The plight of Ali Karimi

[Doctor DOOM]

just what the bloody hell is ghotbi thinking inviting karimi to TM?

during the WCQ's we wanted karimi in the team coz there was IMMEDIATE URGENCY for results.
but now?
what the hell do we have that forces this idiot, ghotbi to get his knees shake and start calling karimi and kia and parvin and hejazi back to TM?
the ACQ's are a walk over. if he cant beat the likes of jordan or syria, then he shd be shot in his hollow head right now.

secondly, the AC is 2 years away and karimi would be 33?
what's the use of a 33 year old when we have dozens of talented but younger players like jamsheedian, kaz, mobali, zareh, nouri, ...?

third, even if we use him, is he going to stay the same for the WCQ's in 2-3 years' time?
hell no.
it's time to get the new crop to find its place in TM and become homogenized.

I think ghotbi is committing a serious crime against our football if he brings back karimi or kia or ... .
enough.
grow a pair, you wimp.
if you cant, then step aside and let others do it right.

[maij]

just what the bloody hell is ghotbi thinking inviting karimi to TM?

during the WCQ's we wanted karimi in the team coz there was IMMEDIATE URGENCY for results.
but now?
what the hell do we have that forces this idiot, ghotbi to get his knees shake and start calling karimi and kia and parvin and hejazi back to TM?
the ACQ's are a walk over. if he cant beat the likes of jordan or syria, then he shd be shot in his hollow head right now.

secondly, the AC is 2 years away and karimi would be 33?
what's the use of a 33 year old when we have dozens of talented but younger players like jamsheedian, kaz, mobali, zareh, nouri, ...?

third, even if we use him, is he going to stay the same for the WCQ's in 2-3 years' time?
hell no.
it's time to get the new crop to find its place in TM and become homogenized.

I think ghotbi is committing a serious crime against our football if he brings back karimi or kia or ... .
enough.
grow a pair, you wimp.
if you cant, then step aside and let others do it right.

I think such calls by Ghotbi truly reflects the poor status of football in Iran. When one single player plays such an imaginary important role in the national team , it either signifies the acute lack of talent in this land or the mistrust & lack of confidence in other player , especially the youngsters. In my opinion it is the latter.

As far as Ghotbi goes , I seriously doubt that he will produce or introduce players in Team Melli the way Daei had recently done or like Mayeli Kohan in all braveness and challenge against all the odds , did in 1996. This guy will pick up Perspolis 's Nowroozi for Team Melli , hardly a fixed player for his own team and at best a very ordinary forward, simply because he feels in the comfort zone with this player due to past acquaintance in the club.

But back to the point, Ali Karimi is just passed his prime in Team Melli. He neither has the legs nor the desire. If only those fools realize this fact , Iranian football may actually progress and produce quality players who can
win trophies and championships instead of bulcrap such as "felon feloon sravare feloon feloone !"

[Hadi]

not only the word plight is not applicable to karimi, but at his 30s, he has been the best Iranian player in the past 2 years playing in Iran.

[Kasra.]

I doubt Karimi will accept Ghotbi's offer to come back to TM.

Furthermore I think we should use this "free" time, untill 2011 to build a squad, who also will be ready for 2014 WC.

Our football is in a downhill, kharaki. This year's league has introduced no new real future prospects plus with the prospects of last few years going backwards (like Hajsafi, Mosalman), we're pretty doomed.

[Martin-Reza]

I wouldn't judge this idea as stupid from the beginning.

If Ghotbi builds a young team during the rest of ACQ and then adds one or the other veteran to that squad, it might be a good mixture.

This of course would only work if the veterans agree not to always start, and in connection with Karimi, I have my doubts his ego will allow that.

What I dislike about this situation is that Ghotbi now gave the initiative to Karimi. It's not a decision of both of them now, but basically only Karimi's.

Thinking about what happened ahead of the KSA game, it might be a very bad situation for TM if Karimi suddenly announces his willingness to return, but Ghotbi either doesn't need him, or, like Daei (I know noone wants to hear that), doesn't think he's physically ready.

Such things should be cleared without involving the public, and when both agree, he should be re-invited. Otherwise public pressure might have an extremely negative effect.

[toofan]

he could be used as a sub.think totti or del piero.

[maij]

I wouldn't judge this idea as stupid from the beginning.

If Ghotbi builds a young team during the rest of ACQ and then adds one or the other veteran to that squad, it might be a good mixture.

This of course would only work if the veterans agree not to always start, and in connection with Karimi, I have my doubts his ego will allow that.

What I dislike about this situation is that Ghotbi now gave the initiative to Karimi. It's not a decision of both of them now, but basically only Karimi's.

Thinking about what happened ahead of the KSA game, it might be a very bad situation for TM if Karimi suddenly announces his willingness to return, but Ghotbi either doesn't need him, or, like Daei (I know noone wants to hear that), doesn't think he's physically ready.

Such things should be cleared without involving the public, and when both agree, he should be re-invited. Otherwise public pressure might have an extremely negative effect.

Sound reasoning , however I personally think that inviting Karimi back to Team Melli , although not disastrous , it will add little value to the team.
I still think that Ghotbi or any other coach at this stage , needs to look forward rather than backward.

[Martin-Reza]

At this point for sure. When he later feels the addition of one or two veterans could be helping his young players for AC, he should consider it. But he shouldn't talk about that now, nor give Karimi a free ticket in advance.

[Doctor DOOM]

Right now, we are NOT under a gun to resort to extraordinary and desperate measures of bringing in over-age players like karimi.

we WERE in such circumstances during the WCQ's and needed IMMEDIATE results. therefore we shd have used whatever means available to us, no matter what age or leaning or personal agenda.

but at present, we are not facing any dire period, no tough competition and certainly nothing immediate. and a wise coach would and shd capitalize on this lull period to instill different strategies, formations, new players, find remedies for key positions and weak spots, and develop/coordinate the present squad.

bringing karimi wont make any difference in outcome of the near future. we shall qualify for the AC and as said earlier, the AC games and WCQ's are far enough for ghotbi to bring in and coordinate new players.

I think ghotbi's doing what IRI and AN do regularly: propose something POPULAR to gain mass support & rise in their popularity, but with no substantive advantage or benefit in reality. and only the lesser informed and color-blind fans fall for this tactic.

instead of karimi, I'd say try jamshidian more often.
karimi wont last till AC or WCQ, but jamshidian will.

[Paradigm]

I agree with the points Dr. Doom has been raising however I don't object to Karimi's invitation considering he is still playing great football in the IPL. Just watched him rip apart Sepahan's defense (which has 3-4 players from TM). Karimi, Khalatbari, Shojaie, and Mobali can and should all be key players for Iran in the Asian Cup 2011. Karimi can be both a leader and a tactical sub in Iran's matches and we do need someone experienced on the team anyway. Didn't France resort to using Zidane in WC '06, while he was 34 years old?

[maij]

Right now, we are NOT under a gun to resort to extraordinary and desperate measures of bringing in over-age players like karimi.

we WERE in such circumstances during the WCQ's and needed IMMEDIATE results. therefore we shd have used whatever means available to us, no matter what age or leaning or personal agenda.

but at present, we are not facing any dire period, no tough competition and certainly nothing immediate. and a wise coach would and shd capitalize on this lull period to instill different strategies, formations, new players, find remedies for key positions and weak spots, and develop/coordinate the present squad.

bringing karimi wont make any difference in outcome of the near future. we shall qualify for the AC and as said earlier, the AC games and WCQ's are far enough for ghotbi to bring in and coordinate new players.

I think ghotbi's doing what IRI and AN do regularly: propose something POPULAR to gain mass support & rise in their popularity, but with no substantive advantage or benefit in reality. and only the lesser informed and color-blind fans fall for this tactic.

instead of karimi, I'd say try jamshidian more often.
karimi wont last till AC or WCQ, but jamshidian will.

Words of wisdom without a doubt , but you really nailed it in your statements that is highlighted.

Frankly , I think Iranian fans in general are not that highly intellectual and informed as the Europeans. Any player who dribbles is considered a messiah and elevated to the heavens. They hardly consider the overall effect of the player in the context of the team.

So, if a person becomes popular in Iran , then the system automatically goes with the wave. Karimi's recent form is a prime and classical example and so was the appointment and sacking of Daei as the coach of Team Melli. Mostly based on popularity rather than deed or merit. Of course Mr. Ghotbi's appoitment is even more of a proof

I would not be surprised if people would call for Azizi to play.

[maij]

I agree with the points Dr. Doom has been raising however I don't object to Karimi's invitation considering he is still playing great football in the IPL. Just watched him rip apart Sepahan's defense (which has 3-4 players from TM). Karimi, Khalatbari, Shojaie, and Mobali can and should all be key players for Iran in the Asian Cup 2011. Karimi can be both a leader and a tactical sub in Iran's matches and we do need someone experienced on the team anyway. Didn't France resort to using Zidane in WC '06, while he was 34 years old?

Ali Karimi , or indeed any player , should never be excluded from Team Melli depending on the situation and circumstances. There has been many examples of an older player being used in a game or two to fill a gap or serve a tactical plan.

The point here is that Ali Karimi has really served his purpose in Team Melli and should NOT be counted upon or forced to be part of the team. There is no question about his skills whatsoever , however , there are lots of questions about his commitment , motivation , communication , stamina and physical condition. No professional coach will select a player based on one single factor.

During his prime , Ali Karimi did not win a single league title with Al Ahli of Dubai , and apart from the gold medal of the Asian games Bangkok 1998 where he was a peripheral player , he never won any tournament for Team Melli ....so , logically speaking , his God given skills in dribbling and passing , has hardly served his teams in the past.

What significant development has happened to Karimi in order to be considered as a key element of Asian Cup 2011 squad? surely , dribbling a few Sepahan defenders (who are all soorakhs to start with , hence the problems we have at Team Melli) does not qualify him for such role.

This is a GREAT opportunity to introduce new blood in Team Melli , else like a typical Iranian football fan , you will be swearing at Karimi like you did against Daei for being in TM while unproductive.

[maij]

Although Taking about Karimi , I believe players like Mahdavikia & Hashemian should also be sidelined and play less significant roles in Team Melli future plans.

[Martin-Reza]

There can be little doubt Karimi currently is one of the most influential players in IPL. And you shouldn't ignore the most influential players, regardless of their age, unless there are issues of discipline or fitness which rule them out.

As for now, it might be an advantage he stepped down, because now some younger players need to overtake responsibility. They'll either prove themselves, or show themselves as not good enough. But once the core of a new team is built, and Karimi manages to continue playing like that, he should be added.

Since I have my doubts about him playing tempo football for 90 minutes, this will only work if he generally agrees on a substitute's role.

[maij]

...... Then comes this last minute sending off in the game against perspolis today.

In all honesty , I did not see foul or handball by Karimi , but then again , I was not as close as Moradi on the pitch. However , Karimi's outburst was uncalled for. He must have swore or used foul language for Moradi to red card him. It seemed to be a straight red card.

Well...well...well.... It seems Ali Karimi is one of those who hardly learns from their mistakes and worst , he is incapable of controlling his emotion.

The Irony of it all , is that he also got into a fight with some Perspolis players after some s***mishes brewed after his send off ...but after leaving then he takes off the jersey of his team , to uncover the jersey of Perspolis !!!! How unprofessional of Karimi ....... BUT THEN AGAIN ..WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IRAN....SO , why am I so surprised .