Tag: Saeid Ezatolahi

14/10/202415/10/2024

Iran vs Qatar: Who dares wins.

Team Melli Prepares for Crucial Showdown Against Qatar in World Cup 2026 Qualifiers

On Tuesday, Iran’s national football team, Team Melli, will face AFC Asian Cup holders Qatar in Dubai for a pivotal match in Group A of the FIFA World Cup 2026 third-round qualifiers. Both teams are vying for qualification to the prestigious tournament, with Iran and Uzbekistan currently tied at the top of the group on seven points, ahead of the UAE and Qatar, who each have four points. This match represents a significant opportunity for both sides to either consolidate or reinvigorate their campaign as they inch closer to World Cup qualification.

The Dubai Venue: A Blessing in Disguise

While many Iranian football fans and pundits lament the fact that Team Melli has been denied the opportunity to host this match on home soil, playing in Dubai may, in fact, prove advantageous for the team. Iran’s football infrastructure has been under scrutiny for years, and the current state of the pitches—especially as the iconic Azadi Stadium undergoes construction and maintenance—is widely regarded as subpar. In a country with a deep footballing history, it is a matter of national embarrassment that Iran lacks proper pitches, forcing matches to be played on surfaces that are sometimes no better than “cattle grazing grounds.”

Beyond the poor pitch conditions, organizational and logistical issues have plagued Iranian football for some time. These include chaotic fan entry procedures, frequent promotion of political propaganda during matches, heavy-handed security, unruly fan behavior, and restrictions on women entering stadiums.

In contrast, Dubai is an exemplary venue for hosting top-tier international football. The city, like Doha, boasts professional and efficient sporting event management. The superior facilities, along with the fact that Dubai hosts a large and passionate Iranian expatriate community, means that Team Melli will likely enjoy strong support from the stands, creating a home-away-from-home atmosphere. This level of comfort could be vital for the team, as they aim to secure all three points.

Team Melli’s Lineup and Tactical Challenges

Despite the absence of three key players due to injury or suspension, Team Melli enters the match with a slight edge over Qatar, both in terms of experience and talent. However, the long-standing concern for Iran has been the predictability of its tactics. Under the guidance of head coach Amir Ghalenoei, the team has stuck to a direct style of play, often relying on “route one” football—long balls and counterattacks. This approach has neither been attractive to watch nor particularly effective, especially considering Iran boasts two of Asia’s most talented forwards, Mehdi Taremi and Sardar Azmoun.

Shockingly, between Taremi and Azmoun—who are considered among the continent’s elite strikers—there has been just one goal scored in Team Melli’s first three matches of the qualifiers. Iran’s total of two goals in those games is woefully low, especially for a team with such firepower. While some of the blame can be attributed to poor finishing, a deeper analysis reveals that the style of play is a major factor. The lack of creativity and quality in service from midfield has resulted in few genuine scoring opportunities for Taremi and Azmoun.

Ghalenoei’s focus on defensive solidity has come at the expense of offensive fluidity. The forwards have been isolated, often relying on half-chances to make an impact. If Iran is to improve its scoring output, the coach may need to adopt a more balanced approach, allowing the midfield to support the attack more consistently.

Qatar’s Resurgence and Threats

Qatar, on the other hand, has shown steady improvement since their disappointing home defeat against the UAE on the opening day of the qualifiers. The reintroduction of defensive stalwarts Abdulkarim Hassan and Boualem Khoukhi has shored up the backline, while their attack, led by the dynamic duo of Akram Afif and Almoez Ali, continues to be dangerous. Unlike Iran, Qatar has shown clinical finishing ability, often converting half-chances into goals. This efficiency in front of goal could be a decisive factor in Tuesday’s match.

Qatar’s counter-attacking style and ability to capitalize on mistakes make them a dangerous opponent for Team Melli. The Iranian defense will need to remain organized and vigilant, as Afif and Almoez have the pace and skill to punish any lapses in concentration.

Iran’s Key Players and Defensive Resilience

While Iran’s attack has struggled, their defense has been one of the team’s bright spots, keeping a clean sheet through the first three matches of the qualifiers. Much of this defensive solidity is owed to the emergence of Ali Nemati, who delivered a standout performance in his debut against Uzbekistan. Nemati’s calm and assured presence in the backline, stepping in for the injured Hossein Kanaanizadegan, was a revelation. If he can replicate that form against Qatar, Iran’s defense will have a solid foundation to build on.

In midfield, Saeid Ezatollahi has also begun to rediscover his form. After a string of underwhelming performances, the Shabab Al-Ahli midfielder put in a commanding display in the last match. Playing on his club’s home ground in Dubai, Ezatollahi will be expected to pull the strings and control the tempo of the game. The absence of the suspended Saman Ghoddos places extra creative responsibility on Ali Gholizadeh and Mehdi Ghayedi, both of whom have the flair and skill to unlock defenses. If Ghalenoei opts to start these two dynamic players, Iran could pose a more varied and unpredictable attacking threat.

Taremi and Azmoun: Time to Deliver

For all of Iran’s defensive resilience, the onus will ultimately fall on Taremi and Azmoun to deliver in front of goal. Both players have been underperforming for Team Melli in recent games, and their form will be crucial if Iran is to break down Qatar’s defense. In a match of this magnitude, the big players need to step up, and Taremi and Azmoun must rediscover their scoring touch if Iran is to secure the win and remain atop Group A.

A Match of Fine Margins

Tuesday’s clash in Dubai promises to be a tight, tense affair, with both teams capable of taking all three points. While Iran may hold a slight advantage on paper, Qatar’s recent resurgence and clinical finishing mean that the match could swing either way. For Team Melli, a win would solidify their position as group leaders and bring them one step closer to World Cup qualification, while for Qatar, a victory would reignite their campaign.

As both teams prepare for this crucial encounter, the stage is set for an intriguing contest between two of Asia’s footballing giants.

05/06/2019

Saeid Ezatolahi profiled after Iran international linked with a move to Leeds United

The 22-year-old has had an injury-hit campaign on loan at Reading

By: Andew Steel

With the transfer window fully up and running, Leeds United are on the hunt for new players following the confirmation that Marcelo Bielsa will remain at the helm next season.

With the Argentine set to stay in West Yorkshire, the Whites are looking to add to their squad as they look to improve upon their promotion near-miss this year, with other members set to leave.

One name linked this week with a move to Elland Road is central midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi, with Iranian media reporting that he could bring some extra depth into the core of United’s pack.

But just who is the 22-year-old? LeedsLive takes a look at his credentials.

Who is Saeid Ezatolahi?

Ezatolahi is a midfielder currently contracted to Russian top flight side FC Rostov – though he hasn’t spent much time there in recent years.

He arrived in 2015 but has spent the last two campaigns out on loan, firstly at Amkar Perm and latterly at Championship rivals Reading this year.

He’s struggled with injuries however, with his spell at the latter blighted by problems, while he looks set to become a free agent.

Why do Leeds want him?

Leeds United are not set to make widescale changes to their squad this summer, with Bielsa happy with the core of his squad. However, some more depth is needed and Ezatolahi’s age and experience tick a number of boxes for the club.

With his contract expiring this summer, he would also be a cost-effective way to add to the squad.

What has he done?

He’s not achieved much at club level, though he was a member of the Rostov side that finished as Russian Premier League runners-up in 2016.

At international level however, he’s won close to 30 caps for Iran since 2015, establishing himself as something of a mainstay of the team.

He’s only got the one goal however, scored on his fourth appearance against Turkmenistan in 2015.

29/12/2018

Iran hampered by usual issues ahead of bid to end drought

Michael Church

(Reuters) – Turmoil and uncertainty have become constant companions for the Iranian national team, but coach Carlos Queiroz will look to push aside such distractions and end the country’s 43-year Asian Cup title drought at next month’s tournament.

Iran last lifted Asian football’s most coveted trophy on home soil in 1976, when they completed the third leg of three consecutive championship wins that mark the country out as one of continent’s most successful ever.

But for all their achievements since defeating Kuwait to complete the hat-trick — a resume that includes five World Cup appearances and three Asian Games gold medals — the title the nation covets the most has continued to prove elusive.

Iran head to the United Arab Emirates as one of favourites, even though Queiroz has been denied the services of Reading’s Saeid Ezatolahi, an influential presence at the heart of the team, due to injury.

The absence of the 22-year-old is the latest in a string of issues to hamper the team’s preparations, with Queiroz’s own future proving a major distraction since the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

After Iran narrowly missed out on advancing from the group stage for a first time, Queiroz’s demands for a new four-year contract were ignored by Iranian football authorities and doubts will remain over his future until the Asian Cup finishes.

Star striker Sardar Azmoun, meanwhile, shocked many when he announced his international retirement in response to abuse the 24-year-old received in the aftermath of a lacklustre World Cup campaign for the Rubin Kazan forward.

Further issues arose in early December with the Iranians at risk of an international ban from FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) over government interference in the domestic federation’s affairs.

The team has suffered funding issues, too, while the United States government’s decision to impose sanctions on Tehran has made it difficult for Portugal’s Queiroz to properly prepare his squad for the tournament.

But, as a long-running row between Queiroz and former national coach Branko Ivankovic, now in charge of Iran’s most popular club Persepolis, simmers in the background, one of the most talented squads in Asia will head to the finals in January.

A draw against Portugal in their third game could not prevent them from exiting the competition, but the four points gained were the largest haul in the country’s World Cup history.

Queiroz, whose team take on Iraq, Vietnam and Yemen in the group phase, will be looking to create history for Iran once more and nothing short of victory in the final in Abu Dhabi on Feb. 1 will be deemed a success.

15/09/2018

Saeid Ezatolahi finally expected to arrive at Reading

From Rostov to Reading, via Belgium, Uzbekistan and France.

The deal to bring Saeid Ezatolahi to Reading has been far from straightforward, but the Iranian international is set to finally arrive in England this weekend.

The 21-year-old completed his season-long loan move from Russian outfit FC Rostov on August 31, the final day of the summer transfer window.

But he is yet to arrive at Hogwood with all previous stages of the deal completed elsewhere across the globe.

“He hasn’t reported yet,” explained Reading FC boss Paul Clement.

“As we speak (on Thursday afternoon), he is in Paris.

“He was on international duty with Iran and they played Uzbekistan. He played a good, significant amount of the game and he set up the goal, so that’s good.

“He is in Paris to get his visa. Everything is in place now, the visa has been approved and we’re just waiting for it to be collected. Ezatolahi has spent a few days in Paris
“So he’s got to go back to the office to collect it, that’ll probably be on Friday and then he’s free to travel to the UK.”

“We expect him to arrive here either Friday or Saturday. He’ll do some light training on Saturday, on Sunday the players are off and he’ll start fully with everybody on Monday.”

Clement added: “After the World Cup he had some rest time. He did go back to Russia, Rostov for a couple of weeks where he was training and then there has been a period where he hasn’t been there and he’s been back in Iran.

“He lost a little bit of time but fortunately during this period where he was with the national team, clearly he’s been training and he’s already played a game.

“So he might need a bit of time, but I don’t think he’ll need that much. I’ll assess it as soon as I see him.”

Paul Clement insists there are no problems behind the scenes at Reading

The announcement of Ezatolahi’s arrival came as a surprise to many, with the deal accelerated during the final week of the transfer window.

Reading had been chasing Swansea City midfielder Jay Fulton on a permanent deal, but when that fell through they moved to snap up Ezatolahi on loan.

But Clement hopes that could turn into a longer term deal.

“I hope he has a long future here,” said the Reading manager.

“The situation with the deal at the moment is he’s on a loan for the season because when we signed him, it was obviously outside the period where we could do a permanent, so it’s on an initial loan.

Paul Clement is hoping Ezatolahi will be here for longer than one season
“Hopefully he does really well and it’s a long-term thing.

“It was brought to my attention late in the window. We had a week. During that week it was about gathering as much intelligence as possible, speaking to people he had worked with.

“A really complicated deal.” – Paul Clement

“Fortunately I was able to have a good conversation with Carlos Queiroz (Iran’s national team boss), who spoke really highly of him.

“Then I spoke to the player and got a really good feel about him and we’re really pleased to get it over the line.

“It was a little bit complicated. You’re dealing with Russia, you’ve got the situation where he’s Iranian so you’ve got the visa issues, international clearance and those type of things.

“He had his medical in Belgium at Roeselare because it was difficult to get him here to do the medical because of the visa, but in the end we got it over the line.

“A really complicated deal.”

“We’re looking forward to working with him. I think he’s going to be a good addition to us.”

21/06/201821/06/2018

A disallowed goal vs a fluke, gives victory to Spain.

Spain edged out a gallant Iran in an absorbing contest to ensure they will reach the World Cup knockout stage with a draw in their final group game.

The 2010 champions needed a fortuitous Diego Costa goal after half-time, having been frustrated in an opening period in which they had 81% of possession.

Iran, who defended admirably until the ball ricocheted in off Costa, instantly showed more intent and thought they had levelled, only for Saeid Ezatolahi’s strike to be ruled out for offside.

Carlos Queiroz’s Iran side had gone close through Karim Ansarifard and Mehdi Taremi before the crucial offside call and their endeavour throughout seemed to endear them to the crowd at the Kazan Arena.

They survived a chaotic goalmouth scramble where Gerard Pique somehow failed to turn home from a yard out, but again showed heart and threatened late on, with Taremi heading over when well placed.

Fernando Hierro, installed as Spain manager two days before the World Cup started, knows his side will reach the knockout stage if they draw with Morocco on Monday.

Spain overcome another test
Spain may feel they have faced several noteworthy hurdles already throughout their stay in Russia.

The sacking of coach Julen Lopetegui before the tournament was followed by a last-minute equaliser by Portugal in their opening game. Then came this significant examination.

Spain are accustomed to dominating possession against sides content to soak up pressure, but Iran’s deep 4-5-1 set-up in the first half afforded them only one shot on target. Costa cut an isolated and frustrated figure, with 12 first-half touches.

Iran set a record of 1,121 minutes without conceding a goal in qualifying and only after the break did Spain begin to find holes in a well-drilled defensive block, with Sergio Busquets forcing a fine save and Pique unable to flick home in the six-yard box.

Hierro’s side were typically neat with the ball – completing 90% of their passes – and their early second-half momentum told, with a Ramin Rezaeian clearance hitting Costa and finding the corner of the net. It was Costa’s ninth goal in his past nine international starts.

The fact he continued to hassle Iran’s defenders on a night when he was so often crowded out of the game is to his credit and, after scoring twice against Portugal, he looks to have made the lone striker role his own.

Spain top Group B courtesy of having collected fewer disciplinary points than Portugal.

This was their first competitive defeat since the 2014 World Cup and the way they switched from a defensive focus to chase the game after falling behind showed they have more to offer than simply a stiff rearguard.

Ansarifard’s lashed volley left David de Gea motionless but found the side netting, while Taremi failed to hit the target with two headers, notably late on when he rose unchallenged.

But Iran will look back at Ezatolahi’s disallowed goal as key. He stabbed home from close range, only for the assistant referee – and then the video assistant referee – spotted he had strayed offside when the ball was flicked on.

Ranked 37th in the world by Fifa – 27 places lower than Spain – Iran continued to show grit in denying Pique in an almighty goalmouth scramble but they crucially failed to find the target with their seven shots at the other end.

Queiroz said the Spain match was Iran’s “game of the universe”. Their fixture in Saransk on Monday now arguably deserves a bigger title.

A win would send them through to the knockout stage for the first time in their history and a draw could prove enough if Spain lose to Morocco.

Man of the match – Isco

Isco was at the heart of Spain’s play and saw more of the ball than anyone on the pitch with 138 touches. He completed 92% of his passes and played eight crosses – another high. He found shooting opportunities and also won the ball back as many times as anyone else in his side. On a night when the Iran defence deserved praise, he was key in wearing them down.
‘We had one match point’ – what they said

Iran boss Carlos Queiroz: “We showed that we were ready to suffer and ready to compete.

“There’s no doubt Spain play wonderful, stylish football but we deserved more for the way we played.

“We will learn a lot from this game. If you think of it like tennis, we had one match point today and we will have another against Portugal. Everything is still open. We are still alive and still dreaming.”

Spain boss Fernando Hierro: “What I can say is that we have three more points. We knew it was going to be very difficult and, sure enough, it was a very complex game.

“There were times in both halves when things were tough. During the break, we knew we had a plan and we carried it out – my players did what they had to do.

“Iran are a strong team and it’s very tough to score against them. We knew how hard it would be. But once again my players have given everything.”

Former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton on BBC Radio 5 live: “Iran had a game plan and they sat deep and let Spain come on to them.

“But in a funny way, Spain’s goal gave Iran belief, because that’s when they really went for it.

“They gave absolutely everything and I felt so sorry for them lying down on the pitch at the end.”

Spain find a 1-0 win again

05/09/2017

Iran vs. Syria :Joy for the Iranians , desperation for Syrians.

Tehran:

44 Years ago in Iran’s first ever participation in the World Cup , Team Melli had to face the Syrians. Similar to the status of tomorrow’s (Tuesday) match, Iran already qualified from its group. Team Melli played against Syria in the last match of the qualifying group. Iran has already beaten Syria 1-0 in the first encounter and with the match nothing but formality, the Iranians were looking ahead to a comfortable win and a light workout.

It was far from that as AbdulGhani Tatish scored an early goal for Syria in the 11′ minute in a surprise attack and for the rest of the match, the Syrians simply parked the bus.

A repeat performance is quite possible tomorrow if the desperate Syrians score first, however, that victory in Amjadiah stadium was the first and the last for the Syrians against Iran.

Syria will be looking for the perfect ending to their fairytale run in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign with a win over Group A winners Islamic Republic of Iran at Azadi Stadium on Tuesday to guarantee at least a play-off berth for the Qasioun Eagles.

Syria sit two points behind second-placed Korea Republic and above fourth-placed Uzbekistan on goal difference with the Koreans and the Uzbeks facing off in Tashkent in a simultaneous kick-off, meaning a win could even see the visitors claim second spot and a historic first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance.

But the Syrians will be aware of the difficulty of the task as their opponents are unbeaten so far and have yet to concede a single goal in this campaign – something that has provided Iran with huge motivation even after wrapping up their qualification with a win over Uzbekistan in June.

A scoreless draw with Korea Republic on Thursday saw Iran move to just one game away from finishing the group stage with their record still intact, although Saeid Ezatolahi’s dismissal means the midfielder is suspended for Tuesday’s encounter.

Syria’s 3-1 win over Qatar saw them leapfrog the Uzbeks into third and leaves them with a very realistic chance of finishing in the top three. With Omar Khribin and the recently recalled Omar Al Soma leading the frontline, Ayman Hakeem’s side have the firepower to trouble the stubborn Iranian defence.

[divider size=”10″ margin=”20″]

IRAN vs. SYRIA

Head2Head

Venue	Matches	W	D	L	Goals	+ / –
H	10	4	5	1	19 – 8	+11
A	8	5	3	0	10 – 3	+7
N	6	4	2	0	7 – 2	+5
Total	24	13	10	1	36 – 13	+23

18/06/2017

“We Will Not Go to Russia as Tourists” Carlos Queiroz

John Duerden

Carlos Queiroz has been making history this week with Iran, and he wants to do so again next summer.

On June 12, Team Melli, as the national team is known, qualified for the World Cup — the first time they’ll be in back-to-back competitions — and now their sights are set on a debut appearance in the knockout stages.

Not long before midnight at the iconic Azadi Stadium in Tehran, the Mozambique-born manager was thrown into the air by his squad of Iranian players after they had defeated Uzbekistan 2-0. It was in recognition of a perfect World Cup qualification campaign and their being second only to Brazil in booking a berth in Russia.

“The atmosphere and excitement of the fans were great. They deserve this,” Queiroz told ESPN FC.

Iran deserve it too, and have been dominant in the third round of qualification, doing the job with two of the ten games still to play. Not only are Iran unbeaten, but not once has the defence been breached. Perhaps most impressive was that all knew a win at home to Uzbekistan would be enough for a ticket to Russia, and all expected exactly that would happen. This is a team that delivers.

“We tried not to think about the World Cup, not to play two games in the same game,” said Queiroz who was appointed in 2011. “We just wanted to focus on Uzbekistan, just win the game and collect the points. No doubt we were the best team on the pitch and fortunately we won. Someone needs to win in football, and it was us.”

After four years in which Iran was Asia’s highest-ranked team according to FIFA, few would argue that this team is the best on the pitch, the only one of any of the traditional continental powerhouses to shine consistently in qualification.

Despite that, Queiroz believes Iran still has work to do.

“I think that, honestly, there are two competitions in Asia,” said the former Real Madrid and Portugal boss. “The stats and the real competition. From a data point of view, the numbers show that we are the No. 1 and there is no doubt about that. We did not concede one goal, did not lose and qualified with two games left.

“But overall, we are far away from the international level. In that sense, I believe that South Korea and Japan are one step ahead of us. They have more experience and football closer to European standards. This is the gap we need to close during our preparation.”

Carlos Queiroz’s Iran became the second team to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, after Brazil.

Preparation is key. There is a year until it all starts. In the past, Iran have struggled to arrange training camps and friendlies, watching with envy as Asian rivals play all around the world.

“Not many [understand] as to the right amount of credit we deserve for this qualification,” he said. “It is hard to explain to the world our problems and that it is hard to find a place to train or teams to play.”

Queiroz has had numerous run-ins with bosses at the Iranian Football Federation and various clubs in his six years in the position. Now he wants total support in the 12 months leading to Russia.

“I will try to make a statement similar to a famous statement made by a famous old and great president: The question is not what Team Melli can do for Iran, but what Iran can do for Team Melli.

“In order to progress, we need better infrastructure and financial support for camps and friendly games.If we don’t do that, the result will be stagnation. This is not the expectation for Iran fans and not what they deserve.

“It is time to say that the national team has been doing everything for Iranian football, now it is time for the authorities to step up. The passion is there and we need to implement a different program in order for different players to progress. In Portugal we were producing good players 26 or 30 years ago, but in Portugal we did not sleep and kept producing players. This is what Iran misses — a master plan with an infrastructure and individual support.”

If all goes well, the next stage of the plan is within reach. Iran has appeared in four World Cups but has yet to survive the group stage.

Iran performed well in 2014, but this is a different team now — more cosmopolitan, confident and consistent. Young stars like striker Sardar Azmoun and midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi are already in Russia but ready to make the jump to the big leagues and expand further the country’s growing pool of players who are active and impressing in Europe.

“We have built a team and a squad of 26 and more players and I have more options,” he said. “I have three goalkeepers, three right-backs and so on. At the next World Cup, I can rest people and keep them fresh for the games while keeping the same standard.

“This is due to our players being brilliant. I have never saw in my life players who made such sacrifices.”

Now is not the time to stop.

“My goal and dream is to get to the knockout stage at the 2018 World Cup. I am fighting against this satisfaction disease. We should not be satisfied with the first round. We need to be ambitious. We need to think big. We will not go to Russia as tourists.”

John Duerden covers Asian football for ESPN FC. Follow him on Twitter: @JohnnyDuerden.