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Stunning victory for Iran boys against defending champions, Brazil

Iran’s U-17 national team defeated defending champions Brazil 3-2 in Jakarta, Indonesia in the Group C game on Saturday.

Brazil took the lead in the 28th minute from Rayan, while Abolfazl Zamani’s own goal made it 2-0 for the champions just before the halftime whistle.

In the second with two changes in the lineup, Hossein Abdi’boys started strongly and matched the Brazilians every step of the way. Yaghoob Barajeh scored Iran’s first goal from a quick long ball counterattack in the 54th minute. While Brazil were pressing to score their third goal, substitute Kasra Taheri took advantage of a poor ball in the Brazilian box to cleverly score the equalizer.

The winner came from yet another substitute, Esmaeil Gholizadeh, again from a quick counterattack to seal the win for Iran. 10 minutes of injury time was played for the Brazilians to score the equalizer to no avail.

This is arguably Iran’s most glorious win at any world championship. Beating the defending champions and four times winner of the U17 World Cup will be considered a historic achievement that will remain in memory for a long time,

It is also the first shock of the tournament.

In the other group match England, Iran’s next opponent beat New Caledonia 10-0

Why is the insistence on an aging Team Melli ?

When Iran won the Asian Cup 1n 1968, it had a young inexperienced team but with youthful energy and a great fighting spirit in addition to skills required to win the top title in Asia. It was indeed a milestone and a great achievement for such a young team. If you look at the team in 1968, there was only one player who was over 30 years of age, and that was the goalkeeper, Aziz Asli. The average age of the team was 24 years that included stars like Parviz Ghleechkhani (21), Ali Jabbari (20), Gholamhossein Farzami (22) , Homayoun Behzadi (21). The irony is that the two most senior outfield players, Hasan Habibi (29) and Mostafa Arab (26) were not even 30 !

Not only the won their first Asian Cup with an average age of 24, but their international experience was also quite modest too with an average appearance (caps) of 14 matches only.

Today, Team Melli consists of majority of players who are over 30 years, and a coach who does not consider the national team as a place for young Iranian talents. A coach who prefers older, experienced and trusted players to do the job, that they have failed on many occasions several time over.

In fact, Ghalenoei’s team is not radically different from the team that lost 3-0 to Japan in the semi-final of the AFC Asian Cup 2019 under Queiroz. Four years have passed in which Iranian football has failed to produce quality player to replace the older ones. Or is that a fact? No one is talking about a radical overhaul of the team, but a gradual calculated introduction of young players into the senior ranks like other national teams should be the strategy.

There are several problems preventing the implementation of career progression for the massive amount of talented young footballers in Iran.

Since the revolution, Iran has suffered an acute shortage of skilled managers and a major decline in management skills and standards. In addition, complete mentality changes in style and objectives, whereby football and the rest of sports in Iran, are there to serve the purposes and principals of the regimes rather that sporting principles and pride of the nation.

 Managers, coaches, clubs and federation administrators are carefully vetted before taking up their job in this totally government-controlled environment of Iranian sports. Rest assured that Amir Ghalenoei has been filtered and approved by the hierarchy. But how is this related to the youth in Team Melli ?

After the civil unrest following Mahsa Amini’s death while in the custody of the notorious virtue patrols, an arm of Iranian government security apparatus, the main drivers of this civil uprising were the youth. They led the rebellion, openly expressed their anger and defied the archaic authoritarian system which resulted in some of them being executed and thousands other incarcerated. The youth of Iran have this natural rebellion feeling and want to revolt against what they see as injustice, lack of personal freedom and are tired of being imposed upon in every walk of life.  Whenever they can, they display signs of dissent whether in their attire, looks, tattoos or social media expression.

The regime is wary of the youth and their potential for troublemaking. Naturally, Team Melli selectors and especially a pious and conformist coach such as Ghalenoei, will follow the party line by being less inclined to pick younger players. It is certainly not for the lack of quality of younger players.

Team Melli 2022 Team Melli 1968

NamePostAgeCapsNamePostAgeCaps
Alireza BEIRANVANDGoalkeeper3053Aziz ASLIGoalkeeper3123
Majid HOSSEINDefender2619Hasan HABIBIDefender2920
Milad MOHAMMADIDefender2946Jaffar KASHANIDefender233
Morteza POURALIGANJIDefender3047Mehrab SHAHROUKHIDefender2413
Rouzbeh CHESHMIDefender2920Mostafa ARABDefender2627
Sadegh MOHARRAMIDefender2621Ali JABBARIMidfielder2012
Ahmad NOUROLLAHIMidfielder2926Gholamhossein FARZAMIMidfielder227
Ehsan HAJSAFIMidfielder32120Parviz GHLEECHKHANIMidfielder2116
Ali KARIMIMidfielder2814Akbar EFTEKHARIForward2410
AliReza JAHANBAKHSHForward2965Homayoun BEHZADIForward2123
Mehdi TAREMIForward3061Hossein KALANIForward234
Average28.944.72414

Iran U-17 to begin the campaign against Brazil

  • Iran set for fifth appearance at U-17 World Cup
  • They will kick off the campaign against reigning champions Brazil
  • Nation will also face England and New Caledonia in the group stage

Iran have been handed one of the toughest draws possible in the FIFA U-17 World Cup™ group phase, with the nation pitted against the past two winners of the tournament, Brazil and England. They boast impressive pedigree at the competition themselves, however, having made it through to the knockout stage in each of their previous three appearances. Learn more about the Iran team aiming to make their mark in Indonesia below.

IR Iran’s U-17 World Cup Group C fixtures

11 November Brazil v IR Iran, 19.00 local time, Jakarta International Stadium

14 November England v IR Iran, 19.00 local time, Jakarta International Stadium

17 November IR Iran v New Caledonia, 19.00 local time, Si Jalak Harupat Stadium

How they qualified

Iran booked their ticket to Indonesia in a dramatic fashion. Needing to reach the last four of the 2023 AFC U-17 Asian Cup to secure qualification, they edged out Yemen in a quarter-final penalty shootout. Iran was then beaten 3-0 by eventual champions Japan in the semis.

Coach: Hossein Abdi

A former player with Iranian side Persepolis, Abdi went on to join the club’s coaching staff and notably had a spell as assistant to first-team boss – and national team legend – Ali Daei. During his time with the Iran Football Federation, he has also led the country’s U-16 team.

One to watch: Kasra Taheri

An athletic, skillful striker who links play well, Taheri was one of the stars of Iran’s run to the semi-finals of the 2023 AFC U-17 Asian Cup. He started all five of the team’s games at the tournament and scored two goals.

Tournament History

Iran will be participating in the U-17 World Cup for the fifth time. Their best performance was in India in 2017 when they reached the quarter-finals, recording eye-catching victories over Germany and two-time champions Mexico along the way.

Did you know?

Iran is unbeaten in their past nine group matches at the U-17 World Cup (won six, drawn three).

Ghalenoei does not believe Team Melli is old!!

“I don’t believe that the national team is old”, the head coach of Team Melli has said.

“We will probably invite four or five young players for the upcoming camp. We have to build support, the same way we did in 2006 when we formed the “B” national team. We don’t have time right now, but luckily the players are in form and have been playing in competitive conditions. They should be with the national team little by little, and in case of changes, it should be done the right time. Many people say that the national team is old, but I don’t believe so. There is no place for youth in the national team“, he said:

“Ehsan Haj Safi played 90 minutes against Marseille. The coaching staff of his team checked the physical condition of this player and gave him the go ahead for the full 90 minutes. Therefore, we should use these players as much as we can. Such players are ethically and technically approved by us and put in a lot of effort. Rejuvenation does not take place in the national team; this should be carried out at club levels. Sepahan does this, I have to thank their technical staff. We will announce the national team list on Sunday and maybe two lists will be announced.”

Such statements is quite a disappointment for the fans while some might deem it shocking. But from track record, especially when Ghalenoei took Team Melli to the Asian Cup in 2007, he always seemed to be apprehensive in giving playing time to the younger players in his teams. The case of one Javad Kazemian is a testament to Ghalenoei’s reluctance and even phobia of younger players playing in the team at major competitions.

Despite living in denial about Team Melli being old, he will always rely on such an aging team for glory in the upcoming AFC Asian Cup 2023 ignoring the fact that lack of pace, particularly at the back, might come to haunt him in Qatar.

So, young talented Iranians such as Amin Hezbavi, Yasin Salmani, Javad Hosseinnejad, Saman Touranian, Arya Barzegar, Saman Fallah, Mohammadreza Bordbar and Allahyar Sayyadmanesh have to wait for a few years under Ghalenoei for their turn in Team Melli. The current head coach is still thinking of players such as Karim Ansarifard (33 years) and Vahid Amiri (35 years) to join the squad!!

The black sheep of Iran’s football is in trouble again.

Always in the news for some misdemeanor, the central defender of Persepolis and Team Melli hit the headline again when the Disciplinary Committee of FFIRI imposed a heavy financial penalty on the player.

Hossein Kananizadegan’s offense, this time was off the field. The plaintiff, in this case, is Amir Hoshang Saadati, a football agent and broker, who has accused Kananizadegan of holding back his due commissions and violating an agreement that was ratified and registered in the proper channels.

Football Federation Players Status Committee, sentenced Mohammad Hossein Kananizadegan, to pay US$ seventy thousand dollars to Amir Hoshang Saadati based on a brokerage contract between the two parties with some damages for late payment. The Persepolis player has already appealed such a ruling but the Football Federation Players’ Status Committee, rejected the appeal based on documents and evidence presented to it and declared that this decision is final.

This player’s rap sheet has been quite a subject for the media and the fans.

Iran U17 aims to shine at top level.

The young Iranians are looking to shock the football world in Group C of FIFA U-17 World Cup Indonesia 2023™.

In this edition, Iran U-17 will meet to giants of the football worlds Brazil and England in addition to “New Caledonia”. Despite the presence of two football superpowers, Iranian teenagers hope to advance to the next round of this tournament. There is a good chance that out of the 6 groups of this championship four best third teams, will advance to the next round.

Brazil in 2019 and England in 2017 are the two recent champions of this competition. This is Iran’s fifth participation in the U17 World Cup. Iran’s last appearance in this tournament was in 2017 and it managed to advance to the quarter-final stage. In that tournament, Iran was grouped with Germany, Guinea, and Costa Rica and managed to advance to the next stage as the top team with 9 points. In the next stage, Iran U17 defeated the Mexicans 2-1 while in the quarter-final stage, it lost to the strong Spanish team 3-1, which included “Fran Torres”. Players like Allahyar Sayyadmanesh, Mohammad Sharifi, Younes Delfi, Taha Shariati, and Mohammad Reza Ghobishavi were among the Iranian players in that tournament.

In 2013, Iran was in the same group as Argentina, Canada, and Austria and managed to advance to the next round with five points after Argentina as the second team. In the next stage, it lost to Nigeria with a score of 4-1 and was eliminated from the tournament.

In 2011, Iran was in the same group as Colombia, Netherlands, and Gambia and advanced to the next stage with 7 points as the first team, where it lost 2-1 against Uruguay. Kaveh Rezaei and Milad Gharibi were among the Iranian players in that year.

2001 was Iran’s weakest participation in these competitions. Where they were eliminated from the tournament with three defeats in the same group as Costa Rica, Mali, and Paraguay. Now that we have reached the beginning of the 2023 U17 World Cup, Hossein Abdi’s students hope to repeat the brilliance of the junior team in 2019 and, in addition to advancing from the group stage, they can appear brilliant in the next round as well. However, we should not ignore the presence of the two world football superpowers, Brazil and England.

The FIFA U-17 World Cup™ kicks off in Indonesia on Friday 10 November – and the tournament is being streamed live on FIFA+!

Luis Figo, Ronaldinho, Andres Iniesta, Xavi, Neymar, and Victor Osmihen are among the stars who have graced the competition, with this year’s edition again set to showcase some of the game’s most exciting emerging talents.

Iran’s U-17 fixtures

DATE/TIMETEAM ATEAM BVENUE
Sat 11-Nov-2023
19:00		BRAZILIRANJakarta International stadium
Tue 14-Nov-2023
1900		ENGLANDIRANJakarta International stadium
Fri 17-Nov-2023IRANNEW CALEDONIASi Jalak Harupat stadium, Bandung

THE SQUAD

vs Brazil

Azmoun scores his first goal for Roma.

Team Melli center forward, opened his scoring account for his club AS Roma in the Italian league this evening when Roma beat Lecce 2-1 in a thrilling encounter at Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

AS Roma were trailing their guests 0-1 with a goal scored in the 72nd minute from Almqvist. However, two minutes into injury time, a cross from Roma’s Nicola Zalewski found Sardar Azmoun who headed into the net for the equalizer.

Two minutes later, Lukaku scored the winner deep into the injury time to the delight of Roma’s fans and its beleaguered coach Jose Mourinho.

Azmoun, who is been occupying the bench for most of the season, came in as a substitute in the 72nd minute. Mourinho’s first choices forward have always been the Belgian Romelo Lukaku and the Argentine Dybala. Azmoun is number three in the pecking order.

Roma had to drop Azmoun’s name from the European competition squad in order to comply with the foreign player’s quota registration by UEFA. That has taken the chance for Team Melli forward to at least play in the Europa Cup which Roma is involved in.

AS Roma is currently in 8th place in Serie A after 11 games and 11 points behind league leaders Internazionale (Inter Milan)

Ghgalenoei hits out at his critics.

“Enough is enough” bemoaned Team Melli’s head coach, following widespread criticism of Team Melli’s performance under his command.

” We played 5 games, 4 of which were away from home. We won two finals and conceded only one goal, but look how much we were battered. These attacks are reminiscent of 2006. Manchester City, which has not achieved good results in the last 2-3 weeks after winning the English and UEFA Champions League, has not been attacked as much as we have been!” Ghalenoei said of the recent criticisms of his playing tactics, player selections, poor defensive and midfield composition, and finally his high age average team., all of which he labeled as attacks!

In defense of his record, the head coach of Team Melli said ” If you look at the statistics of the games we played against Jordan, they have managed to defeat us in Tehran and we defeated them in their own country, we beat them at home with a of 2 goals difference. Are these criticisms justified? We have a problem and we accept it, no team or player in the world can play 30 games consistently at the same level, and things happen anyway. In that game, the grass was of poor quality and damaged and one or two players made individual mistakes. In the finals, we also beat Uzbekistan and Qatar, which are great teams, and you will definitely see them in the AFC Asian Cup and World Cup qualifiers.”

Ghaleneoi, who has never been too comfortable with criticism and has demanded that for the sake of Team Melli the media and the fans should refrain from mentioning the negatives and instead pray and support the team, continued ” They say that Team Melli is old, but do they produce players at the senior levels? it is the duty of other youth teams to produce the players(…) “

Ghalenoei also lamented the fact that in Iran, greed and jealousy are rampant.

“since 2006, you judged me and did whatever you wanted against me. I was on constant trial. in these 80 days for the sake of the people, support the national team. The way to success is interaction. The difference between other countries and us is that they care about their country and we have love and hate relationship. The pens that were used against me in 2006 were a kind of cruelty. Now they say the same things in a different way” Ghalenoei whined in reference to similar criticism before his departure to Malaysia for the AFC Asian Cup 2007.

It is clear that Ghalenoei is back to his sulking best. He never offered a sensible reason for insisting on selecting the same squad that has failed to achieve any meaningful victory for the best part of a decade now. He had no excuse to have a player like Ansarifard, while Ghaedi, Sayyadmanesh, and many other younger and promising forwards were available. Although he mentioned Japan as an exemplary footballing nation with a long-term plan to produce an abundance of young players, he has yet to explain his clear ignoring of plenty of Omid Team players who deserve trials in Team Melli.

The fear of failure has already put Ghalenoei on the defensive. Ghalenoei like many other Iranian coaches , has yet to learn how to deal with criticism, normally attacking the critics while offering no solid defense for his actions.

Oladghobad wins AFC Futsal Player of the Year 2023

Iran’s Moslem Oladghobad was confirmed as the AFC Futsal Player of the Year after guiding his nation to the Final of the AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ Kuwait 2022, where he was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

The 27-year-old player is currently playing in Spain with Palma in the Primera División de Futsal. He was a member of several major teams in Iran like Giti Pasand, Mes Sungun, and Alvand Crop before moving on to Spain.

In the annual AFC award ceremony for the best of players in several categories, Salem Al Dawsari of Saudi Arabia and Australian icon Samantha Kerr have clinched the prestigious AFC Player of the Year Award in the men’s and women’s categories respectively at the AFC Annual Awards Doha 2023 on Tuesday at the Qatar National Convention Centre’s Al Mayassa Theatre.

Mehdi Taremi was a candidate but fell short of the selection in the AFC Asian International Player of the Year: award which went to Bayern Munich and Korea Republic player, Kim Min-jae.

Iran also had a candidate for the AFC Asian Youth Player of the Year, who was Amin Hezbavi but the award went to the Japanese Kuryu Matsuki .

Two young defenders are to be added to Team Melli’s squad.

After lots of criticism of Amir Ghalenoei for his aging squad, the injury to Morteza Pouralgangi, and his subsequent operation which will put him out of action for six months, forced Ghalenoei to pick a replacement for the defender. The Team Melli head coach finally remembered that the team requires f much-needed youth energy to this geriatric team.

Amin Hezbavi, the Omid and the Qatari Al Sadd defender is now included in the squad. The 20-year-old Khuzestani player (born in Ahvaz) joined Al Sadd club in 2023 and has featured in this team as a fixed player despite his young age. Hizbavi has already scored a stunning header for his club in the Qatar Star League. Hizbavi has played for the Omid team and was one of the stars.

The Other addition is Gol Gohar and Omid Team defender, Saman Fallah. Despite the failure of the team under Reza Enayati, Fallah displayed some impressive football work on the flanks as a winger. The 22-year-old player from Sari is playing his football in Peykan but it is only a matter of time before one of the three big clubs in Iran will lure him, or if he gets the proper advice and opportunity, will head towards professional football in the Persian Gulf states or Europe.

Pouraliganji, who was looking for the third appearance in the AFC Asian Cup with Team Melli, will now be a TV spectator watching Iran matches in Qatar.

The selection of Pouraliganji’s successor in Team Melli has become a subject of many discussions in the last few days. Majid Hosseini, the Kayserispor of Turkey, is mentioned as a candidate. However, Amir Ghalenoei opted to invite Amin Hizbavi and Saman Fallah instead. That is quite a move from the head coach of Team Melli, who disappointed many fans and critics with his last selection for the Jordan 4 side tournament. His selection of Karim Ansarifard was a particularly disappointing and a step backward move for a team that is in dire need of rebuilding and decreasing the average age.

Team Melli will play two matches in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers against Hong Kong and Uzbekistan this year and then head to Doha for the AFC Asian Cup 2023.