Tag: Argentina

Héctor Raúl Cúper under FFIRI Radar.

After the failure of Team Melli in reaching the next round of FIFA World Cup 2022 and elimination from the group stages, the bench of Team Melli has been vacant.

With Carlos Queiroz’s failure to achieve anything of significance for Iran, his continuation and extension of the contract to be at the helm of the team for the AFC Asian cup 2023 have been in doubt.

The contract of Portuguese Queiroz has ended and it is unlikely that his contract will be renewed due to the opposition by th executive members of FFIRI despite some attempts to keep Queiroz under the pretext of team Stability.

It is almost certain that the Football Federation will opt for yet another foreign coach as secret negotiations have started with some coaches abroad.. One of these options is Héctor Raúl Cúper the Argentine football manager and former player. Cuper (67 years), has declared that he is not interested in working at the club level and intends to remain focused on coaching national teams. The Arabic-language website Kooora claimed that Cuper has attracted the interest of Iran’s FFIRI and had sent signals to test the waters. Cuper has also received an offer from Ghana. Before leaving Egypt, Uzbekistan, and Congo, Cuper also had a coaching experience at Inter Milan in Italy and Valencia in Spain. The last team under Cooper’s leadership was Congo.

Final standing of the FIFA World Cup 2022 is published.

After the conclusion of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, FIFA published the official ranking of all teams.

The four top-ranking were obvious as a result of the matches played to determine ranking Argentina beat France in a penalty shoot-out after a thrilling 3-3 draw in regulation time. In the third-place match, Croatia beat Morocco 2-1.

The rest of the rankings were based on the total matches of all participating teams. The Netherlands was placed fifth ahead of England at 6th.

Iran, which failed to qualify from the group stages for the third time running under the Portuguese coach, Queiroz  was ranked a disappointing 26th

 

The rest of the rankings were calculated based on the group stages results for the teams that failed to qualify from their groups. Iran lies in 26th place below Saudi Arabia and above Costa Rica. The host nation Qatar was the bottom-ranked team after ending its run with 3 defeats and with just 1 goal scored.

 

The heartbreaking ranking of Team Melli, coached by the perpetual failure Carlos Queiroz, will be reflected in the latest FIFA ranking which will be published shortly. Iran will lose its top Asian ranking which will be claimed by Japan after a long time. As the World Cup points are valuable, it is not expected that Iran will regain its top Asian ranking for a long time to come.

Iran Futsal team to play Argentina in friendlies

The Iranian national futsal team will play two friendly matches against the Argentine national futsal team on July 6th and 8th in Argentina.

The Iranian national futsal team, in preparation for the Asian Cup 2022 and defense of its title, has decided upon these two friendly matches, thus, Vahid Shamsaei’s players will encounter the best preparation possible by playing against a top team in the shape of Argentina.

 

Previously, the national futsal team was scheduled to play against Argentina and Paraguay in a tripartite tournament in July, but with the discretion of the coaching staff of the national futsal team, the match against Paraguay was canceled and instead, it was decided that the two futsal teams of Iran and Argentina would play two friendly matches.  Also, the coaching staff of the national futsal team, headed by Vahid Shamsaei, is looking to hold a friendly match with the national team of Spain or Portugal, both matches are under negotiation.

After the last Futsal World Cup in Lituinaia, The Iranian national futsal team is going through a major transformation in which it saw the change of the Coaching staff with the legendary  Vahid Shamsaei appointed as head coach on 18th May 2022. A horde of new players were picked by the newly formed team while the seniors have either quit or sidelined.

FFIRI negotiates friendlies with Argentina or Brazil.

The Iranian football federation FFIRI Secretary-General Hassan Kamranifar has declared that his federation is actively planning friendly preparatory games for Team Melli ahead of its participation in the FIFA World Cup Qatar, 2022.

Kamranifar said: “As you know, Brazil and Argentina have a postponed match in the World Cup qualifiers which is scheduled to be held in Qatar. We are negotiating with one of these two teams to agree to play an international friendly against them.

The Secretary-General of the Football Federation added: “4 teams out of 6 possible opponents of Team Melli are among the best and are in the top ranks of the FIFA rankings. Both teams are in the middle ranks, we are going to choose teams whose games are close to our opponents. Therefore, we have negotiated with Peru, New Zealand, and several other countries, which we will announce immediately after it is finalized.”

He continued: “Holding friendly games is difficult due to financial issues. One or two teams have requested to play behind closed doors and without television broadcasting, which is still good ”
in discussing the readiness of  Team Melli,  Kamranifar emphasized: “Skocic is also trying on his side to use his contacts to arrange friendly games and we hope this will happen soon so that we can play a friendly match in the first FIFA Day,”

UPCOMING FIFA DAYS 2022

Dates Matches
30 May – 14 June 2022 4
19–27 September 2022 2

Iran’s FIFA Futsal World Cup dream ended by Kazakhstan fightback

Kazakhstan fought back from two goals down to advance to the semi-finals as Iran’s bid to better their third-place finish of five years ago was halted at the Kaunas Arena.

Kazakhstan will face Portugal next while defending champions Argentina will meet five-time winners Brazil in the other last four tie.

Iran dominated possession in the opening minutes but were unable to find any openings against a defensive-minded Kazakhstan side looking to hit on counter-attacks.

Team Melli’s persistence, however, eventually saw them open the scoring in the eighth minute through Moslem Oladghobad, who finished Saeid Ahmad Abbasi’s pass into the area.

Iran survived a scare seconds before the end of the first half when the Video Assistant Referee was called into action for Farhad Tavakoli’s tackle on Taynan in the box, but the referee deemed it a fair challenge as the Central Asians took their two-goal lead into the break.

IR Iran v Kazakhstan-FIFA Futsal World Cup 2021

Kazakhstan came out fighting in the second half and came close in the 23rd minute through Douglas Junior’s cracking strike from distance, but Iran goalkeeper Alireza Samimi pulled off an impressive save to deny the Brazilian-born winger.

Samimi, however, was unable to keep out Dauren Tursagulov’s strike two minutes later with the Iranian defense caught off guard by Junior’s quick through pass.

IR Iran v Kazakhstan-FIFA Futsal World Cup 2021

Buoyed by the goal, Kazakhstan pressed forward and drew level in the 29th minute through Arnold Knaub, who scored off a free-kick which was awarded after Mohammad Shajari’s foul on Higuita.

Taynan then completed Kazakhstan’s amazing comeback when he scored off a corner as Iran’s hopes of making a third FIFA Futsal World Cup semi-final were dashed.

Hassanzadeh: We want to change the way people see Iran.

  • Ali Hassanzadeh is one of the best players in Asian futsal history

  • Lithuania 2021 is his fourth FIFA Futsal World Cup™

  • He’s anxious for Team Melli to receive more recognition

Argentina conceded a solitary goal in their third and final match in Group F of the FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021™, a goal worthy of the big stage. The move that let to it began with a backheel and ended with a stunning lob over a defender and the goalkeeper into the goal, which measures a mere three metres by two, all from fewer than ten yards out. Had it been scored by Falcao, Ricardinho or Ferrao – three of the greats of the game – the whole world would have been talking about it.

The marksman happened to be Ali Asghar Hassanzadeh, who wears the shirt and the captain’s armband of IR Iran, something of which he is no doubt proud, even if it means he enjoys a lower profile than some of the game’s other leading lights. Appearing at his fourth Futsal World Cup, Hassanzadeh has a career record like few others and a talent that puts most of the world’s other futsal players in the shade. “It’s something I talk about a lot with my teammates and they always say to me: ‘If your name was Hassanzadinho, Hassanzadao or something like that, you’d be seen as one of the best players on the planet’,” he joked to FIFA.com. “I honestly don’t see it as all that important, though. The fact that I’m not seen as one of the best isn’t frustrating for me. I just try to focus on my game and to enjoy what I’m doing. That’s enough for me.”

VILNIUS, LITHUANIA - SEPTEMBER 20: Ali Hassan Zadeh of Iran scores their team's first goal during the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2021 group F match between IR Iran and Argentina at Vilnius Arena on September 20, 2021 in Vilnius, Lithuania. (Photo by Alex Caparros - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Yet the question remains: how is it possible that a player who has won four AFC Futsal Championships, as many AFC Player of the Year awards, and who led Iran to third place at Colombia 2016 hardly ever gets a mention when the topic of the best futsal players in the world comes up for discussion? Attempting to answer that question, the winger said: “Asian teams have a technique and tactics all of their own. They play a more organized, team-oriented game that’s probably less entertaining and revolves fewer around star players. That maybe explains why our players get less exposure than the ones who play for the big European and South American teams.”

While the modest Hassanzadeh is not at all put out by the lack of praise for his individual skills, he struggles to comprehend the lack of recognition given to his team. “It’s not very often that we’re named among the favourites or the big guns in world futsal,” lamented Hassanzadeh, a key performer in that run to third at Colombia 2016, the best performance ever by an Asian team in the history of the competition. “That’s why we want to do well in the World Cup. “It shows us where we stand in relation to the other teams and it gives us more visibility than any other tournament. We’re here to change the way people see us, to change people’s opinions of Asian teams and of Iran in particular.”

VILNIUS, LITHUANIA - SEPTEMBER 20: Damian Stazzone of Argentina celebrates with team mates after scoring their team's second goal during the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2021 group F match between IR Iran and Argentina at Vilnius Arena on September 20, 2021 in Vilnius, Lithuania. (Photo by Alexander Scheuber - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Aside from their desire for greater recognition, Team Melli has another source of motivation ahead of their last-16 tie against Uzbekistan: memories of their stoppage-time semi-final defeat to Russia at Colombia 2016. “Most of the players who are here were on the court that day,” said Hassanzadeh. “We talk about it a lot and we remember how painful it was. “We don’t want to go through that again. We’re aiming higher, though we have to be realistic.

The matches are getting tougher and tougher and the teams more and more professional. We know it will be hard, but our goal is to go one step further, to the final.” Though the Iranians just missed out on the showpiece match five years ago, they enjoyed a magnificent run to the last four, knocking out defending champions and tournament favourites Brazil in the Round of 16. It was an unforgettable achievement, made all the more so by the fact it was the last game of the legendary Falcao’s career. “It was a very special moment,” recalled Hassanzadeh, a goalscorer that day. “Nobody thought we could beat Brazil. It was a game of contrasting emotions, though. We had the immense joy of beating the world’s best team, mixed with the immense sadness of knowing we’d never see Falcao again, the most spectacular player the game has ever produced.” If  Iran’s 2016 campaign was memorable for that and other reasons, their 2021 adventure may yet end with World Cup glory and global recognition, all achieved under a captain who is not called Hassanzadao or Hassanzadinho but Ali Hassanzadeh, one of the best players in the world.

BUCARAMANGA, COLOMBIA - SEPTEMBER 21: Falcao #12 of Brazil tries for a bicycle kick as Hamid Ahmadi #5 of Iran during round of 16 match play between Brazil and Iran in the 2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup at Coliseo Bicentenario on September 21, 2016 in Bucaramanga, Colombia. (Photo by Victor Decolongon - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

BUCARAMANGA, COLOMBIA - SEPTEMBER 21: Ali Hassan Zadeh #7 is congratulated by teammate Mohammad Keshavarz #4 after Zadeh tied the game at 3-3 as Falcao #12 of Brazil hangs his head during round of 16 match play in the 2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup at Coliseo Bicentenario on September 21, 2016 in Bucaramanga, Colombia. Brazil and Iran played to a 4-4 draw after full-time. Iran went on to defeat Brazil 3-2 on penalty kicks. (Photo by Victor Decolongon - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Nazem Al-Sharia happy with the performance of Futsal Team Melli.

In a post-match interview, Seyed Mohammad Nazem Al-Sharia, the Head Coach of Futsal Team Melli commented on the loss to Argentine in the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2021 and qualification to the Round of 16 as the second team in Group F,

 “The game against Argentina was a good match for us and one of the reasons was that the sensitivity of the Game and stress level was low as we both have already qualified. In this match, we did not go full throttle as we did not need to. It was important for us that no player gets a card and is none get injured.” Nazem Al-Sharia said.

He continued: “The referee disallowed our equalizing goal. The situation of the match would have seen a different outcome if this goal was allowed. With second place in the group, we now have to meet Uzbekistan. In my opinion, Uzbekistan is no different from Paraguay and is even better than this team.”

“The advantage of meeting Uzbekistan is that it is an Asian team and we know this opponent quite well.”  The head coach of the Iranian national futsal team stressed that his team should not underestimate Uzbekistan, noting that Uzbekistan has made a lot of progress in the last few years and has played 18 very good preparation games before the World Cup. They played against Iran, Venezuela, Argentina, and Portugal and participated in the tournament in Thailand. Uzbekistan even camped in Spain.

” I do not want to under or overestimate this team, but we have to be careful.” Nazim al-Sharia emphasized

in response to the question of what is the strength of the Uzbek team that Iran should pay attention to? “Uzbekistan is a tactical team,” he said. “They also work well on free kicks and even score good goals this way.” Nazim al-Sharia added.

Commenting on the goal by Hassanzadeh against World Champions Argentina, he went on to say ” About that “chip” goal of Hassanzadeh, Asghar is a world-class international player. Those who said that the age of the national team players has increased should also watch this goal. This player has experienced four World Cup tournaments and showed how professional and international he is scoring such a unique goal”

Nazim al-Sharia elaborated on the disallowed goal against Argentina: “This goal was disallowed by the new FIFA rules. Alireza Rafieipour was in the defensive wall of the Argentine team when he hit the ball, and this is a foul in itself. Anyway, we had a plan for this freekick, and the players executed it to perfection, except for the foul.”

About the injury list, Nazim al-Sharia commented on the situation of Hossein Tayebi, Iran star striker, and whether he will be able to play against Uzbekistan or not: “Tayebi will be scanned today to see how the player is doing.”

Iran futsal qualifies despite a narrow loss to defending champions.

Iran National Futsal Team lost against Argentina 2-1 in the final match of Group F of the FIFA futsal World Cup 2021.

Defending champion Argentina heads the group with 9 points with 3 straight wins, while Iran is second with six. Both teams qualify for the next round where Iran is expected to meet continental rivals Uzbekistan,

Iran team played a strong defensive game in the first half and held Argentina 0-0 with the help of some superb saves by Sepeher Mohammadi in goal.

In the second half, a defensive mistake led to Argentina’s first goal, and shortly after that, they scored the second. That was the cue for Iran to change plans and go into the offensive mode. Iran looked like a different team giving the world champion a tough test despite the Argentine solid defense. However, the defensive walls of Argentine were broken by a sublime world Class chip goal from Captain Ali Asghar Hassanzadeh.

Iran continued the offensive and they got the equalizer from a free-kick with another smart play, however, it was ruled out due to an alleged blocking foul. The VAR did not clearly show any sign of a positive foul but in any case, the goal was ruled out. Iran kept the pressure up to the last seconds giving Argentine a real test with some slick moves and passing. The best team in the world, Argentina was pushed to the edge in this showdown for the first time in the Futsal World Cup 2021.

It was not to be as Iran suffered its first defeat narrowly.

The performance of Futsal Team Melli this evening was a huge improvement from the last two matches. Playing such a game, Team Melli must be considered one of the contenders for the cham[pionship.

Mahdi Javid critical of Iran’s futsal show.

Mahdi Javid, one of the key players of Iran’s national futsal team said: “If we play like what we did against the United States in future games, we will be punished.”

Mahdi Javid told ISNA after Iran’s victory against the United States: “Although we won the game, I think we did not see an interesting game from Iran. There is a lot of expectation from the Iranian team, but everyone saw that Serbia was a worthy team and showed in front of Argentina that it is one of the good teams in this championship.”

He added: “In two games, we did not fully show what our futsal is capable of, and if we are to play in the next games with this standard, we will be severely punished and we will not qualify.” Javid emphasized that we should appear better in this competition: we got six points but we did not show real quality. We hope to have a better start to the match against Argentina.

Commenting about whether Iran’s strategy is to be second in the group in order to be on an easier path: “Nobody has talked to us about being second in the group. Our goal is to qualify as a leader or second in the group. We are waiting to see what the strategy of the technical staff is.”

Iran futsal to play USA for a place in the next round.

Vilnius

Iran’s National Futsal team will meet Team USA on Friday evening in matchday two of FIFA Futsal World Cup 2021 hosted by Lithuania. currently . Futsal Team Melli started in a positive note by defeating the Serbian Team 3-2.

Playing in their first FIFA Futsal World Cup since 2008, USA had a return to forget as they went down to an 11-0 defeat, albeit against reigning world champions Argentina. Their pride hurt, the Americans will need to dig deep if they are stay in contention for a place in the last 16 and go some way to matching their run to third place in 1989 and to second place three years later.

Iran are in a very different place after a confidence-boosting win over Serbia. Dominant in the first period, the Iranians clung on in the second. After their third place at Colombia 2016, big things are expected from Iran again. They will start favorites against USA, but will have to make do without the suspended Hamid Ahmadi, with Hossein Tayebi almost certain to miss out too through injury.

A win for Team Melli will ease their mind and go to the last match against World Champions without any due pressure.

Iran and USA met only once befor on in 18th October 2011 in whic Team Melli defeted the American 8-0. There is a good chance to improve this record later on this evening.