Tag: Kyrgyzstan

AFC FUTSAL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL PREVIEW

 UZBEKISTAN PREVIEW

/ Feb 20 2016 /

Tashkent: Coach Jose Maria Pazos insists Uzbekistan must “produce the perfect game” in Sunday’s final against Iran at Uzbekistan Stadium to claim a first-ever AFC Futsal Championship title.

Uzbekistan secured a nail-biting penalty shootout victory over Thailand in Friday’s semi-final following a thrilling 2-2 draw as Pazos’ side maintained their record of having never failed to qualify for the final as hosts.

But if Uzbekistan are to avoid a fourth final defeat, they must overcome Iran, whose formidable form has seen the 10-time winners score an incredible 46 goals in five games including a 13-1 semi-final victory over Vietnam on Friday.

“The key point is to keep them quiet for the first five or 10 minutes; nobody has managed to do that yet and they have won every match easily,” said Pazos, whose side lost 8-3 to Iran in the 2010 final.

“If we can keep them quiet or even score an early goal, who knows, maybe they will begin to get doubts in their minds that they have not experienced so far.

“But we have not started games well yet, so we need to improve that way. For us to win, we must produce the perfect game and we also need them to not be at their best.

“Nobody has been able to come close to stopping them yet. Vietnam tried to press them but it was impossible, other teams have tried to sit deep and defend and have been punished. They will punish us if we have any lack of focus which is why we need 40 minutes of total concentration.”

Hosts Uzbekistan began the tournament with a 5-2 win over Saudi Arabia before going on to top Group A with maximum points after claiming wins over Kyrgyzstan and Lebanon.

And after seeing off Iraq 3-0 in the quarter-finals, Pazos’ team came through the tense semi-final with Thailand to raise hopes of a first continental crown following final defeats in 2001, 2006 and 2010.

“We must try to play in a similar way to the Thailand game, where we defended and attacked well. We also need to cut out our mistakes,” added Pazos.

“But I have told my players they must enjoy this occasion because playing in front of the home fans will be special. It will probably be the last time they play the tournament in their own country with such a great atmosphere, so they must make the most of it.

“Iran will not be affected by our support because they are used to playing in front of big crowds so, I repeat, the key for us to complete mission impossible is to keep them quiet at the beginning. If we can do that, maybe we will find their weak points.”

 IRAN PREVIEW

Iran vs. Vietnam: Semi Final AFC Futsal Championship 2016 , Tashkent , Uzbekistan.

Tashkent: Coach Mohammad Nazemosharie has warned “anything can happen” ahead of Sunday’s AFC Futsal Championship final against hosts Uzbekistan as Iran chance an 11th continental title at Uzbekistan Stadium.

Iran have progressed to the final with a perfect record and underlined their title credentials with a 13-1 semi-final success over Vietnam on Friday.

Nazemosharie’s side, who have scored 46 goals and conceded just three in five games, also beat Uzbekistan 8-3 in the 2010 final in Tashkent which was the last time Iran won the AFC Futsal Championship title.

“We’ve prepared for six months for this one moment and we came to Uzbekistan only for one match, for this match, and to become champions,” said Nazemosharie.

“Sure, on paper we are the strongest team but the interesting and wonderful thing about futsal is that anything can happen in any match.

“If people say we are going to win for sure, for 99%, then I say we must focus on getting better and stopping the other 1%.

“No team that thinks they are champions can become champions; we have to come fully prepared, with good tactics, a good approach, mentality and strategy.”

Uzbekistan have also progressed to the final without losing a game, but the hosts did need penalties to edge out Thailand in their semi-final on Friday following a 2-2 draw after extra-time.

 “We have to accept that we are playing in Uzbekistan’s home and that they have a huge advantage with the crowd on their side,” added Nazemosharie.

“Every match you see, and I’m sure it will be the same on Sunday, their fans arrive hours before kick-off and they sing and play music and we know just how difficult it will be.”

Iran, though, following the 2010 final success, have won 22 of the 24 meetings with Uzbekistan.

“We are constantly thinking how to improve, so that’s why we practised the power-play, just to be ready,” said Nazemosharie.

“It’s also why we’ll practice penalties because you never know what can happen in this beautiful game of futsal.”

Photo: AFC

HEAD TO HEAD RECORDS

Iran vs Uzbekistan
Competition: – All Competitions
National Teams: – A Team (Men)
Period: – All
HOME AWAY NEUTRAL TOTAL
P W D L GM GF P W D L GM GF P W D L GM GF P W D L GM GF
10 9 1 0 62 13 10 9 0 1 40 15 4 4 0 0 26 6 24 22 1 1 128 34

 

Team 1 vs Team 2 Result Penalty
08/05/2014 – Ho Chi Minh City (VIE)
– AFC Asian Futsal Championship – Vietnam 2014 (FT)
Iran vs Uzbekistan 10 – 0 –
20/04/2014 – Tashkent (UZB)
– Friendly Match
Uzbekistan vs Iran 2 – 6 –
19/04/2014 – Tashkent (UZB)
– Friendly Match
Uzbekistan vs Iran 1 – 6 –
09/06/2013 – Tehran (IRI)
– Friendly Match
Iran vs Uzbekistan 9 – 3 –
08/06/2013 – Tehran (IRI)
– Friendly Match
Iran vs Uzbekistan 6 – 1 –
29/05/2012 – Dubai (UAE)
– AFC Asian Futsal Championship – UAE 2012
Iran vs Uzbekistan 6 – 3 –
17/04/2012 – Bandar-Abbas (IRI)
– Friendly Match
Iran vs Uzbekistan 4 – 1 –
15/04/2012 – Bandar-Abbas (IRI)
– Friendly Match
Iran vs Uzbekistan 2 – 2 –
12/10/2010 – Tashkent (UZB)
– Friendly Match
Uzbekistan vs Iran 4 – 0 –
30/05/2010 – Tashkent (UZB)
– AFC Asian Futsal Championship – Uzbekistan 2010 (FT)
Uzbekistan vs Iran 3 – 8 –
08/04/2010 – Udon Thani (THA)
– Udon Thani – Thailand 5’s 2010
Iran vs Uzbekistan 2 – 1 –
06/10/2009 – Tashkent (UZB)
– Tashkent 2009
Uzbekistan vs Iran 1 – 3 –
24/04/2008 – Tashkent (UZB)
– Friendly Match
Uzbekistan vs Iran 0 – 3 –
22/04/2008 – Tashkent (UZB)
– Friendly Match
Uzbekistan vs Iran 0 – 1 –
21/10/2007 – Joinville (BRA)
– Grand Prix 2007
Uzbekistan vs Iran 0 – 2 –
18/05/2007 – RootDamages FasT here (JPN)
– Osaka – Japan 2007
Uzbekistan vs Iran 3 – 7 –
27/01/2007 – RootDamages FasT here (IRI)
– 1st B Five Cup 2007
Iran vs Uzbekistan 7 – 0 –
02/06/2005 – Ho Chi Minh City (VIE)
– Ho Chi Min City – Vietnam 2005
Uzbekistan vs Iran 1 – 4 –
21/04/2004 – Macau (MCO)
– Macau – Macau 2004
Uzbekistan vs Iran 1 – 8 –
03/08/2003 – Tehran (IRI)
– Tehran – Iran 2003
Iran vs Uzbekistan 7 – 2 –
03/06/2003 – Kuala Lumpur (MLY)
– KL 5’s – Kuala Lumpur 2003
Iran vs Uzbekistan 7 – 1 –
22/10/2002 – Djakarta (INS)
– Djakarta – Indonesia 2002
Iran vs Uzbekistan 5 – 0 –
20/07/2001 – Tehran (IRI)
– AFC Asian Futsal Ch. – Iran 2001 (3rd)
Iran vs Uzbekistan 9 – 0 –
08/05/2000 – Bangkok (THA)
– AFC Asian Futsal Ch. – Thailand 2000 (2nd)
Uzbekistan vs Iran 4 – 6 –

Omid Team Manager apologizes for the loss.

Habib Kashani offered his apologies for the loss that Team Melli suffered against Saudi Arabia in Azadi stadium in the penultimate match of the AFC U23 Championship qualifiers. The 2-1 loss against Saudi Arabia resulted in the qualification of the opponents to the finals of the competition while Iran also qualified as one of the 5 best groups runners up.

Kashani , however , wasted little time in providing the usual bundle of excuses and justification for the loss. He said the team had only 3 months to prepare while Vingada’s team had 8 months yet lost to Vietnam and drew with Kyrgyzstan in the Asian Games in Incheon 2014.

“Half of the players were only recently added to the team and as such we needed more time to prepare. The defeat against Saudi Arabia was an unfortunate event which the coaching staff should offer a justification for.”

Iran U23 vs Saudi U23 Ali Karimi

Kashani added that in order to prepare for the final tournament in Qatar , the U23 team needs the cooperation of the league commission and their consent to the Omid Team training schedules and programs. “ As it is now, we only have the FIFA day where we can gather the players and practice. That is not adequate. In Doha , there will be no Nepal of Afghanistan , but facing strong teams like Korea , Qatar , Japan and  Emirates.” Added the Ex-Persepolis CEO.

Kashani also pointed to the other problems that many players will face in Omid team and in particular the Military service, which is a fundamental and chronic obstacles in front of the young Iranian players.

The Manager of Omid Team admitted that the FFIRI has provided everything possible for the team and for that he is quite grateful. He also acknowledged the Military Service commission’s support in allowing some players to compete in the qualifiers. “I appreciate all the people who helped Omid Team case in order to compete in the best possible way.” However, Kashani went to by saying “ I apologize for the loss against Saudi Arabia , all I can say at this moment is that I shoulder all the blame for that loss (…) . I have nothing else to offer except to say I am sorry!”

There was no mention of technical flaws or coaching deficiencies nor player’s performance issues in Kashani’s statement.

 

Vingda “I accept all the blame , I apologize but will not resign”

Nelo Vingada , the Portuguese head coach of Iran’s Olympic (U-23) team, accepted all the blame for his team’s disastrous performances and said “It is no one’s fault but mine. I accept all the blame , I apologize . I know that this is the worst result of Iran in the history of the Asian Games , but I will not resign!”

Vingada was talking to the Iranian news agency reporter ISNA  in Incheon after what seems to be a certain exit by Iran’s Football team from the Asian Games. Iran has one point from a draw against Kyrgyzstan and a humiliating 4-1 defeat by Vietnam. Iran’s only hope is for Vietnam to beat  Kyrgyzstan by a 4 goal margin.

When asked by the reporter about the shortfalls of the team, the head coach provided no better answer other than to say that “These things happen in football. This football is the only sport that such unexpected results can occur!”

Vingada , who according to his compatriot Carlos Queiroz statement after the heavy loss against Vietnam, “knows his  job very well” , mentioned nothing about his team’s diabolical defending , lack of teamwork and team spirit , poor finishing by star players , selfish player’s attitude who were playing for themselves rather than the team and loads of other factors that were so vividly lacking in this team.

“I have picked this squad myself. I was under the impression that we will be working with the U-21 team “ Vingada said. Since 1996 only 23 years old players with three over-23 players were allowed per squad in the Olympic Games and subsequently followed in the Asian Games as of after 1998 games . It is not clear how Vingada got this idea of the U21 team or whether it was intentional.

“I know that a lot of people are very upset by the team results , it was so clear from the reaction that we heard. I am quite shocked myself by these bad results. At least I can tell you that there are some good players in the squad who have a good future and people should be proud of them (…)!”

Asked to comment about the ugly scene at the end of the Vietnam match involving defender Khanzadeh after he was awarded the 2nd yellow card and a dismissal, Vingada’s response was   “I was so shocked by his attitude and had a long talk with him. He regretted his action. It is easy to talk about it outside the game, but when you are losing by such a margin and you hear the opposition ( a Vietnamese player) swear at you , one would lose his temper and do such things.”

This is the icing on the cake for this supposedly experienced coach. Instead of condemning that shameful act by Khanzadeh , he is justifying it. There is no remorse detected in his statement either!

Another humiliation: Iran U23 on the brink of elimination from Asian Games

Iran U23 team once again disillusioned the fans and failed to win against modest Kyrgyzstan. The match in Group H of the Asian Games Incheon 2014 ended 1-1. Iran has 1 point from two games, Vietnam leading the group with 3 points after defeating Iran 4-1.

In today’s match , which Iran needed to win handsomely to increase its chances of qualifying , the team played like a group of misfits which was assembled in haste. The team was not able to mount any real threat against inferior opposition on paper and ranking let alone pedigree and history.

The match started quite well for Iran U23 . The first 10 minutes was completely dominated by Iran Olympic Team. The ball hardly crossed the half line into Iran side, however, Mosalman lovely strike from just inside the box was the only real threat of this period. That shot was parried by the Kyrgyz keeper. The remaining period was full of Iranian huff and puff but there was hardly any serious threat on Kyrgyzstan keeper. Most of the offensive moves by Iran was at best , quite toothless. With the match progressing , it did not take long for the coaches of Kyrgyzstan to realize how to defend well and mount counter attacks.

The first half ended 0-0.

In the second half, much of the first half scenario was repeating itself with the exception that Kyrgyzstan was getting bolder in attack and starting to threaten Iran’s goal . They could have stunned everyone when the Kyrgyz forward was one on one but failed to finish. 

Iranian offensive moves were mainly some shy attempts by Kaveh Rezaei whose shots were more like practice for the Kyrgyzstan keeper. The other poster boy, Mehdi Sharifi was incognito.!

With the match approaching the last 10 minutes and Iran desperate for a goal,  a corner was given which Mohsen Mosalman masterfully took and delivered on the top of Pouraliganji’s head. The tall midfielder headed to the far corner of the net and scored triggering an ecstatic Iranian celebration and deep sigh of relief on the bench. Pouraliganji’s goal came in the 77th minute.

Two minutes from the end , Kyrgyzstan struck and struck well. A long cross from a foul from the left found a Kyrgyzstan player with ample time to control the ball and head towards the goal. Despite the presence of 3 markers, the ball passed the goal line to register the equalizer for Kyrgyzstan. It was a deserving goal for this modest team, but well-organized and hardworking.

Iran’s football is on the brink of a real humiliation. The Continents most celebrated country in Asian Games football is virtually out of the tournament, unless you believe in miracle s and Saints rising to help this toothless team with clueless coaching staff.

Never in the history of Asian Games football, Iran faced such a degradation, but under the administration of Ali Kaffashian , such fiascoes and bitter defeats should not be too shocking.  It is certainly not too shocking for Kaffashian as he thought of Vietnam as a strong team and was perhaps was at loss at what all this fuss is about, we only lost 4-1 to Vietnam!

And now…….let the excuses begin….

Will Iran U23 be eliminated before the Asian Games start?

After the humiliating opening group game defeat against Vietnam, a 4-1 result that sent shock waves to many critics, experts and fans in Iran, the Olympic team is under the threat of elimination from the Asian Games , before even the game officially starts. This would be a milestone in Iran’s football, a one which is truly mortifying for a nation that claims to be at the top level of Asian football.

Iran has to beat Kyrgyzstan on Thursday and by a comprehensive margin to assure qualification in what was seen as an easy group.  The Asian Games Men’s football competition draw could not have been any kinder to Iran , as not only it has put it in 3 team group instead of 4 , it also  placed it with FIFA ranking 139 (Vietnam) and 144 (Kyrgyzstan) or no 21 and 22 in Asia. This time there are no Arab teams, who have really learned how to play against the Iranians, to disturb the U23 team progress. Apparently that huge advantage meant nothing as the little Vietnamese showed the mighty Iranians a few tricks of their own, specifically scoring.

Beating Kyrgyzstan at this level is not an easy task as Iran discovered in the last Olympic Qualifiers in 2011. Human Afazeli was the coach when Iran U23 struggled to beat Kyrgyzstan by the tightest of margins 1-0 in Tehran while they were lucky to get a goal-less draw in Bishkek and qualified by a single goal margin. Afazeli is currently working alongside Nelo Vingada as the U23 Team Manager in Incheon.

Vietnam player celebrates scoring against Iran

Defeats in football is part and parcel of the game, but the manner of defeat can make a world of difference and in many cases, it highlights the underlying problems of that football. Ali Kaffashian has been running the federation with his usual grin for 7 years and getting away with one poorly and disjointed organization. According to the respected Amir Haj Rezaei ” the system and the administration of football in Iran is the biggest culprit behind these humiliation of our football.  Time and again, the only victims are the coaches who lose their jobs while those who are really accountable or at least share  a large portion of the blame ,  maintain their power , repeatedly display their incompetence and inability to manage football , and continue repeating the same mistakes. Our football is at the mercy of politicians’ whims and being exploited by them. These are people who have seen a great opportunity in football to exploit it and benefit from its popularity. Without improvements at the top, chances of success are slim at field level.”

For Kaffashian , it is business as usual. Asked about this humiliating defeat in the press conference after signing the contract with Queiroz, the incumbent President of FFIRI claimed that there are no easy teams in the World Anymore! Down deep inside, he was probably wondering what all this fuss is about!

That response by Kaffashian , just about sums up this man’s standard and aspiration towards Iran’s football.  Driven by other behind the scenes, not much can be expected from this FFIRI administration.

Players and coaches, have to take all the burden of competitions in order to succeed.

Iran U23 meets Kyrgyzstan u23 at 12:30 Tehran time on Thursday 18th September.

 

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Asian Games 2014 football draw

The draws for the men’s and women’s football tournaments at the 2014 Asian Games, to be held in Incheon, South Korea, were made on Thursday . Iran’s U23 team was drawn with Vietnam and Kyrgyzstan in Group H . Iran is coached by Nelo Vingada .

In the men’s tournament all countries will be playing their U-23 sides with 3 over age players allowed for each team.

29 nations were divided into eight groups in the men’s event with five groups of four and three groups of three teams.

The women’s event has 11 teams with two groups of four and one group of three countries and unlike the men, every nation would be fielding their senior national team.

Men’s draw

Group A: Laos, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Korea Republic

Group B: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Uzbekistan

Group C: Tajikistan, Singapore, Palestine, Oman

Group D: Nepal, Iraq, Kuwait, Japan

Group E: Indonesia, Timor Leste, Maldives, Thailand

Group F: Pakistan, China PR, DPR Korea

Group G: UAE, India, Jordan

Group H: Iran, Vietnam, Kyrgyzstan

Women’s draw

Group A: South Korea, Thailand, India, Maldives

Group B: Japan, China, Jordan, Chinese Taipei

Group C: North Korea, Vietnam, Hong Kong