Tag: Amir Ghalenoei

Ghalenoei and fans expectations

The fans must be less than impressed at Team Melli’s performance so far despite the minimalistic wins. The expectations were high, but the delivery has been underwhelming.

There weren’t many cheers at the end of the Kyrgyzstan game on that truly embarrassing and awful pitch of Fooladshar. The 1-0 win against a Kyrgyz team ranked 82 places lower came with a bit of luck too, as Beiranvand managed a fantastic save towards the end. The pitch conditions were a significant factor, making it difficult for both teams to play their best football. The fans, who are used to seeing their team dominate, were left disappointed by the lackluster performance.

Then came the UAE. Team Melli’s win in Al-Ain was not a vintage performance by any stretch of the imagination. However, there were positives and progress. Ghalenoei is slowly realizing that his team has many shortfalls and admitted that this was a lucky escape for his team with the late penalty against Hardani overruled by VAR. Adding to that were the many misses by the profligate Team Melli strikers, which highlighted the need for better finishing and composure in front of goal.

Two games have been played in the third – and decisive – round of FIFA World Cup qualification. So far, it has confirmed the feeling that while Team Melli relies on their legionnaires playing in professional leagues to deliver in the big moments, a team like Japan is a well-oiled winning machine. Ruthless, clinical, and disciplined, Japan hardly relies on one or two individuals. Their team cohesion and tactical discipline are exemplary, setting a benchmark for other Asian teams.

Ghalenoei and Ghoddos on touchline
Soccer Football – AFC Asian Cup – Quarter-Final – Iran v Japan – Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar – February 3, 2024 Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei REUTERS/Thaier Al-Sudani

While Iran has the bragging rights for arguably having the two most lethal forwards of Asia in Azmoun and Taremi, who amassed more than 100 goals between them, regrettably, they were both guilty of not only failing to deliver but also raising questions about their attitudes and commitment. Their performances have been inconsistent, and their body language on the pitch has sometimes suggested a lack of motivation.

This is where Ghalenoei can make a huge difference. Granted that he will never be a Carlos Queiroz, and the culture of Iranians is different than that of Portuguese or European. Ghalenoei, for example, keeps distributing thanks to everybody and anything that moves between earth and sky. Queiroz was aggressive, demanding, and always critical of the same. Two extremes, mind you, that need to be balanced by Ghalenoei. No one is interested in his sermons of thanks and appreciation; the fans expect results and a beautiful game. If players are not delivering, especially the likes of Azmoun, Taremi, Jahanbakhsh, Ghoddos, and Ezatollahi, then the bench is their place.

Of course, it is easier said than done. The Iranian domestic league is simply not producing quality players en masse. The poor league standard, on top of atrocious playing fields and extremely amateurish management and administration, are some of the factors for poor player production. One must sympathize with Ghalenoei in this sense as he can only play with what is available to him, unlike other countries who have no issues with naturalizing the hundreds of available Brazilian and European players for hire, most of whom are second or third-rate players.

The level of expectation of the Iranian fans is high, and they are not to be blamed. Few accept ridicule, and most of the fans understand and appreciate good football when they watch one. Iran has a footballing pedigree. It is ranked among the top 20 in the world. The sport is the most popular in a land where wrestling, martial arts, and weightlifting are the real sports that bring glory to the nation. So yes, the expectations are high, tolerances low, and the patience of fans is wishful thinking.

The hope is with Ghalenoei and his coaching staff to address the various shortcomings with less than a month left for a crucial tie with the Uzbek team. A Team Melli at its near best can beat Uzbekistan at Tashkent. However, what Team Melli will turn up on October 10th? Anything like the two that played against Kyrgyzstan and UAE, then we are in trouble.

The upcoming matches will be a true test of Ghalenoei’s ability to inspire and organize his team under pressure.

Iran’s Head Coach Reflects on Strong Start to World Cup Qualifiers

IThe head coach of the Iranian national football team, Amir Ghalenoei, expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance in the World Cup qualifiers. Following a 1-0 victory against the UAE in the second match of the third qualifying round for the FIFA World Cup 2026, Ghalenoei shared his thoughts in a press conference.

Commendation and Critique

“I must congratulate Mr. Bento for the excellent team he has built. It is one of the best teams the UAE has produced. However, we were almost punished in this game. A match that could have ended with a three or four-goal difference in our favor was nearly a draw. Iran’s goal expectancy was 1.61 to 0.21, but possession was 60 to 40. We played with a plan, identifying and exploiting the UAE’s weaknesses. Despite this, we failed to convert 90% of our opportunities into goals. Football can be unforgiving, but fortunately, we were not punished today. We need to address our issues with poor chance conversion.”

Tactical Insights

Ghalenoei highlighted the tactical approach: “We had two plans. One without a leader to press in their midfield, targeting their number eight player, (Tahnoon Al Zaabi). The other plan involved Sardar, who created many chances that we unfortunately did not capitalize on. We hope that Jahanbakhsh, Ghoddos, and Saeid Ezatollahi will return to form for the next game.”

Fan Support and Criticism

He also acknowledged the fans: “I thank the fans who supported us today. Despite being fewer in number than the local fans, they did not let us down. Criticism is good and leads to improvement, but it should aim to help the team. The previous game was played on an unfavorable field, but today we played on a beautiful pitch. We gained six points and kept a clean sheet, but I expect more from my players.”

Looking Ahead

Regarding the upcoming match against Uzbekistan, Ghalenoei said: “All games in Asia are tough now, with teams becoming more competitive. There was criticism about inviting players like Saeed Ezatollahi, who is recovering from injury, and Jahanbakhsh and Saman Ghoddos, who are without clubs. However, their conditions will improve in the next month. After a short break and monitoring the domestic League and AFC Elite League games, we will discuss the next game plans.”

Pressure and Expectations

When asked about the pressure of qualifying for the World Cup, Ghalenoei responded: “Iran has been an Asian powerhouse for many years, and expectations are high. This pressure motivates us to work harder and make our people happy with good games and results. We aim to improve game by game and advance to the World Cup, with bigger goals in mind.”

Players ratings UAE vs. Iran

Perhaps the performance of Team Melli was not impressive, but compared to the last time out against Kyrgyzstan, it was a positive improvement. Ghalenoei managed to shake the team and it yielded results. Individually, no player made a big impact, while some key players were quite disappointing, some have improved. Declining performance by key players must worry the head coach as he counts on them in crucial moments as they are the ones who can turn the game and results upside down.

Goalkeeper

Alireza Bieranvand – 7.3

The Iranian custodian too didn’t really face many serious challenges, as he was vigilant throughout and made two saves when needed. He also bagged a clean sheet here. He was helped by some lackluster UAE shooting and a strong defense in front of him

Defenders

Saleh Hardani – 6.5

A vital figure in defense for Team Melli, Hardani made three clearances and blocked one shot. He was quite sloppy in possession though, giving it up 16 times during the game. His runs on the flank were missing.

Hossein Kanaani – 7.0

Kanaani was important in circulating the ball from the defense and showed exemplary positional awareness. His partnership with Khalilzadeh was solid and they covered each other very well.

Shoja Khalilzadeh – 7.4

With six clearances, Khalilzadeh demonstrated wonderful reading of the game and won three of his four ground duels too. The center-back’s passing, though, was questionable at times. Despite a lack of pace, he was never caught off-guard behind any of the UAE forwards due to his excellent positioning awareness.

Milad Mohammadi – 6.9

Mohammadi was overwhelmingly involved in defense, making vital clearances to nip UAE’s chances in the bud while also laying one key pass to open up a chance for his side. He tends to drift in and out of the game. He missed a good opportunity to score.

Midfielders

Omid Noorafkan – 6

An average performance from Noorafkan, who offered no great shakes either defensively or while going forward. He does not seem to be comfortable playing a midfield role

Saeid Ezatolahi – 7

Tough in tackles, Ezatolahi was biting at the heels of the UAE forwards, always looking to pluck the ball off them. In fact, he won five of his six ground duels and made two interceptions. His defensive work was good but his long passes forward lacked the accuracy to create any danger for the opposition

Saman Ghoddos – 6

He was rarely involved during the game, completing just 10 passes in 57 minutes while his only effort at goal was off-target too. If that wasn’t enough, Ghoddos was also booked for an ill-timed challenge early into the second half. Way off his normal standard and showing no sign of improvement from the previous match.

Forwards

Alireza Jahanbakhsh – 6

The Iranian ace struggled to win his duels but made some vital interventions defensively throughout the game. He even mustered two shots in the game, one of which was on target. Not effective as expected. He got cautioned for a wild tackle.

Mehdi Ghayedi – 8.1

The 25-year-old winger put Team Melli in front with a clinical finish just moments before half-time. He kept giving his marker a hard time. Before his goa, Ghayedi scored a goal that was disallowed. His shortfall was too much reliance on the referee to whistle for fouls on him! His goal was an excellent piece of skill, persistence, and accuracy. Man-of-the-match for Iran.

Mehdi Taremi – 4.9

An uncharacteristically poor game for Iran’s prolific hitman, who misfired badly. All three of his efforts on the night were off target, missing two big chances too. His miss from a brilliant assist by Azmoun was unforgivable for a player of such stature and playing in Serie A.

Substitutes

Ali Gholizadeh – 6.3

He can be a much more productive player if he concentrates on his game and refrains from playing referee. His dribbling skills are a delight to watch. He replaced Ghayedi just before the hour.

Sardar Azmoun – 5.8

The Iranian Messi had an off day, failing to light up the stadium with his usual attacking brilliance. The highlight of his performance was the accurate weighted pass to set Taremi which yielded nothing due to his partner’s failure to connect properly.

Mohammad Ghorbani – 6

He made sure the UAE don’t find a late equalizer to share the spoils. More playing time has to be given to this player to integrate with the team. Good potential.

Mohammad Karimi – N/A

He came in the dying embers with only a few seconds remaining on the clock.

Head Coach

Amir Ghalenoei – 7.4

He dared to bench Azmoun and that says a lot about his character. His defensive game plan was executed to perfection against a stubborn and determined opposition, however, upfront, his players failed him. Needs to re-think the route one football though. Unlike the Kyrgyz match, his substitution was positively effective.

Team Melli Secures Hard-Fought Victory Against UAE

Match Day 2 of the Third Round of FIFA World Cup Qualification

Team Melli managed a labored win against the UAE in Match Day 2 of the Third Round of FIFA World Cup qualification, with a solitary goal by Mehdi Ghayedi in Al-Ain. Iran and Uzbekistan now head the table of Group One after two rounds and will next meet each other in Tashkent. The top two teams of the group will directly qualify for the Finals of the FIFA World Cup in 2026, hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Ghalenoei’s Tactical Changes

Unsatisfied with the team’s performance against the Kyrgyz Republic, Ghalenoei made several changes to his lineup. Out went Azmoun, Hezbavi, Gholizadeh, and Yousefi, with Kanani, Hardani, Ezatollahi, and Jahanbakhsh filling their places. This brave move by Ghalenoei had an immediate impact on Iran’s game.

Match Dynamics

Despite the UAE taking control of the game with neat passing and ball distribution, Iran’s solid defense, particularly in the center with the duo Khalilzadeh and Kanani, formed a fortress that the UAE players struggled to penetrate. On the other hand, Team Melli wasted many balls and scoring opportunities.

While Team Melli’s overall ball distribution was much better than in the previous game, the final ball was often poor and wasteful. Ghaedi found the net in the 36th minute, but it was ruled offside. However, the Ittihad Kalba winger made no mistake in injury time, stealing the ball from his marker just inside the UAE box and shooting a wicked ball that left UAE keeper Khalid Eisa frozen, watching the ball hit the net.

Second Half Struggles

In the second half, UAE’s pressure increased. Azmoun and Gholizadeh were subbed in to give the forward line some impetus. The impact of the two players was immediate, especially Gholizadeh, who despite his eye-catching moves and dribbles, hurt the team’s chances by crying foul every time the UAE players challenged him. Mehdi Taremi, a supposed world-class player, was guilty of a horrible miss after a glorious pass from Azmoun. Azmoun himself was wasteful during an Iranian counterattack, making the wrong pass to Taremi surrounded by at least two defenders while Gholizadeh on his right, had miles of space and not a single defender near him.. Jahanbakhsh had earlier repeated the same mistake. The final pass and decision-making marred Team Melli’s performance.

Defensive Strengths and Weaknesses

On the positive side, the defensive plan was more effective, although balls directly from Shojaa and Kanani to the forwards were not fruitful, as Iran lacks pace up front. Saed Ezatollahi had a good day for a change, but Ghoddos and Jahanbakhsh still carry many question marks regarding their performance. Both were cautioned in the match. The silliest yellow card for Team Melli was for Beiranvand for time-wasting, which was so obvious that the excellent Korean referee could not ignore it. No sooner had Beiranvand received his yellow card than Milad Mohammadi got his yellow card too for the same offense on a throw-in. Totally unnecessary in such a level of competition.

Late Drama

There was some drama near the end when the referee called a penalty for UAE. allegedly for a handball on Hardani, while he was on the ground. A subsequent VAR check followed, and the referee canceled the kick with no sign of Hardani handling the ball at any stage.

Looking Ahead

With two wins out of two, Team Melli is beaming with confidence and slowly covering the gaps. It was not a polished performance by any means, but an improvement nevertheless. Ghalenoei must continue to refine his tactics and address the team’s weaknesses to ensure success in the upcoming matches.


None.
Starting Line-up
UAE
Khalid Eisa
Khaled Ebraheim
Abdulla Idrees
Khalifa Al Hammadi
Kouame Kouadio
Tahnoon Al Zaabi
Yahia Nader
Abdulla Hamad
Harib Abdalla Suhail
Caio Canedo
Yahya Al Ghassani		Alireza BEIRANVAND
Hossein KANANI-ZADEGAN
Milad MOHAMMADI
Shojaa KHALILZADEH
Saman GHODDOS
Saeid EZATOLAHI
Saleh HARDANI
Omid NOORAFKAN
Mehdi GHAEDI
AliReza JAHANBAKHSH
Mehdi TAREMI
Ghalenoei and Ghoddos on touchline

The Declining Quality of Players in Iran’s Domestic League: Are Selections Truly Based on Merit?

The latest roster for Iran’s national football team, announced for the upcoming FIFA matches against Kyrgyzstan and the UAE, has sparked significant debate. The declining quality of players in the Iranian Premier League has left Team Melli’s coach, Amir Ghalenoei, with difficult choices. While Ghalenoei has made efforts to address fans’ concerns and silence his critics, especially regarding his tendency to select the same veteran players, his latest squad decisions have raised questions about whether the selections are truly merit-based.

The Biggest Challenge

The declining standard of Iran’s league and the failure of the system to produce quality players at age levels and senior level remains the greatest challenge to any selector. Watching a domestic league football in Iran leaves a bad taste for football enthusiasts. Poor tactical and techniques, lack of players’ skills, sub-standard coach, lack of professionalism amongst players and staff, poor status of the pitches and general lack of managerial and organizational management that is rife in Iran, have resulted in poor product that is getting worse over the years. As such, the hands of Team Melli’s coach are tied, but even considering all those negative factors, many believe that Ghalenoei can do much better.

The Controversial Selection Process

Ghalenoei’s player selections have often been met with controversy and inconsistency. What he preaches to the press does not always align with his practices on the field.

Players Who Don’t Deserve Their Spot, while others are ignored.

Critics argue that Ghalenoei has included players who are either not physically ready, out of form, or simply lacking the quality to be part of the national team. While other deserving players are excluded. For instance, the exclusion of Ramin Rezaian, despite his excellent performances for Esteghlal in the new season, is puzzling. Rezaian has scored two goals and provided one assist in the last three weeks, earning praise from critics and fans alike. When questioned, Ghalenoei would likely justify this by citing his new policy of injecting youth and energy into the team, exemplified by the inclusion of 18-year-old goalkeeper Arsha Shakuri.

On the other hand, players like Saeed Saharkhizan and Mohammad Javad Hosseinnejad, who have been performing admirably in the Russian league, were overlooked. Hosseinnejad even scored a brilliant goal last week for his club, yet this wasn’t enough to earn him a place in the national squad.

The Shortage of Quality Players

The lack of high-quality, young players in Iranian football has left Ghalenoei with no choice but to rely on experienced familiar faces. In the midfield, the same regular players have been selected, which is understandable given the circumstances. However, some of these choices are questionable and even indefensible.

Saeid Ezatollahi
Ezatollahi, who plays for Shabab Al-Ahli, hasn’t played a single minute for his club due to recovering from a three-month injury. While Sardar Azmoun, his clubmate, is scoring regularly, Ezatollahi has just resumed serious training and is not yet in form for league competition. Yet, in Ghalenoei’s eyes, a fit but out-of-form player is good enough for selection. Ezatollahi, who has struggled throughout his career, remains a contentious choice, especially when players like Rouzbeh Cheshmi, with a proven track record, are ignored.

Arsha Shakouri
The young goalkeeper Shakouri, despite his potential, has shown inconsistency this season. While he did keep a clean sheet against Zob Ahan, he conceded five goals in the matches against Khyber Khorram Abad and Tractor. Meanwhile, Mohammad Reza Akhbari, who has two clean sheets and former national team experience, was left out of the squad. This raises questions about the criteria used for player selection and whether these decisions are truly data-driven.

Questionable Veteran Selections

The inclusion of Saeed Ezatollahi, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, and Saman Ghoddos in the national team also raises eyebrows. Ezatollahi has not played since June 6 due to injury, while Jahanbakhsh and Ghoddos have struggled in Europe, losing their starting positions and failing to secure contract renewals. Both are now free agents, yet they remain key figures in Ghalenoei’s squad, highlighting the lack of depth in the Iranian domestic league and the challenges facing Team Melli.

Abolfazl Jalali
Jalali, a talented defender, has been selected despite being injured before the start of the season and having minimal playing time. While his quality is undeniable, the timing of his inclusion is questionable.

Ehsan Haj Safi
If Ghalenoei is serious about rejuvenating the team, excluding the captain might make sense. However, Haj Safi remains a regular starter for AEK Athens and continues to perform well. Ignoring him while selecting players like Khalilzadeh, who is 34 years old, seems contradictory.

Shoja’a Khalilzadeh
Khalilzadeh, a long-time national team regular known for his fighting spirit, has been selected again despite his declining pace and temperamental issues. Ghalenoei’s insistence on using the same defensive tactics and personnel, despite the defense being the weakest link, is a point of concern.

Conclusion: A Lack of Insight in Selections?

While a coach can only choose from the best players available, Ghalenoei’s judgment and decision-making continue to be questioned. His criteria for player selection remain an enigma, lacking clear insight and logic.

Ghalenoei invites 26 players for Kyrgyzstan and UAE matches.

With 6 days to go, Amir Ghalenoei finally announced the squad that will face Kyrgyzstan at home and UAE away in the third-round qualifier matches of FIFA World Cup 2026.

The first two matches are significant for Team Melli as a good result will mean they will lead the group from the onset while putting pressure on the two contenders in the group, Qatar and Uzbekistan.

Iran and Uzbekistan have already met in the earlier qualifying stage with neither being able to defeat the other.

Iran is in Group E of the third round 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers along with Uzbekistan, Qatar, Korea Rep, Kyrgyzstan and UAE. The names of the players invited to the squad for the first two matches of the group were announced by head coach Amir Ghalenoei as follows:

Goalkeepers:

Alireza Beiranvand, Payam Niazmand, Hossein Hosseini, Arsha Shakouri

Defenders:

Shoja Khalilzadeh, Hossein Kanaanizadegan, Amin Hizbavi, Ali Nemati, Saleh Hardani, Milad Mohammadi, Abolfazl Jalali, Arya Yousefi

Midfielders:

Saeid Ezatollahi, Omid Nourafkan, Saman Ghoddos, Mohammad Karimi, Mohammad Ghorbani, Allhayar Sayyadmanesh, Ali Gholizadeh, Mehdi Torabi, Alireza Jahanbakhsh

Forwards:

Mehdi Taremi, Javad Aghaeipour, Sardar Azmoun, Shariyar Moghanlou, Mehdi Ghaeydi

Hong Kong billed as ‘more creative’ after boss’ exit as Iran visit for Fifa World Cup qualifier

  • Stand-in coach Wolfgang Luisser vows to tweak formula that worked under Jorn Andersen in qualifiers against Iran and Turkmenistan
Paul McNamara

Paul McNamara

6 Jun 2024

A “more flexible and creative” Hong Kong representative team has been promised by stand-in coach Wolfgang Luisser when the city’s footballers begin the post-Jorn Andersen era against Iran on Thursday.

The World Cup qualifier at Hong Kong Stadium will be the hosts’ first fixture since June 2021 without Andersen in the dugout, with former assistant Luisser stepping in after the Norwegian resigned last week to take charge of mainland Chinese club Yunnan Yukun.

“The biggest game for me as a head coach” was a simple enough assessment for Luisser given his top-level experience amounts to two 2019 matches as caretaker of SCR Altach in his native Austria. But a strong CV includes six years as assistant coach of Austria’s under-21s.

Hongkongers could reimagine what was possible during Andersen’s 2½-year reign, as an aggressive style delivered unprecedented results. While retaining traits that made Hong Kong a more competitive force, Luisser plans to do things his way, starting against Iran then away to Turkmenistan on Tuesday.

Wolfgang Luisser (left) plans to refine Hong Kong’s playing style in his matches in charge. Photo: Edmond So

Hong Kong netted only once in Andersen’s final five games, after 18 goals in the previous seven matches had appeared to draw a line under prolonged scoring issues.

“There will be a small change in our play with the ball,” Luisser said. “We want to give our players more creativity in attack, [and] be more flexible. We will change a little bit on set-pieces, too.

“We don’t want to change too much, because the players know what to do, but [there are] some small adjustments.

“Against the ball, our pressing and high attack will stay the same.”

Luisser said both offensive and defensive set-pieces would be tweaked, with attacking ploys a focus of the team’s final training session at the stadium on Wednesday.

“I cannot go into too much detail, because the opposition are listening,” Luisser said.

The interim boss must do without some key figures for his two games in charge. A number of players are missing while they arrange club contracts for next season, but forward Stefan Pereira put his hand up to play despite originally having no insurance following his release from Southern.

Luisser said: “It was clear he wanted to be part of the squad, with or without [insurance] … the Hong Kong FA gave him insurance for this period.”

A spokesman for the governing body was unable to confirm this was the case. Fifa has been approached for comment.

The Post has been told by a number of sources that X-factor attacker Everton Camargo was excluded after his request to feature only against Iran was refused.

Luisser insisted Camargo was missing for “family reasons”, and offered the same regarding the absent Jacky Leung Nok-hang. Leung, who would be a shoo-in at center-half, has played only twice for Hong Kong since September.

The withdrawals opened the door for Timothy Ma Hei-wai and Anthony Pinto. Ma, 20, was last week crowned Hong Kong young player of the season, along with Eastern teammate Jesse Yu Joy-yin.

The 18-year-old Pinto was selected despite his release from English League One club Bolton Wanderers.

“They bring fresh energy,” Luisser said of the new faces. Hong Kong cannot progress in the World Cup, but Luisser said the team want to “give something back to the fans and finish the qualifiers on a high”.

Anthony Pinto (right) has impressed following his first Hong Kong call-up. Photo: Edmond So

Iran are into the next phase, but coach Amir Ghalenoei said he would field his strongest team for Fifa ranking points and to try to top the group.

When Ghalenoei was asked how his players avoided being distracted by political turmoil at home, Iran media officials stepped in. The team’s translator said: “We are here for football and don’t want to talk about the political things.”

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.

Ghalenoei wants a sharper Iran

the-afc.com

Ashgabat: Amir Ghalenoei is demanding more potency from his Islamic Republic of Iran team despite having secured a spot at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ and reaching Round 3 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers following a 1-0 win over Turkmenistan on Tuesday.
The head coach, who steered Iran to the semi-finals of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, was unhappy at the profligacy that could have been costly for Team Melli.

“Let me congratulate the Turkmenistan team for the good game they played,” said Ghalenoei. “The head coach has a very good team.
 
“We could have won by two or three goals, and of course, in the last minutes, there was a possibility that the game would be tied.”



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Mehdi Ghayedi’s first half stoppage time goal decided the match, as Iran found Turkmenistan harder to crack after having scored five past them last Thursday.  
 
The win put IR Iran on 10 points – the same as Uzbekistan – with both teams assured of a top two finish. 



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Uzbekistan made sure of their spot with a 3-0 win over Hong Kong, China whose head coach Jorn Andersen put the defeat down to the difference in individual quality though the Norwegian still found some silver linings from the performance of his players.
 
“We did very well in the first 15 minutes but then Uzbekistan increased the pressure and created many chances, proving that they are at a high level,” said Andersen. “Although we lost 3-0, I wouldn’t call it a bad result. The level of several strong players in the ranks of our opponent was the reason for the outcome of the match.
 
“True, I was not completely satisfied with the result. We conceded very simple goals. But I can say that the guys tried their best. I thank them for that.”

Evolving Perspectives: Amir Ghalanoei’s Squad Selection and Team Melli’s Future

Amir Ghalanoei, under significant public and media scrutiny, has made a pivotal decision by introducing eight new players to the squad facing Turkmenistan in Azadi, a crucial step in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers. The inclusion of these fresh faces reflects a notable shift in response to public demands for younger talents in Team Melli, along with a strategic move to diversify player selections from various league clubs, breaking the monopoly of the dominant three clubs, ESteghlal, Persepolis, and Sepahan.

Acknowledging the coach’s results-driven approach, it’s evident that Ghalenoei prioritizes experience to secure victories, a sentiment shared by many Iranian coaches. However, this strategy raises concerns about nurturing young talents within Team Melli, a responsibility Ghalenoei emphasizes falls on the shoulders of clubs due to their limited resources and focus on immediate results. Such a situation is tricky, creating a challenging cycle for the national team.

Despite the infusion of new talent, expectations for significant changes in the starting lineup remain low, reflecting Ghaleneoi’s conservative coaching style and reluctance to embrace change or take risks. This conservatism is evident in the retention of senior players like the 36-year-old central defender Shoja’a Khalilzadeh and the persistent presence of underperforming players in key posts like Saeed Ezatollahi highlighting a reluctance to explore alternative options.

In midfield, the absence of versatile midfielder Rouzbeh Chesmi raises eyebrows, given his abilities and impactful contributions to Esteghlal. Chesmi’s wonder goal in the league a few weeks back, would have surely guaranteed him a place in the 29 players list, but it was not to be. Meanwhile, players like Ghoddos and Jahanbaksh, despite club-level challenges, maintain their spots in the starting lineup, showcasing Ghalenoei’s trust in their abilities and potential impact.

Looking ahead to the offensive line, Azmoun and Taremi are expected to lead the charge, despite challenges faced by Azmoun in securing regular playing time. Taremi is experiencing his worst season in |Portugal, but his starting lineup is virtually assured. This reliance on established players underscores the persistent reliance on familiar faces within Team Melli.

While the additions to the roster are promising, doubts linger about Ghalenoei’s commitment to rejuvenating Team Melli, with skeptics suggesting that these changes might be superficial rather than substantive. However, the upcoming match against Turkmenistan presents an opportunity for Team Melli to demonstrate their quality on the field and secure a convincing victory, potentially silencing critics and satisfying fans’ expectations.

In conclusion, Ghalenoei’s squad selection reflects a delicate balance between experience and rejuvenation, highlighting ongoing challenges in nurturing young talents and embracing change within Team Melli. The upcoming match serves as a litmus test for both the coach’s strategic decisions and the team’s performance, offering insights into Team Melli’s trajectory in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers.