Tajikistan in the first round. Title contenders Spain and Kazakhstan will collide in Group D. They have first-timers New Zealand and Libya for company. Record five-time champions Brazil went into a pool with Cuba, Croatia, and fast-emerging Thailand. Afghanistan, who will appear in a FIFA competition for the first time since 1948, will face 2016 champions Argentina, Ukraine, and Angola. Samarkand’s resplendent Registan Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the ancient Silk Road, provided one of the most spectacular settings ever for the draw of a FIFA tournament. It was conducted by FIFA Director of Tournaments Jaime Yarza, with Uzbek football legend Server Djeparov, former Manchester United and France striker Louis Saha and Kike, who inspired Spain to back-to-back FIFA Futsal World Cup crowns, providing assistance.

Brazil and Spain conquered the first seven editions of the FIFA Futsal World Cup between them, five and two times apiece. Thereafter, Argentina and Portugal have etched their names on the trophy. Several emerging powers are threatening to do the same at this year’s finals, which begin on 14 September. Afghanistan, France, New Zealand, and Tajikistan will be making their tournament debuts, while Croatia and the Netherlands return for the first time in almost a quarter-century.

FIFA Futsal Men’s World Ranking

1st – Brazil 2nd – Portugal 3rd – Spain 4th – IR Iran 5th – Argentina 6th – Morocco 8th – Kazakhstan 9th – Thailand 10th – France 11th – Uzbekistan 12th – Ukraine 13th – Paraguay 16th – Croatia 19th – New Zealand 21st – Venezuela 30th – Afghanistan 31st – Costa Rica 34th – Tajikistan 36th – Netherlands 40th – Guatemala 44th – Panama 47th – Angola 50th – Libya 78th – Cuba

Pierre Carlo: The Polish Goalkeeper Who Found a Home in Iran

Among the names of Iran’s Team Melli players, one stands out for fans: Pierre Carlo, also known as Carlos. His story is a fascinating blend of football, migration, and national identity.

A Journey from Poland to Iran

Pierre Carlo was a Polish immigrant who arrived in Iran during World War II. The tumultuous events of that era forced him to seek refuge far from his native Poland. German forces invaded Poland on September 1, 1939, leading to the defeat of the Polish Army. As a result, millions of Poles found themselves under Soviet authority due to territorial changes dictated by the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact.

In 1941, during the Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran, the Soviets agreed to evacuate part of the Polish formation to Iran. Among these non-military refugees was Pierre Carlo, who crossed the Caspian Sea to find safety in Iran.

Settling in Iran

Despite the challenges, Iranians welcomed Polish refugees openly. The Iranian government facilitated their entry and provided provisions. Polish schools, cultural organizations, and businesses were established to create a sense of home for the displaced Poles. Carlo settled in the port city of Pahlevi (now Anzali), which became a major landing point for Polish refugees arriving from the Soviet Union.

From Refuge to Football Stardom

Carlo’s journey took an unexpected turn when he found his way to the famous Tehran club “Docharkhe Savaran” (later known as Taj, currently Esteghlal). On April 6, 1945, he signed an agreement to play for the club, initially as a temporary arrangement. However, Carlo’s brilliance as a goalkeeper soon made him a key player for Taj.

His impact extended beyond club football. In 1947, Carlo changed his nationality and played for Iran’s national team. He became the first foreign player with two distinct stints in Iranian football. His goalkeeping skills earned him honors, including winning the Tehran Club Cup in 1947, 1949, and 1956, as well as the Tehran National Cup in 1351.

Team Melli Appearances

Carlo made two appearances for Iran’s Team Melli, both against Turkey in October 1947. Turkey, a formidable European team, defeated Iran 3-1 in the first match, while the second ended in a 1-1 draw. Unfortunately, the match was abandoned due to excessive rough play and violence by both teams’ players.

Legacy and Final Resting Place

Hossein Sedghiani, a talent scout credited with discovering great players, and Ali Danaei Fard, the first head coach of the former cyclists’ club, had unwavering faith in Carlo’s goalkeeping abilities. After retiring from football and even pursuing an acting career, Pierre Carlo remained in Iran. He passed away in the country and was buried there, alongside many other Polish immigrants. The same land that once offered him refuge became his final resting place.

Pierre Carlo’s story serves as a testament to the power of football to transcend borders and create lasting connections. His legacy lives on as a unique chapter in the rich tapestry of Iranian football history.

FIFA First ever Futsal Ranking

  • Futsal nations around the world ranked globally for the first time
  • Brazil tops both men’s and women’s charts; Portugal and Spain complete top three
  • Rankings will be key reference point for world futsal

FIFA has launched the official FIFA Futsal World Ranking, with powerhouses Brazil the first number-one nation on both the men’s and women’s chart as the rapidly growing sport takes another major step forward.

Iran’s Futsal Team Melli, recently crowned as AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2024 is ranked 4 in the list which will be regularly published, but unlike the FIFA Football Ranking, this will not be monthly!

Although the FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking for football has existed since December 1992, and women’s senior national teams have been officially ranked by FIFA since 2003, that has not previously been the case for futsal. However, the indoor game has enjoyed exponential growth in recent years and this milestone moment represents the natural next step, as well as being the first time that FIFA men’s and women’s rankings have been launched concurrently.

Broadcasts of the FIFA Futsal World Cup™ in Lithuania in 2021 attracted an average of 2.42 million viewers per match, a massive 130 percent increase from the previous edition in 2016. The FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024™, which will be the first FIFA tournament staged in Central Asia, is likely to improve even on those impressive numbers, and a historic first FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup™ will be held in 2025. Against this backdrop, FIFA has rolled out global rankings for its member associations’ women’s and men’s senior futsal national teams in recognition of the dynamic development of and global interest in the sport.

The initial rankings have been based on statistics gathered from over 4,600 FIFA ‘A’ matches. FIFA defines an international ‘A’ match as a match between two FIFA members for which both members field their first representative team (‘A’ team).

The new ranking system will also serve to seed teams for all upcoming editions of the FIFA Futsal World Cup – including during the recently announced draw for the 2024 competition in Uzbekistan. The system will likewise be used for qualification processes and enable comprehensive and consistent data to be gathered to monitor member associations in accordance with the FIFA Regulations Governing International Matches. That will support the prevention of practices that jeopardize the integrity of the sport, such as match manipulation.

In the nine editions of the FIFA Futsal World Cup to date, the inaugural top-ranked men’s side, Brazil, have been crowned champions five times and only failed to finish on the podium once. They are closely followed on the chart by Portugal, who arrive at this year’s FIFA Futsal World Cup as the holders and have won the last two European crowns. Spain, the two-time world (2000 and 2004) and seven-time European champions, are third in the standings.

Brazil’s women’s national team have been just as dominant as their male counterparts, having won all seven of the South American championships that they have contested. Spain and Portugal are again behind them on the women’s ranking, albeit in reverse order: three-time European champions Spain are second, with Portugal – who have finished runners-up to their Iberian rivals in two continental finals – in third.

Fans interested in attending the FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024™ can register to receive ticketing updates here.

Sardar Azmoun’s Future: Roma and Bayer Leverkusen Clash

Sardar Azmoun, Team Melli striker, made a significant move at the beginning of the season by leaving Bayer Leverkusen on a one-season loan contract to continue his football journey in Italy’s Serie A.

Roma secured a one-season contract with Sardar Azmoun, but the situation is far from settled. The Iranian player’s fate hinges on whether the permanent purchase clause will be activated by Roma. If not, he will return to Bayer Leverkusen. Recent meetings between the clubs’ managers have shed light on the financial aspects of this transfer. However, due to Bayer Leverkusen’s high asking price (12.5 million euros) for Azmoun’s departure, Roma’s leadership hesitates to commit to a permanent deal. According to the Italian website “ilromanista,” Sardar Azmoun is likely to part ways with Roma at the end of the season.

Europa League Showdown

The drama continues on the field as Roma and Bayer Leverkusen prepare for the second leg of the Europa League semi-finals. The match is scheduled for Thursday evening, May 9th, at the Bay Arena. In the first leg, held at the “Olympic” Stadium, Bayer Leverkusen secured a convincing 2-0 victory over their hosts.

Roma’s Challenges and Ambitions

Despite the setback in the first leg, Roma remains determined. Manager Daniele Del Rossi’s focus is unwavering as the team aims to overturn the result in Germany. Remy, one of Roma’s key players, regrets missed opportunities from the previous match against Bayer Leverkusen.

As the season unfolds, Roma faces uncertainties regarding their European Champions League qualification. Their performance in Serie A will ultimately determine their fate. Will they secure a spot in the prestigious tournament, or will they face disappointment? Only time will reveal the answer.

As far as Azmoun is concerned, it seems much better for him to return to Germany as a title holder of the Bundesliga while assured of playing in the UEFA Champions League. While his sterling performances at Zenit St. Petersburg and prolific scoring were not repeated with Leverkusen, he was still considered a main player until his long-term layoff due to injury losing his starting place and eventual loan to Jose Mourinho’s Roma.