Team Melli squad for the AFC Asian Cup 2019 have been announced. This post is a short review of each player for your reference and information. At the end of the review, a brief statistics is provided . We hope your enjoy the AFC Asian Cup 2019 wishing the best for Team Melli Iran in its quest to lift the title for the fourth time.
GOALKEEPRS
ABEDZADEH, Amir: Still the 2nd choice goalkeeper. Has not managed to get the nod to replace Birnavand. His game time was limited and played in two friendly games. In both of those matches his shot blocking was excellent and promising
Club : C.S. Marítimo
Age: 25
Caps : 2
World Cup :2018
Asian Cup: –
BIRANVAND, Alireza: The No. 1 choice and still the best Keeper in Iran. However, as much as he can be a hero, Biranvand is also famous for blunders and poor judgment on aerial balls. His temperament is also suspect. Conceded many poor goals with Persepolis this season.
Club : Persepolis
Age: 26
Caps : 27
World Cup :2018
Asian Cup: – 2015
NIAZMAND, Payam: New and untested. The only player in the squad who has not played any games for Team Melli. His performance with Sepahan was exceptional and that is reflected in the Esfahani team leading the league.
Club : Sepahan
Age: 23
Caps : 0
World Cup :-
Asian Cup: –
DEFENDERS
CHESHMI, Rouzbeh: Unfortunate injury has side-lined him for some period but he is back and playing quite well. He will have no problem playing in several roles in defense or midfield as a holding midfielder.
Club : Esteghlal
Age: 23
Caps : 25 Goals: 1
World Cup : 2018
Asian Cup: –
GHAFOORI, Vourya : Missed the World Cup, unfairly as some claim, however , he is selected for the AFC squad and can be an asset in defense. Hard tackling and brilliant when ventures forward.
Club : Esteghlal
Age: 31
Caps : 24 Goals: 0
World Cup :
Asian Cup: 2015
HOSSEINI, Majeed: The surprise of the pack. Only 22 years old and still part of the U-23 team. He was picked by Queiroz for the World Cup 2018 and played 2 games. Hosseini did not disappoint. One of the picks for the star of the tournament.
Club : Trabzonspor
Age: 22
Caps : 6 Goals: 0
World Cup : 2018
Asian Cup: –
KANANI-ZADEGAN, Hossein: Although first appeared for Team Melli back in 2015, he was not regularly selected since then. Changed clubs several times but he remains a quality defender with a good heading ability. Expected to be used as reserve.
Club : Machine Sazi Tabriz
Age: 24
Caps : 4 Goals: 0
World Cup : –
Asian Cup: –
MOHAMMADI, Milad: His pace and runs are special. He is also a defender who can score. His work on the flanks will be of a great importance for the forwards. His Achilles heel is the tendency for some mistimed wild tackling .
Club : Akhmat Grozny
Age: 25
Caps : 24 Goals: 0
World Cup : 2018
Asian Cup: –
MONTAZERI, Pejman: Despite the age and lack of pace, which in itself is a risk at this level of football, he will add experience and leadership in the back line. He can be a solid defender commanding the rest of the team.
Club : Esteghlal
Age: 35
Caps : 49 Goals: 1
World Cup : 2018
Asian Cup: 2015
POURALIGANJI, Morteza : A very good defender by all means of the word and a capable header of the ball. He will be the pivotal defender in UAE and can operate as central defender or as half back. Has also played in the central role in midfield.
Club : Eupen
Age: 26
Caps : 31 Goals: 2
World Cup : 2018
Asian Cup: 2015
REZAEIAN, Ramin : A controversial figure and perhaps the weakest link in defense. Nevertheless, he is one of the coach’s favorite players. Despite the lack of a club since the start of the season 2018/19, and no match practice, he was still invited by the Portuguese coach to Team Melli squad!. Recently managed to find a club
Club : Eupen
Age: 26
Caps : 31 Goals: 2
World Cup : 2018
Asian Cup: 2015
MIDFIELD
AMIRI, Vahid : Since joining the Turkish side, Trabzonspor, Amiri had a dip in performance. He is still a skillful and capable player operating on the wings.
Club : Trabzonspor
Age: 30
Caps : 41 Goals: 1
World Cup : 2018
Asian Cup: 2015
DEJAGAH, Ashkan: Another player who has not been at his best since moving to Iran with Tractorsazi. However, he is a good leader in the midfield and has the trust of Queiroz. Fitness and stamina allowing, He will be a fixed player in the lineup.
Club : Tractorsazi
Age: 32
Caps : 51 Goals: 9
World Cup : 2018
Asian Cup: 2015
EBRAHIMI, Omid: One of the best players in the World Cup for Team Melli. He is expected to play the same role in the midfield in the AFC Asian Cup. His running and stamina is exceptional so is his tackling and robbing the ball from the opponents.
Club : Al Ahli
Age: 31
Caps : 38 Goals: 0
World Cup : 2018
Asian Cup: 2015
GHODDOS, Saman: The most gifted of Team Melli players. He was not utilized properly in the world cup playing a peripheral role as a substitute. This player has a lot to offer if Queiroz allows his more playing time. He has speed, individual skills, vision and a ferocious shot. His ball distribution is a delight to watch.
Club : Aimes
Age: 25
Caps : 14 Goals: 1
World Cup : 2018
Asian Cup:
HAJSAFY, Ehsan: The young veteran who will joining the centenary club in the UAE. Hajsafy is only 28 but has already played in 2 FIFA World Cups and 2 AFC Asian Cups. He has 98 caps under his wings scoring 6 goals. He is a multirole player best suited for the flanks as a winger or right back.
Club : Tractorsazi
Age: 28
Caps : 98 Goals: 6
World Cup : 2014-2018
Asian Cup: 2011- 2015
NOORALLAHIE, Ahmad: The new boy of the team. Has been playing exceptionally well for his club Persepolis leading them to the finals of the recent AFC Champions League. Scored a magnificent goal in the semi-finals. A workhorse who has a good vision and runs tirelessly.
Club : Persepolis
Age: 25
Caps : 2 Goals: 0
World Cup : –
Asian Cup: v-
SHOJAEI, Masoud : Aging midfielder and the most experienced of the team members. Has played in 3 World Cups and as many Asian Cup. Still holds a few cards up his sleeve, but it is difficult to see him being a fixed player in this intensive competition.
Club : Tractorsazi
Age: 34
Caps : 81 Goals: 8
World Cup : 2006-2014-2018
Asian Cup: 2007-2011-2015
TORABI, Mehdi: The Gazelle, who has acceleration & pace to beat any opponent. His individual skills and dribbling abilities are excellent. Selected for Team Melli many times but does not seem to be able to force a permanent place in the starting lineup. A quality player and a future star for Team Melli for years to come..
Club : Aimes
Age: 25
Caps : 14 Goals: 1
World Cup : 2018
Asian Cup:
FORWARDS
ANSARIFARD, Karim: Although 28, he is the senior man in the offensive line. His time in Greece was the best of his career, however since the transfer to English Championship side Nottingham Forest , he has not managed to win a place in the line-up spending most of his time on the bench
Club : Notingham Forest
Age: 28
Caps : 71 Goals: 19
World Cup : 2014-2018
Asian Cup: 2007-2011-2015
AZMOUN, Sardar: The disappointment of the World Cup is behind him and so was his short retirement from Team Melli. He remains the top hope for team Melli goals. This prolific scorer and top-notch forwards has exceptional qualities, including heading, dribbling and pace. his records speak volume about the quality of the 23 years old forward.
Club : Ruben Kazan
Age: 23
Caps : 39 Goals: 23
World Cup : 2018
Asian Cup: 2015
JAHANBAKHSH, AliReza: Winning the Dutch League top goal scorer title in an exceptional season for AZ Alkamaar resulted in his transfer to Brighton as the English club’s most expensive player. However, he has not performed as expected and a recent injury has side lined him further. Despite the recent injury , his quality and class should help him through.
Club : Brighton & Hove Albion
Age: 25
Caps : 43 Goals: 5
World Cup : 2014-2018
Asian Cup: 2015
TAREMI, Mehdi: The up and down striker, who could be brilliant on moment and truly profligate the other. Lacks consistency and his conversion ratio of goals from chances in quite poor. Despite playing several matches along Azmoun in a two forward game plan, they did not gel very well.
Club : Al Gharafah
Age: 26
Caps : 34 Goals: 12
World Cup : 2018
Asian Cup: 2015
Statistics:
The average age of Team Melli players in the AFC 2019 is : 27.04 years
The Average games of each player is: 32.6 games
Total goals scored by the 23 player : 96 goals, an average of 4.17 goals per player
14 players out of 23 (61%) have already scored at least 1 goal for team Melli.
17 different clubs have provided player to Team Melli.
51% of players play outside of Iran and 49% in the domestic league
Qatar League has the most Iranian players (3)
Esteghlal Tehran and Tractorsazi Tabriz have the most number of players, 3 each.
Youngest player is Majid Hosseini (23)
Oldest Player is Pejman Montazeri (36)