Tag: Jabbari

Mehrdad Pooladi , from the EPL to La Liga and now Qatar !

Mehrdad Pooladi was the top Iranian player in the World Cup. This is not just some wise guys opinion, but based on actual data, statistics and figures from each player’s performance that FIFA has introduced. He was solid in left back and was one of the reasons that the defense of Team Melli held tight, until the Bosnia match that is.

 Right after the World Cup conclusion, the rumor mills were talking about the English Premiere league as the next destination of the Persepolis left back. Then there was a mention of La Liga while Osasuna was also cited in the midst of clubs that have been chasing Pooladi. The player himself confirmed to the media that he has two offers from European clubs. He was in the process of choosing the best deal and naming the club soon. Suddenly however, it was the good old Qatar Star League  (QSL) that seems to be the destination of the best Iranian player in the World Cup. We are not sure whether Pooladi has got his bearing right.  

Like nearly half of the starting lineup of Team Melli , Pooladi is heading towards the hot temperatures of Doha to join a Qatari first division club. But unlike Jabbari , Dejagah , Montazeri and  Hosseini who are playing for higher ranked teams and title contenders, Pooladi is joining a newly promoted team , Al Shahania. The modest club has just gained promotion and working on a tight budget, relatively speaking. Al Shahania’s mission for the coming season is to maintain their place in First Division and perhaps cause a few upsets in the cup.

The deal has not been officially announced yet as Pooladi will be flying to Doha on Friday to complete the formalities. Qatar league has yet to start. Meanwhile Persepolis has been complaining about Pooladi’s absence from the squad, but the player said that he is not a Persepolis player anymore,  he is a free agent and out of contract. He does not quite understand why Persepolis is talking about absence.

So, the chapter of the most famous and Marquee players of Team Melli and their transfers to the grand arenas of Europe is just about close. There has been rumors of Karim Ansarifard going to the Spanish league, but frankly we have heard so much of these false grand plans, that we will not dignify the pages of teammelli.com with such stories until it actually happens.

Meanwhile, another Team Melli player Reza Haghighi is still persisting with Persepolis for a release so that he can be close to his Team Melli teammates in Qatar.

Asian Cup legends Parviz GHLEECHKHANI

When it comes to AFC Asian Cup legends, the Iranian Parviz Ghleechkhani has no match in the long history of this competition which started way back in 1956.

Iran first participation was in the 1960 edition where they narrowly missed qualification to the finals in a group that also included Israel , Pakistan and India.

Iran hosted the 1968 championship in Tehran where they first tasted the honor of lifting the Asian Cup. Among the squad , a young 22 years old player by the name of Parviz Ghleechkhani made a strong impression.  The Kian FC midfielder has already represented Iran as a 18 years old player in the football competition of the Olympics Games Tokyo 1964.  Selection of a player as such age to represent Iran in one of the major competitions was unprecedented. Ghleechkhani was a unique talent as he continued his progress in the domestic scene becoming a fixed player for Team Melli.

The historic win by Iran was the beginning of the rise of Persian football power in the continent. Iran’s Captain Hassan Habibi lifted the Cup in full capacity Amjadiea stadium  but very few predicted at the time that Ghleechkhani will repeat this three consecutive times.

Team Melli 1973
Standing L2R: Ghleechkhani, Rashidi , Kargarjam, Haghverdian, Jabbari, Ghurab. Sitting L2R: Kalani, Kashani, Ashtiani , Parvin , Vafakhah

The move that made the biggest difference in Ghleechkhani career was his transfer to Taj Club. Arguably the top club in Tehran and by far the richest in Iran, Ghleechkhani’s career under professional coaching and management took a meteoric rise.  By 1972 , Iran was the defending champion in the AFC Asian Cup held in Bangkok, Thailand. Between the two Asian Cups , Ghleechkhani’s  continued success was evident in another major achievement with his club and a first for Iran’s football. Taj Club, with a youthful, skillful and aspiring squad under a shrewd coaching of the Yugoslav Ryjkov, won Asia’s top club competition. However, Gleechkhani was injured at the time and could not play with the team, nevertheless he was awarded the winner’s medal .

By 1972 Asian Cup , Ghleechkhani  became a household name in Iran. Team Melli squad at the time had an abundance of quality players enriching the squad like Kalani, Behzadi , Habibi , Ali Jabbari and the rest . However, all these stars where at the twilight of their careers. Ghleechkhani , still young, powerful . motivated and skillful complimented  the squad and made the difference. Ghleechkhani  added advantage at this stage of his career was his experience as a utility player who operated in all the three lines, as a defender, midfield player and a forward, whenever required.

For the second consecutive time , Iran won the AFC Asian Cup and successfully defended the title by defeating South Korea  2-1 at extra time. The win was emphatic end to the campaign and the first ever success for an Iranian team away from home. Once again Iran won the with ease playing 5 matches and winning them all with a 12 goal haul and only 2 against. Parviz Ghleechkhani was ever present in all the matches and as expected, he was one of the key players of the team

In 1976 , Iran once again hosted the AFC Asian Cup. Ghleechkhani was now 30 years old, but still a star and key player.  Some of the off field events , including political activities threatened to end his career prematurely, but the powerful man bounced back and was included in the squad for the 1976 AFC Asian Cup.

For the third time , Iran won the title and for the third consecutive time Parviz Ghleechkhani was a champion of Asia. The only match he missed was because the coach decided to field the reserve team against a weak opposition in 1976. Heshmat Mohajerani fielded the reserves team against South Yemen opting to rest the main players and still came out winners 8-0 .

Iran won the final match against Kuwait 1-0 from Ali Parvin’s goal from a free kick.

Gleechkhani was a strong player who excelled in all the three position, Defense, midfield and Attack. However, Parviz real position that would eventually be the hallmark of his career was the midfield position.  His vision, powerful kicks, scoring ability and stamina was ideal for that post. Although fairly short, his aerial skills was remarkable for this utility player.

From 1968 to 1976 , Gleechkhani played in 12 out of 13 matches of Iran’s Team Melli in the AFC Asian Cup. 13 wins out of 13 with 36 goals scored and 8 conceded. Gleechkhani scored 2 goals in the Asian Cup and remains the only Iranian player that has held the Trophy on 3 consecutive occasions.

Iran vs. Israel Asian Cup 1968
Iran vs. Israel Asian Cup 1968

“Querioz will stay until World Cup 2018” claims Kaffashian

The head of Football Federation FFIRI , Ali Kaffashian reveled today that Carlos Queiroz has agreed to extend his contract for another 4 years (Until World Cup 2018 in Russia) pending the resolution of some financial issues.

In a statement to ISNA news agency , Kaffashian said that despite earlier news about Queiroz not staying beyond his contract , the Portuguese coach has verbally agreed the extension. Asked by the reporter what made Querioz change his mind despite some  lucrative offers from Europe and South Africa, Kaffashian said  “Yes, Carlos Queiroz has many concrete offers from Europe and some of them were financially better than ours, but he prefers to work with Iran as he spent enough time here and he is quite familiar with the surrounding (…)”  

Pressed by the reporter on when will Queiroz give a definite answer , Kaffashian said “I personally think that within 20 days , he will give us a definite answer. What is important for us is that Queiroz is interested to continue coaching Team Melli. For us this is quite a good news and I think he will agree to continue with us.”  Kaffashian did not mention if his administration has given Queiroz any deadline for an answer nor did he elaborate if the federation is considering any other candidates if the Portuguese coach decides not to continue.

Queiroz was not available for comment and has been non-committal about his future with Team Melli, although the South Africans have taken it for granted that he will coach them after the World Cup.

Asked about the steps taken by the FFIRI to coordinate with the clubs on Team Melli program and why the supposed liaison and coordination meetings between Team Melli coaches on one side and club coaches on the other , did not materialize?  Kaffashian gave the customary wishful thinking that everyone should work towards the interest of Team Melli while he refrained from giving any reasons for lack of communication between his staff including Queiroz and the clubs! However , he pointed out that Queiroz has already met with Ghalenoei , Esteghlal’s coach.

“What about if the clubs do not agree with the set program of Team Melli because they we not consulted. Are you going to use political pressure by asking the government to pressurize the clubs?”  asked the reporter. The Head of FFIRI responded “I hope the situation does not develop to that extend that we have to exert political pressure on the clubs. I think we can iron out all the issues without any difficulties.” In response , the reporter said that the media have already been reporting that the meeting between Queiroz and Ghalenoei was fruitless and there was two different views with no accord in sight”, Kaffashian refuted that claim and said “In fact , it was a good meeting and both sides agreed on the road plan for Team Melli. The fact that they were introduced to each other and talked was in itself quite significant for us!”

Kaffashian said that Qatar FA has not responded yet on the request for the release of Montazeri and Jabbari for Team Melli camp. Both players will be playing in the Amir Cup during the time Team Melli’s is setting camp. There is no obligation for the clubs to release their players according to FIFA’s rules. Kaffashian said that he is willing to travel to Qatar to negotiate their release or send some one to deputize for him. Kaffashian did not say what tools he will use to convince the Qatari teams to release their Iranian players while actively engaged in an important competition.

Kaffashian said that he has no idea about the progress of attracting Aria Jasuru Hasegawa, the 25 years old Japanese Iranian player, to Team Melli. He was quite hopeful that the South Africa Training camp will be on again so Team Melli can play the host country “Nothing is definite yet ” Kaffashian said in his usual proverbial manner” We are still negotiating with other teams to play friendly matches. We will announce the plans when we get the approval of our opponents”.

And we live in hope.