In a commanding performance, Team Melli triumphed 4-1 over reigning AFC Asian Cup champions Qatar in a crucial home game in Dubai. This victory gives Iran a significant advantage in their quest to qualify for the FIFA World Cup for the fourth consecutive time.
Key Milestones and Table Standings
The win propelled Iran to the top of Group A with 10 points and a two-goal advantage over Uzbekistan. More importantly, it opened up a crucial six-point gap between the top two teams and the third-ranked side, which could prove decisive as only the top two teams directly qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
This match also served as sweet revenge for Team Melli, who narrowly lost 3-2 to Qatar in the semi-finals of the AFC Asian Cup in Doha.
A Match Full of Drama
The match delivered plenty of excitement for Iranian fans, despite an early scare. Almoez Ali stunned the crowd with a thunderous shot that found the back of Beiranvand’s net, giving Qatar a 1-0 lead. However, Iran quickly regained composure, demonstrating their strength, skill, and resilience to score four goals and secure the emphatic victory.
Positives from the Match
While there were challenges, Team Melli showcased its potential and ability to dominate:
1. Sardar Azmoun’s Resurgence:
After a string of lackluster performances, Azmoun was the standout player, delivering a man-of-the-match performance. He scored twice and assisted the third goal, demonstrating his value to the team. Playing on his club’s home ground, Azmoun’s performance was a timely reminder of his quality and class as a forward.
2. Defensive Agility:
Despite conceding early, Iran’s makeshift defense—missing two key players—showed impressive resilience. They managed to neutralize Qatar’s dangerous forwards, Akram Afif and Almoez Ali, providing little room for further threats.
3. Winning Mentality:
The team displayed a relentless drive to win. Even when leading 3-1, Team Melli pressed forward, securing a fourth goal in injury time. This offensive mindset reflects a growing belief in the squad’s abilities, something that will be crucial as they continue their qualifying campaign.
Areas for Improvement
Despite the impressive victory, there are still aspects that need addressing:
1. Route One Football:
Coach Ghalenoei has relied heavily on the ‘Route One’ tactic, which involves long, direct passes to the forwards. However, this approach has seldom yielded results for Iran, and ironically, Qatar’s opening goal came from a similar tactic. Once Iran shifted to a more creative passing game—utilizing the wings and feeding the ball to power forwards Taremi and Azmoun—they found success. This match proved that Team Melli is far more effective when they focus on building play rather than relying on long balls. Hopefully, Ghalenoei will reconsider his use of Route One football going forward.
2. Discipline Issues:
Iran’s players continue to struggle with discipline. In this match, Mehdi Ghayedi narrowly avoided being sent off for a reckless tackle, and three yellow cards were needlessly conceded by Azmoun, Mohebbi, and Ghayedi. This indiscipline is a worrying trend—Team Melli has accumulated 10 cards (9 yellow, 1 red) in just four matches of the World Cup qualifiers. Such poor discipline could prove costly in future matches, and it’s an issue that requires more oversight from the coaching staff.
3. Lack of Trust in Young Players:
Coach Ghalenoei has spoken of integrating young talent, but his reluctance to give them significant playing time was evident. Promising players like Amin Hezbavi, Javad Hosseinnejad, Yousefi, and Amir Hosseinzadeh were either sidelined or given minimal minutes, while older players like Jahanbaksh and Moghanlou—who have struggled to make an impact—were given preference. If these young players are to develop, they need meaningful opportunities to prove themselves on the big stage.
4. The Ali Gholizadeh Mystery:
The decision to keep Ali Gholizadeh on the bench remains puzzling. His pace and skill could have been crucial in breaking down Qatar’s defense, especially on the flanks. Hopefully, his absence was not due to an injury, as his talent would have made a significant difference.
Looking Ahead
Despite the criticisms, Team Melli’s performance against Qatar was largely positive. However, consistency will be key as they prepare to face North Korea, the lowest-ranked team in their group, and Kyrgyzstan in November. North Korea, while not as formidable as Qatar, will present a different challenge. Anything less than six points in these upcoming matches would be a disappointment for a team with such high aspirations.