Tag: Iran

Group ‘F’ analysis by FIFA

fifa.com

Group F will feature one match that has become something of a classic fixture of and five that have never been played on the big stage before, part of the reason for which is because Bosnia-Herzegovina are making their first appearance at the FIFA World Cup™, while Iran have only ever faced their group rivals in friendlies.

As for Argentina and Nigeria, the other two combatants in the group, there is not much they do not know about each other. Their meeting next June will be the latest instalment in an exciting rivalry between the two sides, led by Lionel Messi and John Obi Mikel, who have faced off three times in major competitions at different age levels: the final of the FIFA U-20 World Cup Netherlands 2005, the gold medal match at the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament Beijing 2008 and in the group phase at South Africa 2010. On all three occasions Argentina won.

The teams
There is not much that has not already been said about two-time world champions Argentina or for that matter about Messi, who will renew his bid to lift the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy. Alejandro Sabella’s men are the favourites to top a group in which reigning African champions Nigeria will be aiming to make the experience they have acquired on their four previous appearances count. Meanwhile, Bosnia will be out to replicate the entertaining brand of football that made them the fourth-highest scorers in the European qualifiers, and Iran, coached by Portugal’s Carlos Queiroz will hope to combine solid organisation with the technical attributes they have long been known for.

Players to watch
Lionel Messi, (ARG), Sergio Aguero (ARG), Gonzalo Higuain (ARG), John Obi Mikel (NGA), Victor Moses (NGA), Victor Obinna (NGA), Edin Dzeko (BIH), Vedad Ibisevic (BIH), Miralem Pjanic (BIH), Reza Ghoochannejhad (IRN), Javad Nekounam (IRN), Karim Ansari (IRN).

The crunch match
Bosnia-Nigeria: in a section that most people will expect Argentina to win, games such as this one will be crucial in deciding who goes through to the last 16. The European side will have the challenge of performing in circumstances that will be entirely new to them, while the Nigerians will be eyeing the chance to reach the knockout phase for the first time since France 1998.

A look back
Argentina 2-1 Nigeria, 25 June 1994, Boston
This game, which will forever be remembered as Diego Armando Maradona’s last match for his country, pitted an Argentina side packed with stars such as El Diez, Claudio Caniggia, Fernando Redondo and Gabriel Batistuta against a Nigeria team very much on the up and up and featuring the likes of Rashidi Yekini, Finidi George and Emmanuel Amunike. The Africans took a surprise early lead through Samson Siasia, only for the wily Caniggia to turn the game around with a typically predatory double. The blond-haired striker’s cry of “Diego, Diego”, imploring Maradona to play the pass that would lead to his second goal, is an iconic moment for Argentina fans.

Did you know?
Bosnia-Herzegovina, who played their first official match as an independent national team in November 1995, came close to making their World Cup debut at South Africa 2010 but lost out in the play-offs to Portugal. Twenty-four of their 26 most regularly selected players ply their trade outside the country.

The stat
36 – The number of years since Argentina and Iran met for the first and only time to date. That match, which ended in a 1-1 draw, took place in Madrid on 22 March 1977 and formed part of Real Madrid’s 75th anniversary celebrations. One year later La Albiceleste won their maiden World Cup title on home soil in a competition that marked the Asian side’s world finals debut.

 

 

The tweet

 

En un Mundial ningún partido es fácil pero con esfuerzo y trabajo siempre hay recompensa. Vamos Argentina!!!

 

In a World Cup match is no easy job but there is always effort and reward. Come on Argentina!
Sergio Aguero, Argentina

Belo Horizonte avoids World Cup delays.

BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil (AP) — Belo Horizonte was one of the first Brazilian cities to be ready for the World Cup, avoiding the delays that marked the preparations of nearly all other host cities.

Matches will be played at the renovated Mineirao Stadium, one of Brazil’s most revered football venues. It was inaugurated in December 2012, and was one of the two (along with Fortaleza’s Castelao Stadium) not to miss FIFA’s deadline for the Confederations Cup.

The venue was used in the semifinals of the World Cup warm-up tournament, when Brazil beat Uruguay to stay on track to eventually win the title.

The Mineirao will seat more than 62,000 fans and will host four group matches: Colombia vs. Greece on June 14; Belgium vs. Algeria on June 17; Argentina vs. Iran on June 21; and Costa Rica vs. England on June 24. It will also host a match in the round of 16 on June 28, possibly with Brazil playing, and a semifinal match on July 8.

The southeastern city, which is also home to the training camps of Argentina and Chile, is filled with football tradition, fueled by the rivalry between Cruzeiro and Atletico Mineiro, two of the country’s most successful clubs.

Qatar coach “Iran is quite strong and a team with a global reputation.”


The Algerian coach of Qatar National Football team , Djamel Belmadi said that we have to accept the result of the draw that placed Qatar to face of Iran, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.”

In an interview with Al Kass TV ,  a Qatari sport network broadcasting from Doha,  he added “At this level you should accept the results and the draws. We must be ready for all situations.”

In his assessment of the teams that will compete with Qatar in Group C ,  Belmadi added “The Iranian national team is quite strong and a team with a global reputation beyond the region. UAE team is stubborn and went through an successful evolution recently, while the Bahraini team should always be respected … generally speaking, it will be difficult and a tough group”.

The 38 years old  Belmadi admitted that the national team did not perform well in the West Asia Cup despite winning the title, but said that “we will have enough time to get ready for the competition and to perform up to expectation  in the AFC Asian Cup 2015.”

He continued “We will have a preparatory camp and we have a good opportunity to prepare well. We are entering a different competition in the Asian Cup, unlike West Asian (WAFF) competition. In Australia, we will be facing the best and we must prepare for that and be at our best.”

“Our hopes and our aspirations are legitimate, as we have what it takes at this level of competition.”

“With our resources and standard, it is our legitimate ambitions to go far in the competition and do well but despite this ambition, we also need to remain realistic.”

He continued “We have to aspire to be better and start looking beyond mere participation by challenging the title.”

The Algerian coach of Qatar made a tour of Australia to inspect stadiums and sports facilities in order to familiarize himself with the quality of the facilities, “That tour shall result in a more efficient preparatory program that can enhance our team chances in the tournament and enable us to perform with all of our strength.”

“I have a long list of candidates for the national team. I will choose players from league matches and the Gulf Cup.” With regard to the final list that will be chosen to represent Qatar in the AFC Asian Cup 2015 , Bulmadhi explained “ it is still too early, but initially we will invite players who are already in the current squad.”

He added “There are a lot of players who can be with the team, but in the end there are league matches and the Gulf Cup competition which will allow us to truly appraise the potentials and the level of the players.”

 Djamel Belmadi has been appointed as the head coach of Qatar football Team two weeks ago. He played as a professional in several European clubs including Paris Saint-Germain, Marseille, Cannes, Celta Vigo, Manchester City, before heading to the Persian Gulf to play for Al-Ittihad and Al-Kharitiyath in Qatar. He had a 2 year spell with Southampton in the Championship between 2007–2009 before hanging his boots with Valenciennes.

He is a young coach who started with Kharitiyath and Qatar B team. His selection as a head coach has raised a few eyebrows in Qatar who normally look at high profile experienced coaches. The Qatar FA , like mny of the Arab states of Persian Gulf , are notorious for sacking coaches.

 Djamel Belmad is the 13th coach of Qatar since years 2000 , making it an average of 1 coach every year.

Nigerian Onazi: Eagles Can Go All The Way In Brazil

 

SS Lazio of Italy midfielder Ogenyi Onazi is confident the Super Eagles can go all the way in Brazil at the FIFA World Cup if the players have self belief.Onazi says the Super Eagles must also be totally focussed on the job at hand instead of concentrating on particular teams, warning that all the qualified teams have the chance to win the trophy.

”No matter how small, we have to accept the fact that all the countries who have qualified to play at the World Cup do have some a chance. Football is an interesting and dicey game. We have to go out with the belief that we can do it,” Onazi said in an interview with mtnfootball.

Onazi is however not worried about playing Argentina who have beaten the Super Eagles three times in three clashes and prefers not to think about how the team prepares for the tournament instead of the competition proper.

”We are going to take it one game at a time. For now, we have some preparatory matches to look forward to before the World Cup. When we get to Brazil, we will worry about Iran, Bosnia and Argentina in that order.”

On if he sees the Super Eagles ending their winless streak against Argentina,Onazi says Eagles must not pay too much attention to the game.

”Like I said, we won’t play Argentina until we are done with both Iran and Bosnia. We have to avoid concentrating on one team alone and forget others that we will even face before Argentina. No doubt, Argentina are a big team and they are favourites, but that’s where it ends.”

[divider]

Super Eagles goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama believes that their first two games against Iran and Bosnia-Herzegovina at the 2014 FIFA World Cup would determine how far they would go.

Enyeama who will be making his third appearance at the FIFA World Cup for Nigeria,said that they will not underrate the two teams at the tournament.

Nigeria is in group F and would play their first game against Iran in Curitiba,before subsequent games against Bosnia-Herzegovina,then Argentina.

“Whether Iran, Bosnia and Argentina these are no easy games. All these nations we are facing,are also serious about getting results. But we will see how it goes with the Super Eagles, we will do all our best to progress from the group,” said Enyeama who has this season been the undisputed number one keeper for his clubside,Lille FC.

Enyeama equally noted that he would even want to play against France in the second round of the World Cup.

“I hope of course that we can pass the group stage. And who knows, meet France in the second round,” said Enyeama who was speaking before his side’s trip to AS Monaco

 

AFC U-22 Championship: Group C Preview

 

Published: 12 January 2014

Muscat: Japan coach Makoto Teguramori is banking on his young side developing a winning habit starting at the AFC U-22 Championship with victory in the competition a crucial step on the road to future success.

Boasting a flawless record in qualifying in which Teguramori’s attack-minded Blue Samurai were second highest scorer, the former Vegalta Sendai coach emphasised the significance of the 16-team tournament to his side’s development.

“Since the first day I was nominated for this position, I have always said this tournament was important for the development of our young generation of players,” said Teguramori.

Japan are placed in arguably one of the toughest groups of the tournaments alongside Australia, Iran and Kuwait, with Teguramori’s team beginning their campaign against Iran at the Royal Oman Police Stadium in Group C on Sunday.

“It’s extremely important for my young team to compete against other strong nations,” said Teguramori. “It’s important to win for the team’s attitude to prepare and win. It’s important to get into the experience of winning tournaments.

“As this squad consists of a generation that didn’t play as well at U-19 level, so players want to pay back those emotions from unsuccessful tournaments by showing a fighting spirit in this tournament.”

Teguramori’s opposite number, Iran coach Afazeli Human, was full of admiration for his opponents, highlighting the superior make-up of their side.

“At the moment, the Japan football team has a mixture of individual quality and teamwork. That is the possible way to grow, when you have a mixture,” said Human.

“If you have good individuals not in the team that is a problem. If you have a good team but no top individuals, that’s also a problem. Japan has both great individuals and a great team.”

Human’s team earned their place at the AFC U-22 Championship by winning their qualifying group, and although their squad in Muscat lacks some of the stars that led them to the finals, Iran will have the striking talents of forward Kaveh Rezaei who top-scored for the side during qualification. However, they will have to make do without defender Vahid Esmaeilbeigi and midfielder Morteza Pouraliganji against Japan due to suspension.

“We are here to stay in Oman as long as possible,” added Human. “We will also focus on the quality and mentality of the players – the most important thing in this tournament is to get the last steps for a pro’s life.”

In the opening game of Group C, Australia will take on Kuwait with coach Aurelio Vidmar expecting his Olyroos squad to savour the opportunity of top level international fixtures.

“It’s important to have competitive games, we don’t play enough international football at youth level, so for us this tournament is very important,” said Vidmar.

“We expect tough games and we’re going to be competitive. We’re here to get experience into young bodies and young careers, that’s the most important thing for us. The more games they get the better.

“We haven’t had the opportunities for camps or friendly games throughout the year. It’s not going to be perfect, but if the attitude is right, then we can go a long way.”

Kuwait’s coach Jorvan Vieira concurs with his Australian counterpart that the AFC U-22 Championship provides a good opportunity for competitive matches for his youthful charges.

Vieira has already tasted national team success in an AFC continental competition after guiding Iraq to a famous victory at the 2007 AFC Asian Cup and will be hoping his side that includes two members of his senior side, forward Faisal Al Harbi and defender Fahad Al Hajeri, can get the team off to winning ways in Muscat.

“Our target is the same: provide real experience for the young players,” he said.

“Players only get real experience when they are exposed to, and participate in, matches and according to the results they can get.”

Team Melli on top of Asian Ranking. Iran climbs to No.1

Team Melli climbed 4 places in the November 2013 FIFA/CocaCola World Ranking to overtake Japan as the highest ranking Asian team in the latest FIFA Ranking published today. Iran accumulated 650 points and ranked 45 in the world.

The steady climb in the ranking by Iran is the result of a series of wins in the two official competitions,  FIFA World Cup 2014 and the AFC Asian Cup 2015 qualification rounds. Team Melli was on a terrific run unmatched by any Asian teams and as a result, it has climbed on the top of Asian Ranking, a feat which has not been achieved for many years.

Japan, with 638 points dropped 4 places to 48 while South Korea came in third in Asia with 577 points and 54 in the world ranking. Australia is fourth with 564 points and ranked 59.

Team Melli currently is not scheduled to play any matches until the last game in the AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Kuwait next year.

Currently, there is no news on any friendly matches either.

TM IRAN vs Lebanon in Beirut Nov13

 

Ranking History

Date FIFA Ranking position
November 2013 45
October 2013 49
September 2013 48
August 2013 52
July 2013 52
June 2013 67
May 2013 57
April 2013 56
March 2013 57
February 2013 58
January 2013 60
2012 59
2011 45
2010 66
2009 64
2008 43
2007 41
2006 38
2005 19
2004 20
2003 28
2002 33
2001 29
2000 37
1999 49
1998 27
1997 46
1996 83
1995 108
1994 75
1993 59
Iran average position from FIFA World Ranking creation is 47
Highest FIFA ranking
15 – July 2005
Lowest FIFA Ranking
122 – May 1996
Best Mover
65 – July 1996
Worst mover
-43 – October 1995

Team Melli leading Thailand 2-0

Bangkok.

Two goals from the Iranian legionnaires Ashkan Dejagah and Reza Ghoochannejad sealed a comfortable first half lead for Iran in the match against Thailand in bangkok.

The match was poorly attended by the Thai fans whose team has failed to win any points in its last three matches. Team Melli Broke no sweat in this half with a virtual control of the match. Thailand manged rare attempts on Iran goal which was occupied for the first time by Daniel Davari. On the right back , Steven Beitashour made his first full appearnce replacing the injured Khosraow Heydari.