Coaches:
Iran: Heshamat Mohajerani
Brazil:
The first match of Team Melli under the Iranian coach Heshmant Mohajerani who was the understudy of the Irish Frank O'Farrel in Team Melli for many years. The match was in preparation for Iran’s participation the 1976 Munich Olympic games football tournament and what better opponent than Brazil. Although this was supposed to be a full international, the Brazilians sent their Olympic squad instead. Brazil also qualified for the Munich Olympics football.
The Brazilians quickly got a grip on the game as their youngsters put a good show for the Iranian fans as if to promote the quality of their world renowned Brazilian football. Nice passes, dribbling and trickery was the hallmark of this Brazilian team to the delight of the local crowds in Shiraz.
It did not take the Brazilians long to score to take the lead. 15 minutes passed when ERIVELTO hit the ball from 25 meters out to score for Brazil. The guests continued showing their quality while Iranian players were caught out and had a dreadful start to the game. The midfield marshaled by Ali Parvin was overwhelmed by the Brazilians as Hassan Nazari playing as a defensive midfielder for the first time, was caught out of position several times. Alireza Azizi of the left flank did not tick either.
As skilled as the Brazilians were , this particular team showed the customary weakness of its football, the defense. From the first few offensive moves by Iran, the Brazilian hesitant defense was apparent and it was there for the taking.
Despite the modest showing by the defenders and midfield players, Iran’s offensive line consisting of Rowshan , Nooraei and Khorsheedi were giving the Brazilians a run for their money.
In particular , Hassan Rowshan on the right flank was giving the Brazilian defenders a horrid time. His individual skills and dribbling lead to several scoring oppertunities for Team Melli. In the 25th minute , he dribbled passed his markers and came close to the goal. His powerful shot was parried by the Brazilian Keeper for Azizi to score the rebound. It was 1-1 and all square.
Two minutes later, the unstoppable Rowshan repeated the same move and this time the ball dropped in for Nasser Nooraei , the debutant Homa Club forward, to slot past a defender and send the ball into the goal. Iran, which was outplayed in the first 20 minutes of the match, was unexpectedly leading 2-1 to leave the Brazilians astounded.
The guests vigorously looked for the equalizer and just before half time whistle, they achieved it. Hossein Rafghfar, deputizing for Nasser Hejazi in goal, did well to deflect a shot from the Brazilian forward, however the ball reached ALBERTO, who cleverly curled the rebound past the hapless keeper to score the equalizer.
The entertaining first half finished 2-2.
Team Melli started the 2nd half much better than the first. Their confidence was high as they challenged the Brazilians in every department. The Iranian defense was much tighter to the extent that Raghfar was having a quiet time in goal. The midfield was reshuffled with Parviz Ghleechkhani playing in the center flanked by Nayeb-Agha and Zolfagharnasab. This formation was good enough to prevent the Brazilians to control the field by hassling them for every ball while employing some clever passing of their own to support the forwards. Why Brazil was on the offensive, the Iranian defense started deep in the field hence not allowing the Brazilian the freedom they enjoyed in the first half.
Iran’s forward were still creating good chances, one that fell to Khorsheedi and the second to Nooraei could have changed the score line. Garnik Shahbandari’s , a substitute player for Khorsheedi , continued the fine display on the left flank, with a clever shot that was cleared right on the goal line by the Brazilian defender.
It was a satisfactory result for Iran. The new coach began in a positive note as his players, despite the initial poor showing, played a beautifully balanced game against a skillful Brazilian side.
Man of the Match: Hassan Rowshan |