Tag: U-22

Team Melli U-22 lose against Australia.

Team Melli U-22 faltered against Australia in its second match of the AFC Asian U-22 championship as they went down 1-0 in Muscat’s Royal Police stadium.

The performance of the team was in sharp contrast to the first game against Japan when they showed grit , and skills against the opponents.

Against an organized Australian team , Team Melli U-22 was facing a physically strong , highly organized and motivated players. The Iranians were poorly disciplined tactically and by conduct , played emotionally and insisted on individual plays rather than team work. There was far too many dribbles, even the goalkeeper Biranvand dribbled like his teammates. Despite having a better percentage of ball possession , there was far too many shortcomings in the team to produce a winning performance.

With this result , which qualifies Australia, it looks like Team Melli is in a precarious position. Even a win against Kuwait in the last match of the group , which is by no way a forgone conclusion , might not be enough for the team to make it to the next round.

In the other match of the group , Japan and Kuwait drew 0-0.

Details
Published: 15 January 2014

Muscat: A goal from Petros Skapetis put Australia into the quarter-finals of the AFC U-22 Championship with a 1-0 victory over Iran in Group C at Royal Police Stadium on Tuesday.

The Australian forward latched on to a loose ball on the 56th minute and fired home after Iranian goalkeeper Ali Reza Beiranvand could only parry defender Curtis Good’s header following a corner kick.

And although Iran threw on two more forwards in an attempt to restore parity, they were unable to breakdown a very organised Australian side, who might have scored again through midfielder Stefan Mauk in the final minutes of the match.

“We knew it would be a hard and physical game but I’m happy with the performance of my players” said Australia coach Aurelio Vidmar.

“We need to get a bit more composure, especially through the midfield, as the game got very stretched at times. But overall, I’m very pleased.”

While Iran welcomed back defender Vahid Esmaeilbeigi and midfielder Morteza Pouraliganji to the side from suspension, Australia coach Vidmar swapped almost his entire starting line-up from the 11 that began the 1-0 over Kuwait on Sunday.

“Every team has the same amount of players, our philosophy is to give everyone an opportunity.

“we wanted everyone to each get a full game, and we’ve achieved that so far,” explained Vidmar.

“There’s no first team or second team, I’m just trying to build one team.”

In a tight first half with chances at a premium, one of Vidmar’s changes, striker Adam Taggart, had his side’s first effort on goal inside the first 10 minutes as his free-kick from just outside the penalty area went narrowly over the crossbar.

Taggart was the most likely source of a breakthrough for Australia in the first period and on the 23rd minute he sent another curling shot drifted wide.

In between those strikes by the Australia forward, Mehdi Shiri went close for Iran with a deflected effort that goalkeeper Aaron Lennox pushed out, and a swerving long range effort that was just off target.

Australia came out fired up for the second half, however, and in the first minute after the restart Andrew Hoole’s penetrating run down the right side was followed by a shot from the right winger that needed to be punched clear by an alert Beiranvand at his near post.

Centre-back Good was then forced to leave the field for treatment to a nasty gash above his eye following a clash of heads, and with the big centre-back off the field, Iran had their best chance to open the scoring as Kaveh Rezaei slipped in Benham Barzay for a low shot from inside the penalty area that was parried wide by Lennox in the Australia goal.

But with Good back on the field sporting a mass of white gauzing around his injured forehead, it was Australia who took the lead.

Awarded a free-kick in a central area on the 55th minute, Hoole skimmed a low shot off the turf that was pushed out for a corner by the Iranian custodian.

But from the resulting set-piece, a hurtling blur of bandages in the form of Good powered a header on target that Beiranvand could only parry as far as the waiting Skapetis, who hooked the ball into the gaping net.

In a bid to seek an equaliser, Iran brought on strikers Arsalan Motahhari and Seyed Miri and it was the former who had his side’s best chance with a low shot into the arms of a sprawling Lennox following good work from Rezaei.

Australia dominated possession for the remains of the second half, although Motahhari had time for another effort at the death but this time his shot from the edge of the penalty area went wide of Lennox’s right-hand post.

With a lengthy seven minutes of stoppage time added due to Good’s extended treatment, Maulk could have put the game to bed, but a good save from Beiranvand prevented the second half substitute from doubling the advantage.

“It was a physically demanding game and we can say a game of small differences. Australia is a great team, very organised with a fighting spirit,” said Iran coach Human Afazeli.

“A big difference was that Australia used almost 11 new players, and we couldn’t do that as we have only 20 players in our squad and three of them are goalkeepers.

“I want to praise my players, they showed fantastic effort. I am satisfied with their efforts, they did a good job.”

[divider]

AFC U-22 CHAMPIONSHIP 2013
FINAL ROUND

14-01-2014 17:00 GST
Royal Oman Police Stadium, Muscat, OMAN
[Attendance]     250
IRAN     0     1     AUSTRALIA
0      Half time    1
MVP: SHAHRYAR SHIRVAND
Referee:     KIM JONG HYEOK (KOREA REPUBLIC)

Lineups
IRAN: 1 ALI REZA SAFARBEIRANVAND , 2 VAHID ESMAEILIBEIGI , 3 SHAHRYAR SHIRVAND (C), 5 MOHAMMAD AMIN HAJMOHAMMADI, 13 AHMAD ZENDEHROOH, 23 MEHDI SHIRI [16 FARDIN ABEDINI 62′], 6 MORTEZA POURALIGANJI, 14 SHAHAB KARAMI, 19     BEHNAM BARZAY [11 SEYED PEYMAN MIRI 71′], 20 EHSAN PAHLAVAN [17 ARSALAN MOTAHHARI 84′], 9 KAVEH REZAEI
HUMAN AFAZELI (Head Coach)

AUSTRALIA: 1 AARON LENNOX ; 3 CURTIS GOOD (C),4 CONNOR CHAPMAN , 6 JOSHUA BRILLANTE , 8 RYAN EDWARDS [17 JAKE BARKER-DAISH 80′],13 SCOTT GALLOWAY, 16    REECE CAIRA,21 ANDREW HOOLE, 23    PETROS SKAPETIS [9 DYLAN TOMBIDES 90′], 10 ADAM TAGGART [7 STEFAN INGO MAUK 86′], 11 CONNOR PAIN
AURELIO VIDMAR (Head Coach)

Yellow Cards: CHAPMAN (AUS) 23′, HAJMOHAMMADI (IRI) 38′, GOOD (AUS) 49′, KARAMI(IRI) 78′

[divider]

Group C

 

Teams
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
PTS
AUSTRALIA 2 2 0 0 2 0 2 6
JAPAN 2 0 2 0 3 3 0 2
I.R. IRAN 2 0 1 1 3 4 -1 1
KUWAIT 2 0 1 1 0 1 -1 1

Iran and Japan play a thriller in Muscat.

Muscat
In a thrilling encounter Iran U-22 and Japan U-22 drew 3-3 in the Group C of AFC Asian U-22 championship.played in Oman Police stadium in Muscat.

Iran started the scoring through Behnam Barzay with a nice finish on he 5th minute, before Japan quickly responded with the equalizer two minutes later. Japan then took the lead on the on the half hour  for the teams finished the first half and going into dressing room with Japan leading 2-1

In the second half Kaveh Rezaei scored two quick goals , one from a penalty on the 49th minute , then the young Saipa forward scored a world class goal in the 55th, when he escaped his two markers while his back was to the goal and made a half turn before shooting in the upper left corner of the Japanese goal

Japan equalized 10 minutes later through Nakajuma by aiming at the far corner of Biranvand’s goal.

With this result , both teams shared the points while Australia managed to beat Kuwait 1-0 earlier in the day to lead the table with 3 points.

The match highlighted the two different schools of their respected countries football. The Japanese , organized , systematical and emphasis on teamwork, while Iran

came out as physically stronger , individually skillful and offensive minded. Iran managed to have control of the ball despite the Japamses trying to crowd the midfiled. Human Afazeli did a fine job varying the  tactics of the team from some free flowing football to route one , confusing the opponents and pressing them hard.

The fast paced game was full of action and to the credit of the two teams, none was content with a draw and both played offensive football. The Iranians were caught off guard several times by their over emotional football with some uncalled for tackles resulting in accumulation of yellow cards, the worst of was the one awarded to goalkeeper Biranvand.

While Iran was offensively strong , there was a few question marks on the goalkeeper and the defense. Biranvand , who was brilliant for his club in the league was guilty of ball watching on two of the 3 Japanese goals.

Match highlights

4′  Shehab Karami wastes a brilliant chance to score.
6′  Barzay scores  from a nice pass from the left 1-0
8′ Harakawa scores on the first Japanese offense. Poor covering from Biranvand left him ball watching 1-1

16′  Hajmohammadi shoots wide over the bar in front of an open goal from Kveh Rezaei nicely executed corner kick.
24′ Iismaelzadeh hits the bar after a string of beautiful passes.
30′ Japan scores after afrom and a brilliant individual run. Japaneses scorer passed Iran defenders with ease.

49′ Rezaei scores from a penalty 2-2
55′ fantastoc goal  by Kaveh Rezaei with 180 degree turn  shots to the ceiling of Japan’s , world class goal 3-2
56′ Shariyar Shirvand blopcs what seemed to be a certain Japan goal.
62 Pahlavan , the substitute , hits a ferocious shoot which the Japanese keeper parries with difficulty. .
65′ Japan scores. A diagonal  ball  from the left , leaves Biravand standing still watching the ball into the net.

 

 

JAPAN – IRAN
3 – 3

Half time score 2-1

12 January 2014
1st AFC Asian Championship
Royal Oman Police Stadium , Muscat
Attendance : 304

Referee:FAHAD JABER AL-MARRI (QATAR)

Scorers
BEHNAM BARZAY(Iran) 7′, HARAKAWA RIKI (Japan) 9′ , ASANO TAKUMA 30′ , KAVEH REZAEI 40′(Pen)& 55′, NAKAJIMA SHOYA 66′

Lineups
JAPAN    
1 KUSHIBIKI MASATOSHI ; 2 KAWAGUCHI NAOKI (13 YAJIMA SHINYA 60′), 3 YOSHINO KYOHEI,5 NISHINO TAKAHARU (C),6 YAMANAKA RYOSUKE , 7 HARAKAWA RIKI ,8 ISHIGE HIDEKI (4 MATSUBARA KEN 60′),9 SUZUKI, 10 NAKAJIMA SHOYA,16 ASANO TAKUMA (14 ARANO TAKUMA 78′), 20 UEDA NAOMICHI

EGURAMORI (Head Coach)

IRAN    
1 ALI REZA SAFAR BEIRANVAND ,3 SHAHRYAR SHIRVAND (C),5 MOHAMMAD AMIN HAJMOHAMMADI, 23 MEHDI SHIRI, 16 FARDIN ABEDINI, 13 AHMAD ZENDEHROOH, 10 AFSHIN ESMAEILZADEH (20 EHSAN PAHLAVAN 54), 14 SHAHAB KARAMI, 11 SEYED PEYMAN MIRI(17 ARSALAN MOTAHHARI 71′), 19 BEHNAM BARZAY,9 KAVEH REZAEI

HUMAN AFAZELI (Head Coach)

Yellow Cards:

Japan [1]: Matsubara 77′

Iran [6]: Abedini 21′, Shirvand 44′, Rezaei 55′, Shiri 86′, Biranvand 87′, Motahhari 90+1′

[divider]

the-afc.com

Muscat: An early contender for AFC U-22 Championship goal of the tournament from Shoya Nakajima was the pick of the bunch in a high-scoring encounter between Japan and Iran that ended in a 3-3 tie in their Group C fixture at Royal Police Stadium on Sunday.

Both sides were off the mark before the game had even reached the 10 minutes mark with Benham Barzay’s opener for Iran quickly nullified by a reply from Riki Harakawa.

Takuma Asano then put Japan ahead five minutes before the interval as the action continued at a furious pace.

The break did nothing to calm an appetite for goals with Iran striker Kaveh Rezaei bagging a brace within 10 minutes of the restart to restore Iran’s lead before Nakajima’s long range strike capped off the scoring in a thrilling contest.

“It was a tough but open game, we both scored a lot of goals and conceded a lot,” said Japan coach Makoto Teguramori, whose side will face Kuwait in his side’s next fixture on Tuesday.

“However, considering the lack of preparation, the ability of my side to score and give a tough game, was a positive factor.

“In terms of goals conceded we will need to make adjustments. My players had a good feeling and as we play more we’ll improve. The Iran coach said this was his B team, I don’t think it was a B team at all!”

Iran flew out of the blocks in the opening minutes, swarming over a tentative Japan right from the kick-off and it took forward Rezaei just four minutes to impose himself on the game.

He first played in Shahab Karami who blazed over, before playing a part in the move that led to Barzay’s opener, with the forward finding himself with space to turn and shoot in the penalty area with Japan’s defence all at sea in the seventh minute.

The goal shocked the young Blue Samurai into action as Iran’s lead lasted just two minutes as Harakawa stepped inside two challenges on the edge of the penalty area before curling the ball into the corner past an unsighted Ali Reza Beiranvand who was left motionless on his line by the ball’s vicious swerve.

From then on the match opened up into a pattern of pulsating back and forth attacks from both sides.

Nakajima shot wide when played through just after the 20 minute mark, while Iran reposted almost immediately with a deft combination between Afshin Esmaeilzadeh and Seyed Miri that resulted in the former slamming a shot against Masatoshi Kushibiki’s crossbar from 16 yards out.

With both sides attacking at will, space began to open up at the back and as Iran pushed forward in numbers, the ball broke to Asano who found himself one-on-one with Beiranvand and he clipped adroitly over the goalkeeper to give Japan the lead.

Musashi Suzuki had a good chance to add a third goal when put through on goal with under 10 minutes of the half remaining but the midfielder was denied by the Iranian custodian who dived bravely at his feet to avert the danger.

The second half continued much the same as the first period with both teams attacking with gusto and it took just two minutes after the restart before Iran restored parity as a coming together in the box between Japan captain Takaharu Nishino and Rezaei resulted in a penalty which the latter coolly converted high to the goalkeeper’s left.

And the irrepressible Rezaei then put his side in front after 55 minutes with a powerful shot from just inside the penalty area that curled into the top corner.

Although the Iranian number nine’s strike was a fine effort, it only took 10 minutes for the diminutive Nakajima to go one better with a spectacular shot from distance that arrowed into the top corner.

With the furious tempo the match had enjoyed for over an hour, it was understandable that the pace began to drop as a raft of substitutions took place, although there was still time for one final chance as a free-kick from substitute Shinya Yajima flew just inches wide of Beiranvand’s right-hand post.

“I think it was an acceptable start for our team, especially against a competitive and well-organised team like Japan, considering this was the first time this lineup played together,” said Iran coach Afazeli Human, who will take on Australia on Tuesday.

“For us, I think, the good starts we made to both halves are something we can build on. We didn’t come to draw, we wanted to win and so did Japan, that’s why it was so open.”

AFC U-22 Championship: Group C Preview

 

Published: 12 January 2014

Muscat: Japan coach Makoto Teguramori is banking on his young side developing a winning habit starting at the AFC U-22 Championship with victory in the competition a crucial step on the road to future success.

Boasting a flawless record in qualifying in which Teguramori’s attack-minded Blue Samurai were second highest scorer, the former Vegalta Sendai coach emphasised the significance of the 16-team tournament to his side’s development.

“Since the first day I was nominated for this position, I have always said this tournament was important for the development of our young generation of players,” said Teguramori.

Japan are placed in arguably one of the toughest groups of the tournaments alongside Australia, Iran and Kuwait, with Teguramori’s team beginning their campaign against Iran at the Royal Oman Police Stadium in Group C on Sunday.

“It’s extremely important for my young team to compete against other strong nations,” said Teguramori. “It’s important to win for the team’s attitude to prepare and win. It’s important to get into the experience of winning tournaments.

“As this squad consists of a generation that didn’t play as well at U-19 level, so players want to pay back those emotions from unsuccessful tournaments by showing a fighting spirit in this tournament.”

Teguramori’s opposite number, Iran coach Afazeli Human, was full of admiration for his opponents, highlighting the superior make-up of their side.

“At the moment, the Japan football team has a mixture of individual quality and teamwork. That is the possible way to grow, when you have a mixture,” said Human.

“If you have good individuals not in the team that is a problem. If you have a good team but no top individuals, that’s also a problem. Japan has both great individuals and a great team.”

Human’s team earned their place at the AFC U-22 Championship by winning their qualifying group, and although their squad in Muscat lacks some of the stars that led them to the finals, Iran will have the striking talents of forward Kaveh Rezaei who top-scored for the side during qualification. However, they will have to make do without defender Vahid Esmaeilbeigi and midfielder Morteza Pouraliganji against Japan due to suspension.

“We are here to stay in Oman as long as possible,” added Human. “We will also focus on the quality and mentality of the players – the most important thing in this tournament is to get the last steps for a pro’s life.”

In the opening game of Group C, Australia will take on Kuwait with coach Aurelio Vidmar expecting his Olyroos squad to savour the opportunity of top level international fixtures.

“It’s important to have competitive games, we don’t play enough international football at youth level, so for us this tournament is very important,” said Vidmar.

“We expect tough games and we’re going to be competitive. We’re here to get experience into young bodies and young careers, that’s the most important thing for us. The more games they get the better.

“We haven’t had the opportunities for camps or friendly games throughout the year. It’s not going to be perfect, but if the attitude is right, then we can go a long way.”

Kuwait’s coach Jorvan Vieira concurs with his Australian counterpart that the AFC U-22 Championship provides a good opportunity for competitive matches for his youthful charges.

Vieira has already tasted national team success in an AFC continental competition after guiding Iraq to a famous victory at the 2007 AFC Asian Cup and will be hoping his side that includes two members of his senior side, forward Faisal Al Harbi and defender Fahad Al Hajeri, can get the team off to winning ways in Muscat.

“Our target is the same: provide real experience for the young players,” he said.

“Players only get real experience when they are exposed to, and participate in, matches and according to the results they can get.”

Sadeghian & Mosalman suspended by IRIFF

Payam Sadeghian and Mohsen Moslaman two of the most promising Iranian players are suspended indefinitely by IRIFF.

The suspension was a swift reaction by the football federation that was initiated and enforced by Ali Kaffashian after the controversy in Kish island after pictures of members of Team Melli U-22 were published in the social media showing them smoking the Shisha in the hotel they were accommodated in.

Sadeghian and Mosalman were both excluded from the U-22 squad competing in the AFC Asian U-22 championship that will start in Muscat in a few days, while Kaffashian instructed Carlos Queiroz not to select the two mentioned players in any Team Melli squad including the upcoming World Cup.

Three other personal associated with the camp. The team manager ,  doctor , and  the masseur were also given an  indefinite suspension from all football activities for their role in this misdemeanor. It is not clear what was the role of the 3 officials in this incident. There is another player involved whose name was not mentioned at this time.

Both of the Persepolis players , who have been instrumental in Persepolis recent good run , were hopeful of making the final list of Carlos Queiroz for the World

Cup , but this incident has badly hurt their chances and once again highlighted the indiscipline that is rife in Iranian football especially at the younger level. Sadeghian, a a player who is no stranger to controversy , has previous misdemeanors on and off the field , including several public statements in the press criticizing Team Melli players selection process and indirectly accusing Queiroz for ignoring his performance and goals in the league.

Reacting to the news of the suspensions, Rouyanian , Persepolis club CEO , quickly came to the aid of his players and denied that his players were guilty of smoking during the camp in Kish and accused the federation of trying to sabotage his team ahead of the local derby. Rouyanian, no stranger himself to controversy and rhetoric said that the IRIFF had no concrete evidence and came up with a decision in haste without examining the evidence.  Rouyanian did not offer any concrete evidence himself in the defense of the players nor did he elaborate on his serious accusation against the IRIFF.

Team Melli U-22 Squad finalized

FFIRI announced the final list of 23 players forming Iran’s squad to the AFC Asian U-22 Cup to be held in Muscat, Oman.

Team Melli U-22 is in Group C with Japan , Australia and Kuwait.

After the return of the team from Kish Island training camp and following playing a friendly match against South Korea, Alireza Mansourian, the team’s head coach , announced his resignation while the first choice replacement Human Afazeli has finally responded positively to his appointment after agreeing terms with the football federation. Afazeli pleaded with all concerned to support the team .

The announced list is missing a few significant players , like Payam Sadeghian , Mohsen Mosalman , Sardar Azmoun and Alireza Jahanbakhash. These players were not released by their clubs. However, the positive that emerged is that the core of this squad have already been playing together at different age levels teams for Iran/

The matches schedule

2-Jan-14 19:00 C Japan Iran Royal Oman Police Stadium, Muscat
14-Jan-14 19:00 C Iran Australia Royal Oman Police Stadium, Muscat
16-Jan-14 16:30 C Iran Kuwait Seeb Stadium, Seeb

 

The Squad

  Player Club
1 Afshin ESMAELZADEH Birama (POR)
2 Ahmad ZENDEROH Mes Kerman
3 Alireza BIRAVAND Naft Tehran
4 Amin JAHAN-ALIAN Sepahan Esfahan
5 Amir ABEDZADEH  Perspolis
6 Amir Arsalan Mottahari Moghavamat Tehran
7 Ammar NIK-KAR Parseh Tehran
8 Behnam BARAZAI Rah Ahan
9 Ehsan PAHLAVAN Sepahan Esfahan
10 Fardin ABEDINI Gostarish Tabriz
11 Farzin KAROUSIAN Mes Songon
12 Kaveh REZAEI Saipa
13 Masoud RIKI Fajr Sepasi
14 Mehdi SHIRI Malavan Anzali
15 Mehdi TARMI Iranjavan Bushehr
16 Mohammad Amin HAJ-MOHAMMADY Naft Tehran
17 Mohammadreza KHANZADEH Zob Ahan
18 MohammadVahid ESMAEILBEIGI Mes Kerman
19 Morteza POURALIGANCHI Naft Tehran
20 Navid KHOSH-HAVA Tractorsazi Tabriz
21 Peyman MEERI Parseh Tehran
22 Shahab KARAMI Foolad Khuzestan
23 Shahriyar SHIRVAND Tractorsazi Tabriz

U-22 coach Mansourian resigns, Afazeli to take over.

Alireza Mansourian has resigned as the coach of Team Melli U-22, days before the start of the AFC Asian U-22 Cup.

Human Afazeli will take over from Mansourian , according to FFIRI officials, although Afazeli has said that a deal has not been set as he needs to discuss terms with the football federation.

Mansourian , who had a long meeting with the federation officials on Tuesday , emerged from the meeting announcing his resignation because of the difficulties he has recently faced in his job. The main reason as quoted by the ex-Esteghlal midfielder was the reluctance of club coaches in releasing players for the U-22 camp or friendly games. “Under such conditions, I don’t see myself continuing coaching the team “ Mansourian was quoted

It is also believed that Mansourian was not very happy about the disclosure of the news that the Portuguese coach Vingada is on the brink of signing a 3 years contract to coach the Olympic team. That move by FFIRI was seen as a stabbing in the back by Mansourian who always thought that he is in charge of the Olympic or U-23 team despite the non-existence of an official contract.

Human Afazeli has acted as the coach for the Olympic team on emergency basis before. The last time Afazeli was in charge, he relinquished the task to Mansourian during the qualification rounds for the London Olympics.

Afazeli is an experienced  young coach who has worked with several top coaches in Iran , including Branko Ivankovic. Afazeli was also the assistant coach of Team Melli during Daei’s era.

 

Puma to provide Team Melli U-22 kit.

The German sportswear manufacturer PUMA will be supplying Team Melli U-22 kits in the forthcoming AFC U-22 championship to be hel in the middle of next January in Muscat Oman.

In a statement to ISNA , the Vice-President of FFIRI  Seyed Hadi Ayatollahei , announced the deal and said that the U-22 team is not included in the contract with main Team Melli kit supplier UHLsport. PUMA is the supplier to many World Cup finalist teams and was the supplier of the kit in Iran’s last world Cup appearance in Germany 2006.

PumaAyatollahei also dismissed fears expressed by Alireza Mansourian about the recruitment of a foreign coach for the Omid Team.

 

The FFIRI official emphasized that the coach will be assigned to the U-23 team or the B team and not the U-22 which will remain under Mansourian for the foreseeable future. “He should focus on his job as we have no plan on changing him, The coach we are trying to recruit is fo another TEam Melli age rank , which is the Omid or U-23” Ayatollahei said.

Ayatollahei also confirmed that the current Team Melli sponsor , a Car dealer , has been having difficulty sticking to its

contractual obligations. A last minute sponsorship deal was struck between the FFIRI and a small company that deals in importing foreignluxury cars to Iran , in what seemed like a surprise move. The deal was questioned by many observers, and it does not come as a surprise that the sponsoring company has difficulty in paying its commitment. Ayatollahei said that a last warning was given to the sponsor to respect its obligations. “Failure by the sponsor to carry out its contractual obligation will force us to cancel the contact and look for a new sponsor”

 

 

Mehdi Mahdavikia appointed as Youth teams Manager

Ex-Team Melli Captain and recently retired Perspolis player , Mehdi Mahdavikia has been appointed as the Manager for Youth level Teams. Mahdavikia who has accompanied the U-17 team in the FIFA U-17 World Cup in UAE , has worked extensively with  Ali Doustimehr and was instrumental in arranging the camp in Germany before r the tournament .Mahdavikia

Mahdavikia’s appointment was announced by Mehdi Nabi , the Secretary General of the FFIRI.

Mahdavikia will start his work immiditely and his first assignment is to arrange a training camp for Iran’s U-22 team which will be participating in the inaugural AFC  Asian U 22 championship which will be held in Muscat Oman.i