Tag: Shabab Al-Ahli

Sardar Azmoun Injured During UAE Cup Match, Faces Possible Team Melli Absence.

Sardar Azmoun, the star center forward of Team Melli and Shabab Al-Ahli, sustained an injury during his club’s UAE Cup match against Diba Al-Hisn.

Azmoun, who recently impressed by scoring twice and assisting Mohebi in Iran’s victory over Qatar, continued his fine form with an early goal in the 9th minute of the match. However, his night was cut short when he was forced to leave the field in the 32nd minute due to injury.

In the dressing room, medical staff conducted an initial evaluation, quickly assessing the severity of his condition. Fortunately, after further examinations, it was confirmed that Azmoun had not sustained damage to his cruciate ligament. His injury, though requiring treatment, is not expected to sideline him for an extended period. The estimated recovery time is less than a month.

Despite the relatively short recovery period, Azmoun is at risk of missing Iran’s next two World Cup qualifying matches in November — away games against North Korea, which are likely to take place in Laos and Kyrgyzstan.

Team Melli currently tops Group A in the third round of FIFA World Cup qualifiers with 10 points, closely followed by Uzbekistan. The top two teams from the group will qualify directly for the finals, while the third-placed team will have to navigate a playoff to secure their spot in the tournament.

Naghsh-e Jahan Stadium: An embarrassment for Iran’s football!

The recent Sepahan match against Shabab Al-Ahli in the preliminary rounds of the AFC Asian Elite League playoffs unfolded at Naghsh-e Jahan Stadium this evening, in Iran’s second-largest football arena. However, despite its grandeur, the stadium’s recent renovation left spectators puzzled.

The Renovation Riddle

As fans gazed upon the pitch, they wondered about the nature of the recent renovations. The once-pristine lawn now bore scars—small patches of grass struggling to survive amid vast expanses of sand and soil. The uneven surface posed both aesthetic and safety concerns, raising eyebrows among players and spectators alike.

A Missed Opportunity

The decision to host the match on this subpar pitch remains a mystery. The AFC’s oversight allowed competitive football to unfold on an unsuitable surface. The blame lies partly with the match commissioner and the AFC Competitions Commission, who failed to ensure optimal playing conditions.

A World Cup Dilemma

Naghsh-e Jahan Stadium is slated to host Team Melli’s first match in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers against Kyrgyzstan. However, the current state of the pitch casts doubt on its readiness. With just a month until kickoff, urgent action is needed. FIFA and AFC must step in to safeguard players from the perils of competing on a makeshift field.

Azmoun’s Swift Impact

In the match, Sardar Azmoun—initially benched—made a dramatic entrance. Within a minute of being substituted, he spun magic on the field. A 180-degree turn inside the 6-yard box left defenders bewildered, and Azmoun clinically found the net. His equalizer showcased his brilliance, even against his national teammates as both Payam Naizmand and Saleh Hardani failed to stop his clinical finish, a trademark Azmoun goal.

Al-Ahli’s Triumph

Despite Sepahan’s efforts, Shabab Al-Ahli emerged victorious, winning 4-1 in extra time. The match will be remembered not only for the scoreline but also for the turf that tested players’ mettle.

As Naghsh-e Jahan Stadium grapples with its identity—majestic yet marred—the football world awaits its transformation. However, it is time that the AFC and FIFA act to stop matches from being played on such a poor surface not even suitable for grazing.

Team Melli players news.

Mohammad Javad Hosseinnejad: Rising Star from Sepahan to Russia

Mohammad Javad Hosseinnejad, the talented midfielder from Sepahan Isfahan, has captured the attention of football enthusiasts in Iran. His outstanding performance during the last season earned him accolades from experts and a coveted spot in Team Melli—the Iranian national football team. Now, he embarks on an exciting journey to Russia, signing a contract with Dynamo Makhach Qala.

The Move to Russia

Hosseinnejad’s departure to the Russian Football League marks a significant milestone in his career. Sepahan, his former club, stands to receive nearly one million dollars for this transfer. Despite Esteghlal’s efforts to entice him to Tehran, the 21-year-old midfielder has chosen to become a “legionnaire” in Russian football—a path taken by several Iranian players seeking international exposure.

Sepahan’s Upcoming Challenge

While Hosseinnejad sets his sights on Russia, Sepahan faces an intriguing challenge. The team will host Shabab Al-Ahli of Dubai at Naghshe Jahan stadium in the qualification round of the AFC Champions League 2024/25 season. What makes this match even more captivating is the potential debut of Team Melli’s striker, Sardar Azmoun, on Iranian soil in a senior club competition. Azmoun, born in Gonbed Kavus, was registered with Sepahan at the youth level but never made a senior appearance for the club, despite representing Team Melli at various age levels.

Shabab Al-Ahli’s Roster

Shabab Al-Ahli boasts another Iranian presence—Saeid Ezzatolahi. Unfortunately, Ezzatolahi is currently on the injury list. The winner of this match will advance to face Al-Gharafa of Qatar in the group stages of the AFC Champions League.

As Hosseinnejad’s star continues to rise, football fans eagerly await his performance in Russia, and Sepahan supporters hope for success in their continental campaign. The beautiful game unites us all, transcending borders and showcasing the talents of players like Mohammad Javad Hosseinnejad.

Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai is the next destination for Azmoun.

After much speculation and anticipation, it appears that Sardar Azmoun’s next football chapter will unfold in the vibrant city of Dubai, rather than in Sevilla, Spain.

While no official announcements have been made by either the player or the clubs involved, numerous news outlets, including both Iranian and Emirati papers, have cited Fabrizio Romano’s account of Azmoun’s move to Shabab Al-Ahli as a reliable source. According to Romano, the Iranian striker is set to undergo a medical examination in Dubai after arriving there next Monday.

This marks the end of Azmoun’s European adventure. Having enjoyed successful years in Russia, particularly with Zenit St. Petersburg, his career trajectory took a downturn upon joining Bayer Leverkusen, where he struggled to make a significant impact. A subsequent loan spell at AS Roma, under the management of Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho, failed to rejuvenate his career. Ultimately, Azmoun found himself surplus to requirements at Leverkusen, with coach Alonso deeming him unfit both mentally and physically for the champion team.

Interestingly, Bayer Leverkusen clinched the Bundesliga title last season even in Azmoun’s absence, going undefeated throughout the campaign.

Shabab Al-Ahli: A Destination for Iranian Talent

Shabab Al-Ahli holds a special place in the hearts of Iranian football enthusiasts. Over the years, it has been a preferred destination for Iranian players seeking new challenges. Notable legends such as Hassan Rowshan and Hassan Nazari showcased their best football in the late seventies while donning the Al-Ahli jersey.

In the early 2000s, another Iranian icon, Ali Karimi, graced the Al Ahli ranks, finishing as the league’s top scorer in the 2003-04 season and earning the title of Asian Footballer of the Year in 2004.

More recently, players like Mehdi Ghayedi and Ahmad Noorallahi have represented Shabab Al-Ahli. The club itself emerged from the merger of two Dubai-based clubs, Al-Ahli and Al-Shabab in 2017. Owned by Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Shabab Al-Ahli boasts a rich footballing history and continues to be a prominent force in the UAE football scene.

The club’s head coach is the Portuguese Paulo Sousa. The former Benfica, Juventus, Borussia Dortmund, and Inter Milan player amongst other Europen clubs also managed teams such as QPR , Leicester City and Poland national team.

Ammad Nourollahi’s injury is more serious than initially thought.

The Team Melli midfielder and current Shabab Alahli player was not included in the team’s list for the match against Al-Bataih. Al-Ahli will face Al-Bataih in the ninth week of the Emirates League. The main line-up and reserve players of Al-Ahli were announced for this game, and Ahmad Nourollahi was not included in the squad to increase the concern about the player’s injury.

Nourollahi seemed to be injured seriously in the last match of Al-Ahli against Al-Ain and was substituted after receiving treatment. Al-Ahli club has not yet officially explained the type and severity of this Iranian player, but the way Nourollahi was treated shows that it is highly likely that his injury is severe and serious and would be out for an extended period. . Al-Ahli has performed well this season with the presence of Nourollahi and the Portuguese coach Jardim’s guidance, and if they win against Al-Battah, they will climb to the top of the standings. If there is no injury concern, Nourollahi is expected to be one of the main players of the Iranian squad in the 2022 World Cup while his absence is very bad news for Carlos Queiroz.

Team Melli will meet England in Doha on the 21st of Nov 2022, seventeen days time from now.

ALI KARIMI Hero of the people.

One of the most popular figures in Iran, the former Team Melli captain and Persepolis forward is being censored by the regime for his views on social issues that are not compatible with the fundamentalist regime’s doctrines.

The official media in Iran was directed to blacklist Ali Karimi which means that he will not be allowed to appear on TV or on the Radio, and not quoted in official publications while the TV has been instructed not to broadcast any images or clips of the footballer.

Adding to that, in true retribution, the regime that has zero tolerance for any shape of expression that questions its principles, ruled to take down any billboards with Ali Karimi’s image.

This all started when Ali Karimi, a known figure in supporting local causes and a charity supporter, urged the people of Iran to channel their “Nazr” towards real charity aid and support causes like medical care of patients who are unable to pay hospital bills and/or medication.

“Nazr” is a religious donation routed to the religious hierarchy. It supports the Mullah’s affairs and provides salaries and payouts to regime loyalists. There is no record that any money from “Nazr” donation has ever been channeled to proper charity or the needy in Iran.

This comment irritated the powerful religious institution, which found it a threat to an established religious practice for centuries. Karimi’s call also alerted many people in Iran to where these donations end up (in the clergy’s pockets). A certain clergy has the audacity to bad mouth, Ali Karimi, on a tribune calling him a Stupid, shameless, and ignorant man who has benefited from the public coffers without returning anything back to society.

The facts and truth are quite different. Ali Karimi made all his fortune outside Iran starting in UAE with Al-Ahli then moving on to Germany with Bayern Munich and finally Qatar. Karimi has been at the forefront of many charity works in Iran including providing tablets for rural students during the covid lockdown.

The voice of Ali Karimi and his popularity has shocked the regime, it has pushed thousands of Iranians to air support for him on social media and denounce the evil clergy who bad-mouthed the Wizard of Tehran”.

Mehdi Ghaedi is heading to Dubai.

According to the Abu Dhabi Sports Network, Mehdi Ghaedi, Esteghlal, and Team Melli forward has signed with Shabab Al-Ahli club of Dubai.

While there is a lack of official and definite confirmation, it seems that Abu Dhabi Sports Network reported TV show “Al Share Al Riyadhi” which previously broke the news of Ahmad Nourollahi’s transfer, has come up with yet another exclusive this time with the breaking of the news of Ghaedi joining Shabab Al-Ahli.

Esteghlal CEO Ahmad Madadi had traveled to the UAE a few days ago for final negotiations with Shabab Al-Ahli officials, but some Emirati media outlets had reported that Esteghlal’s condition for selling Ghaedi was his availability for the Quarter Final match of AFC Champions League game against Al-Hilal, after which Ghadei will be released to Shabab Al-Ahli.

It is said that Esteghlal Club will receive more than $ 2 million by selling Ghaedi. Previously, Persepolis midfielder Ahmad Nourollahi had joined Shabab Al-Ahli.

Shabab Al-Ahli is one of the most successful clubs in the UAE and plays in  ADNOC Pro League. UAE’s premier division. In 2017, the Dubai CSC and Al Shabab merged within Al Ahli FC making Shabab Al Ahli FC. This club has a long track record of acquiring the services of Iranian players from the 70’s. Players such as Hassan Nazari, Hassan Rowshan, Ali Karimi, Javad Kazemian, Milad Meydavoudi, and Mehrzad Madanchi have played for Al-Ahli.

The club belongs to Shaikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Emirates of Dubai, and is practically run by his children.