Tag: Kalani

Opponent watch: Portugal

Having won a first major tournament at Euro 2016, can Cristiano Ronaldo now inspire the Seleccao again?

Portugal stunned Europe in 2016 after winning the European Championships despite rarely looking like potential winners until the semi-final.

Under pragmatic boss Fernando Santos, the Seleccao claimed a first ever major tournament success in France, despite drawing all three group games and managing just one win inside 90 minutes.

Now ranked No.3 in the world by FIFA, a side full full of experience, including Pepe (35), Rui Patricio (30), Joao Moutinho (31), Nani (31) and, of course, all-time record goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo (33), will have one final fling at the World Cup.

Santos has shown loyalty to his veterans – and been repaid – while also bringing through younger stars such as Joao Cancelo, Bernardo Silva, Raphael Guerreiro and Andre Silva, giving the side a mixture of youth and experience, nous and speed.

“Brazil, Argentina, Spain, Germany and France are the favourites to win the World Cup,” says the Portugal coach, Fernando Santos, before adding: “Then we have other candidates, who want to get as far as possible, and win the tournament if possible, and Portugal are in this second group.” Santos is cautious, despite winning Euro 2016 but he is looking forward to the World Cup with optimism and does so with good reason: Portugal seem stronger now than a year and a half ago, having added creativity to the defensive organisation that underpinned the 2016 title. Bernardo Silva and André Silva have been important factors in this attacking upgrade and in general the team have more depth. The one area which is perhaps weaker is the defence, where it has been hard to find replacements for Pepe (who will be 35 next summer), José Fonte (34) and Bruno Alves (36).

Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal lifts the European Championship trophy after his side win 1-0 against France
Portugal celebrate their Euro 2016 triumph (Image: Getty)
Portugal boss Fernando Santos (Image: Matthias Hangst)

The big question regards whether Ronaldo can shine on the world stage and light up the major finals with his goalscoring; dumped out at the group stage in 2014, he has a much stronger support cast backing him up this time. Andre Silva has proven an excellent foil also, but has endured a difficult season at AC Milan after a big-money move.

Their opener against Spain offers an early test, but they’ll expect to get past Morocco and Iran, before heading into the knockout stages…a road they proved two years ago that they know how to travel.

 

Form guide

The Seleccao lost their opening World Cup qualifier in Switzerland, but won the following nine – including a must-win decider against the previously unbeaten Swiss – to book their finals spot.

That initial defeat to the Swiss apart, Portugal have lost just one friendly in the past 18 months – 3-2 at home to Sweden last March – while they finished third in the Confederations Cup last summer, having been beaten on penalties by Chile in the semi-final.

 

Star player

Cristiano Ronaldo

As crucial as ever (Image: Getty Images Europe)

Cristiano Ronaldo remains absolutely pivotal to the Seleccao, their biggest star and chief supplier of goals.

He doesn’t run down the flank as much as he did in his youth, and the step-overs are far more infrequent, but there simply isn’t a better big-game goalscorer on the planet.

His relationship with pragmatic coach Fernando Santos remains crucial, and this is, almost certainly, his last chance to win a World Cup.

 

Rising Star

Bernardo Silva

Bernardo Silva celebrates scoring against Arsenal in March (Image: Shaun Botterill)

The former Benfica and Monaco playmaker Bernardo Silva experienced a slow start to his Manchester City career due to injury and the form of Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling, but the fleet-footed star has become increasingly important at the Etihad.

Extremely skillful, clever with his use of the ball and cutting in the final third, the 23-year-old missed out on Euro 2016 due to injury; he’ll be looking to make up for lost time in Russia.

How they qualified Winners of European Group B ahead of Switzerland 

Preferred system 4-4-2

Star player Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)

One to watch Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)

Manager Fernando Santos

Odds 20-1

Head 2 Head

Iran & Portugal met twice. The first meeting in Brazil was 36 years ago in Brazil Centenary tournament. Portugal was one of the best teams in the World at that time with the great Eusebio leading the attack. Iran was the top team in Asia but with an aging golden generation players such as Kalani, Iranpak, Halvaei and Arab.

The next meeting was in the World Cup 2006,where the  two teams have met in the group stage. It was a tough match for both team. Cristiano Ronaldo remains the only survivor from that match. He also scored a goal against Mirzapour. Portugal included two legendary players Luis Figo and Deck in that team.

Portugal had the upper hand in both the matches with 5 goals scored and none conceded.

 

Date Comp. H / A / N Final score Stadium Attendance
17.Jun.2006 FIFA World Cup / Group D N 0 – 2 Waldstadion , Frankfurt 48,000
14.Jun.1972 Brazil Independance Cup N 0 – 3 Santa Cruz Stadium, RECIFE 115,000

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