Tag: Alireza Haghighi

07/06/2016

Team Melli scores 6 past Kyrgyzstan.

Team Melli cruised to a comfortable 6-0 win against Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday in the friendly International match held at Azadi Stadium in front of 4500 fans.

Iran scored early through Masoud Shojaei’s penalty on the 6^th minute , before Mehdi Taremi made it 2-0 with a double-header , first saved by the keeper while the rebound to Taremi himself was headed home for a goal. Torabi sealed the first half with a brilliant shot from an angle at 29^th minute.

The second half with several changes only came alive late after both teams struggled to find a rhythm due to the many substitutions that seems to disrupt the international friendly games nowadays.

However , as soon as Team Melli settled, the team played with style and finesse resulting in another three goals and many missed ones too. Karim Ansarifard eventually scored after missing many chances in the match in the 68^th minute. Sardar Azmoun who just came in as a substitute for Taremi made it 5-0 with a spectacular ball from immaculate teamwork and finally Ansarifard scored the 6^th after Azmoun’s ball rebounded from the post for Karim to slot in his 2^nd of the match and Iran’s final goal.

This was a good practice match for Team Melli. The opposition was not as strong as hoped however , there were some brilliant teamwork, individual skills and fine ball distribution. Like always there were lessons to be learned from this match. The fact that the forwards were getting offside was quite noticeable. There is some works to be done on that. The player’s ball possession still needs to be looked at. The fact theat Iranian players keep the ball more than the average European professional is evident. This match was an improvement, but Queiroz has not yet managed to improve this to a higher level.

Haghighi in goal, despite not being truly tested in the match, was not convincing. His saves by punching and risky jumps between number of players was a sign of lack of real competition. His clearing of the ball by punching, left a lot to be desired.

The two debutant, Mahini and Tayebi performed played quite well. Both of the player played with confidence and did not look like it was their first international game for their country. Milad Mohammadi was a gem of a player especially when attacking from the flanks. His moves where delightful to watch. Mehdi Torabi , the Gazelle of Iran’s football , did not show his usual runs and skills yet still managed to score a beauty.

13/10/201513/10/2015

Team Melli tie Japan in an entertaining match.

Team Melli tied Japan 1-1 in the friendly international match played at Azadi stadium on Tuesday..

A small crowd of less than 10,000 fans were in the stadium at kick with a slight increased during the first

Iran was the better team in the first half with Ashkan Dejagah bouncing from his quite disappointing performance against Oman to perform splendidly and turn into the pivotal player. Although Team Melli’s defense line was untouched, the line that suffered badly against Oman, this time a solid performance associated with Japanese lethargy in the first half prevented the visitors from creating any single goal scoring chance against Team Melli.

The many offensive attempts by Iran culminated in several scoring chances the best coming to Sardar Azmoun who lost his bearing at the crucial moment. Instead of guiding his ball into the empty net , the Rostov FC forward misfired the other way.

Ghafuri pulled a muscle midway through the half and his replacement Mehdi Torabi made a real impact. Not only did his gazelle like runs troubled the Japanese, his dribbling on the edge of the box in injury time of the first half resulted in a foul by Maya Yoshida and a penalty.

Ashkan Dejagah failed to convert the penalty as japan keeper Shusaku Nishikawa saved Dejagah’s shot, but Mehdi Torabi was on hand to pounce on the rebound and shoot into the net. That late goal ensured Iran leaves the field one goal up on the disappointing Japanese. Neither of Japan’s stars Honda or Shinji Kagawa performed at a level to talk about in this half.

In the second half, the Japanese stunned the hosts with an early goal by Yoshinori Mutō two minutes into the half. The substitutions by Caoch Vahid Halilhodžić ensured a better running and challenging Japanese team. However, even with Japan increasing the tempo and going for the offensive plan, Team Melli was still the more likely to score and better performing of the two teams.

Ashkan Dejagah continued his fine performance, with Vahid Amiri and Mehdi Torabi giving the team pace and penetration control on the flanks, not to mention and exciting flavor.

In minute 70 , a series of good interplay and quick acceleration by Dejagah ended in him shooting from long-range but the shoot was parried by Japan’s Keeper. The lonely front man was Azmoun who could not react quickly enough to convert that ball into the net.

Pouraliganji came close with a header in the 83th minute while the Japanese had their own number of chances but none that seriously worried Alireza Haghighi in Iran’s goal.

Mehdi Torabi and Maya Yoshida were lucky not to get their marching orders in the match. Both carrying a yellow card, committed bookable fouls which the excellent Omani referee elected not to show.

It was an entertaining match as both teams, playing with no real pressure, performed their best. Iran’s performance was encouraging and miles better than the disappointing draw against Oman.

The 1-1 result was a fair reflection of the match.

19/01/2015

Iran shows players red card after selfies with female fans

PUBLISHED: JANUARY 19, 2015 05:39 PM

Iran fans pose for pictures before the start of their Asian Cup Group C match against UAE at the Brisbane Stadium in Brisbane January 19, 2015.

BRISBANE, Jan 19 — Iran’s footballers have been warned they could face punishment if they take “selfie” pictures with female fans who have turned out in large numbers at the Asian Cup.

The head of the Iranian Football Federation’s moral committee said players risked being used as a “political tool” if snapped with women fans.

Women are banned from attending men’s sports events in the Islamic republic but they have flocked to see Iran’s games at the Asian Cup in Australia.

Ali Akbar Mohamedzade, head of the moral committee of the Iranian Football Federation, issued the warning last week as photos of players with women fans circulated on social media.

“National team players should be aware that they won’t be used as a political tool so that those who take pictures with them don’t use these photos against the players,” Iran’s Shahrvand newspaper quoted him as saying.

“So according to this they should not take photos with everyone. If the players don’t respect this, we will be obliged to take action.”

No detail was given on what punishment the players might face. Enthusiastic male and female fans of Iran, many wearing the team shirt, have been a feature of the Asian Cup.

The scenes contrast with the situation in Iran, where women are banned from men’s sports events on moral grounds.

Iran’s Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz has carefully steered clear of any controversy, giving a firm “no comment” when asked about the presence of women fans.

One female fan Tweeted pictures of goalkeeper Ali Reza Haghighi and midfielder Karim Ansari Fard posing with women, while another photo shows a woman holding an Iranian flag inscribed with a marriage proposal to Haghighi.

Three-time champions Iran are already through to the quarter-finals. Their games have been noisily supported with thousands of fans, some banging drums and blowing trumpets.

“We are monitoring what is happening in Australia, we haven’t sent any representative to Australia,” Mohamedzade was quoted as saying. — AFP

11/01/201511/01/2015

Iran vs. Bahrain match reports.

Iran floor Bahrain in Asian Cup thriller
Published: 11 January 2015

Ehsan Hajsafi struck with a sumptuous volley in first-half stoppage time to propel Iran to a 2-0 victory over Bahrain in a tempestuous Asian Cup dust-up today.

Iran, seeking to end a 39-year wait for a fourth title, effectively sealed the points in their Group C opener when Masoud Shojaei added a second in the 71st minute to end Bahrain’s brave resistance in Melbourne.

Asia’s top-ranked side, Iran almost opened the scoring after 20 minutes when the dangerous Ashkan Dejagah forced a smart stop from Sayed Abbas in the Bahrain goal.

But Bahrain had already served notice that they were not about to simply roll over as their bulldozing Nigerian-born striker Jaycee Okwunwanne blazed just wide during the frenetic early skirmishes.
Sayed Shubbar then squandered a golden opportunity by heading over as Bahrain threatened to capitalise on a sluggish start from highly fancied Iran.

However, Hajsafi produced a moment of magic with almost the last kick of the first half, expertly trapping a looping clearance with his left foot before instantaneously smashing it past Abbas with the outside of his right boot from just outside the box.

Reza Ghoochannejhad appeared to be incorrectly flagged for offside for a second time when through on goal shortly after the interval, before Okwunwanne almost emulated Hajsafi with a ferocious drive that Iran goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi did brilliantly to keep out.

Tempers flared when Haghighi barged into Faouzi Aaish, Bahrain’s waspish playermaker with a menacing-looking mohican who was a thorn in Iran’s side the entire game.

But moments later Shojaei popped up to steer a right-foot shot just inside the post from another corner to trigger wild celebrations from a crowd of 17,000 – most noisily supporting Team Melli.

Iran’s Asian Cup drought dates back to 1976, when they won the third of three successive titles.

Earlier, the United Arab Emirates laid down a marker by thrashing Qatar 4-1 to go top of the group on goal difference. – AFP, January 11, 2015.

[divider]

11 January 2015

Match video highlights

Melbourne: Ehsan Hajsafi scored an early contender for goal of the tournament as Iran made the perfect start to their bid to finally land a record-equalling fourth AFC Asian Cup title after posting a hard-fought 2-0 win over Bahrain in Group C on Sunday.

Bahrain had made a lively start to the contest, but after Iran improved as the half progressed, Hajsafi’s eye-catching strike opened the scoring for Team Melli in first half stoppage time.

And with Masoud Shojaei adding a second with 19 minutes remaining, 1968, 1972 and 1976 winners Iran joined the United Arab Emirates at the top of the Group C table after the opening round of fixtures following their earlier 4-1 win over Gulf Cup champions Qatar in Canberra.

Despite Iran’s supporters creating an electric atmosphere at a blustery Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Bahrain enjoyed the best of the early chances as Ismail Abdullatif tested goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi after just six minutes before strike partner Jaycee John acrobatically directed a back post volley wide two minutes later.

And Iran received a huge let off after 16 minutes as Sami Al Husaini’s chipped ball forward found Sayed Dhiya racing into the penalty area, but after beating a static offside trap, the midfielder headed over with only Haghighi to beat.

Iran, though, were presented with a golden opportunity to open the scoring four minutes later as Ashkan Dejagah raced in behind the Bahrain defence only for goalkeeper Sayed Mohamed Jaffar to crucially smoother his attempted chipped effort just outside the six-yard area.

But there was little Jaffar could do in first half stoppage time as Sepahan’s Hajsafi superbly found the top corner from the edge of the penalty area to the delight of the majority of the 18,000 crowd after taking one touch to control the ball after Andranik Teymourian’s corner had been punched clear by the Bahrain goalkeeper.

And Jaffar remained the busier of the two goalkeepers at the start of the second half as the Bahrain custodian gathered Reza Ghoochannejhad’s well-struck dipping shot from the edge of the area at the second time of asking four minutes after the break.

Iran goalkeeper Haghighi, though, had to be on his toes nine minutes later to beat away a rasping effort from Bahrain striker Jaycee John from underneath his crossbar.

But Bahrain’s hopes of a comeback were all put ended as Iran took full advantage with 19 minutes remaining as Teymourian’s corner found its way to Shojaei close to the penalty spot, and the midfielder saw his scuffed effort creep into the bottom corner despite a despairing dive from Jaffar.

30/07/2014

3 Team Melli players among holder of fake certificates.

The name of 21 player has been disclosed by the Football league commission as holding fake certificates of Military End of Service.

A two years mandatory military service is still a requirement for Iranian Males and usually starts after school graduation. Under certain circumstances like illness or complicated family issues, a waiver can be given by the government.

Some time ago, rumors have started that many Iranian players are holding fake “Certificate of End of Service” or “Certificate of Waiver” that is issued by the Military authorities. The strong rumors prompted the Football League to investigate and examine the certificates. It is not clear whether this examination has been applied across the board or only on certain suspects cases.

The Football league, thereafter publicized the name of the 21 players that included current Team Melli players. The FFIRI has limited authority on the subject and does not have any legal power beyond requiring these players to play for teams with a military background.

This is another oddity of Iran’s football, as the players under military service are allowed to play what is theoretically a full professional career, yet also carry out a full time military duty! In reality, famous players, hardly do any Military or community service as dictated by law and instead they play professional football for military teams before being allowed to return to their original clubs.

The identification of Military teams is another subject that it has never been cleared by the lawmakers. Tractorsazi Tabriz, and Malvan Bandar Anzali are considered as military team, although ther association with the armed forces are vaguely defined. Malvan used to be the Navy team but it has been released to the Anzali Duty Free zone for a few years now.

It is not clear whether the Iranian Prosecutor General or the District Attorney of the government will take any action against the violators or persons who issued the fake certificates, a crime punishable by law.

Among the published list, there are 3 current Team Melli players , AliReza Haghighi who played all the 3 matches in the World Cup , Bakhtiar Rahmani and Hossein Mahini

Other Team Melli players are Ali HAMOUDI and Arash AFSHIN.

Two young team players are also included Milad Gharibi and Shahab Karami.

It seems that from the number of players involved from the South , the Master producer of fake documents , doesn’t live far from Ahvaz where he seemed to have done a good business but definitely illegal and fraudulent acts.! Afshin_Arash

28/07/2014

Alireza Haghighi to join FC Penafiel

Reports of Alireza Haghighi joining the Portuguese Second Division FC Penafiel has been circulating in the Iranian media for a few days , but as of writing of this report , there has been no official announcement by the player himself or the club that Iran’s no. 1 goalkeeper in the FIFA World Cup will be joining Penafiel.

A Segunda Liga team , situated in the city of the same name, Futebol Clube Penafiel finished 12^th in the league last season. The club’s website is under maintenance and was not available for confirmation of the deal. However , a fan site mentioned the introduction of the official new kit for the upcoming season as the venue for introduction of Alireza Haghighi top the club.

Apparently , the ex-Persepolis and Ruben Kazan keeper got lost in Portugal and missed the ceremony.

21/06/2014

A great injustice and a greater heart break

A last minute individual piece of brilliance by the greatest football player in the world , Lionel Messi has deprived Iran of a very deserved draw at least. Messi scored in the 90th minute after receiving the ball outside the box with only one player shadowing him from distance , Reza Ghoochannjad and Nekounam further few feet away. Messi , took his time adjusted and shifted sideways then curled a fantastic ball to the far right of Haghighi whose flight was not good enough to stop the ball hitting the net. One moment of defensive lapse against the best player that cost Team Melli dearly.

Close range save by Haghighi against Higuaim.

That was not the full the story. The Serbian referee blatantly , unjustifiably failed to observe a foul by Zabeletta on Ashkan Dejagah in the second half. fear and recrimination has lead this referee to ignore one very obvious penalty call.

Team Melli was unlucky no to score when a right cross from Pooladi found Ghoochannejad who headed straight at Romero in Argentina’s goal , the lose ball was cleared by Argentina defense.

The greatest save of the match and probably the World Cup so far came from a similar side when Heydari crossed for the fast advancing Dejagah , who headed delightful and powerful into the goal, but a magnificent fingertip save denied Iran a well deserved goal.

Then cam the heart break at the end.

The fans should be proud by Team Melli’s performance against one of the strongest teams in the world. It was the combination of injustice by a poor referee and one moment of magic by Messi that denied Iran. There were some unsavory scene at the end of the game when some bench Team Melli players protested against the referee.

21/06/2014

Queiroz uses a robot in Team Melli training.

ISNA reported that Carlos Queiroz has used a novel method to simulate the level of attack that Argentina and in particular Lionel Messi can create on Iran bu using a Robot!

The Robot was shooting powerful balls towards the goalkeepers. Alireza Haghighi was bombard with such shoots during the practice session yesterday. However , it is not clear how Queiroz has simulated the abilities of the wizard Messi to dribble past the defenders.

Team Melli will be playing its crucial match against Argentina today Saturday 21st June 2-14 in Belo Horizente at 13:00 local time (16:00 GMT)

Argentina is leading the table with 3 points followed by Iran and Nigeria each with one.

Bosnia without a point from one defeat against Argentina , will meet Nigeria in the second match of the group later on Saturday.

15/05/201415/05/2014

The dilemma of Iran goalkeeping selection.

The most taxing selection for Carlos Queiroz must be the goalkeeper. Even if Team Melli coach does not admit it in public, the 4 goalkeepers that have accompanied him to Austria training camp are far from optimum in experience, current form , dependability, and/or reliability.

Starting with Sousha Makani , with a grand total of two caps both in meaningless friendly games, Makani has an acute lack of experience at international level. However, Foolad Khuzestan keeper’s eccentric character and temperament can be a serious liability for the team. Only yesterday , Makani conceded two goals in the quarter finals of the AFC League Champion , both of which were due to elementary mistakes that has no place in a stage like the World Cup.

Daniel Davari , is another young goalkeeper who has just been relegated to the second division of the German Bundesliga. The young German/Iranian keeper has 3 caps so far which is paltry for any player to be given a major role in his team in the World Cup. Like Makani , Davari has yet to show a strong performance to ease the worries of the fans. His two soft goal conceded in Azadi against Guinea in Iran’s last friendly international. left the local Iranian fans awe struck as they were under impression that they were witnessing another legend in the class of Nasser Hejazi. Davari’s poor form was again witnessed in the match against Bayer Munich in the Bundesliga, a game which was televised in Iran for the fans to see yet another disappointing performance from the young promising keeper. So , neither the experience , nor his current form gives the fans the confidence in Daniel Davari’s ability to deliver. It will take anything between an insane person or a very brave coach to start with Davari in the goal comes June the 16^th.

Reza Haghighi , is another mysterious selection for Queiroz. A selection that defies the coaches text book.Hardly anyone in Iran can claim that they have seen Haghghi actually play competitive football match for a longtime. He was transferred to Rubin Kazan in the Russiain league in 2012 were he never managed to win a regular place and was a reserve goalkeeper for the whole season. Next season the Russian club loaned him to his original Club Persepolis. Yet again, Haghighi was second fiddle to the superb Brazilin keeper, Nelson. Alireza Haghighi’s frustration with being reserve created a few headaches in the team which forced Ali Daei , Persepolis coach to send him back to Russia. Rubin Kazan already had their quota of goalkeepers for the season so they searched around but could not find him anything better than a loan to a second division Portuguese club Sporting da Covilhã. And wallla, Alireza Haghghi is immediately picked for Team Melli by Queiroz to the astonishment of the critics and the media!.

Neither the form of Haghighi , (admittedly he did play 14 games for his club !) , the method of his selection or his experience at international level (4 caps) , can qualify him for being the regular starter for Team Melli.

That leaves the last one in Rahman Ahmadi. This goalkeeper was always in the fringes of team Melli for years. However, he was sparingly selected but his real break came with Mehdi Rahmati’s un-ceremonial farewell last year. When Queiroz called upon him at a crucial stage of World Cup qualifiers, the Sepahan goalkeeper did not disappoint. He has 10 caps, 8 of it won as recent as 2013-14 season, however he remains undoubtedly the best choice in experience and form. His age and demeanor of being a calm character can also play a vital role in commanding his defense line.

Nonetheless, the no 1 goalkeeper for Sepahan & Team Melli, suddenly found himself on the bench in the last few matches of the season for his club , giving way to the second fiddle an ex-Team Melli keeper Shehab Gordan !

With one experienced goalkeeper, even though he has 10 caps which is meagre at international level, this position is one major headache for Carlos Queiroz. The Portuguese coach has always been a guarded person and a staunch believer in solid defense. Between the woodwork, his options are limited at this stage. Queiroz might rue the fact that he overlooked the most experienced goalkeeper in Iran, Mehdi Rahmati at such crucial stage. Perhaps diplomacy and leniency added to a bit of tolerance and forgiveness would have gone a long way to ease some of the goalkeeping worries for the World Cup.

Only time will tell.