IRAN - uae (asia cup)

[Doctor DOOM]

Fantastic game by the team. Aside from a few instances, which are a part of football, I think our ‘B’ team has nothing less than our main squad. In fact they had quite a few notches above the main team in some zones.
They showed great adventure and offensive zest. Perhaps partly becoz they knew the result wouldn’t have mattered. But even then, I think they did show great interest to go forward and attack. They showed variation, some really nice passing and combinations.


1- The players that really stood out for me were:

- Afshin, who was a live-wire and a constant threat with his energy, running and pace as well as technique. And I thank Ghotbi for starting with him, allowing him to strut his stuff in front of the whole world.

- Md. Nouri, who showed some great passing and combinations, also brought in variation and options for other midfielders to put pressure on the opponents. And his goal was just the icing on the already delicious cake of his. Great game.


- Surprisingly, Hajsafi, who apart from a couple of occasions, did handle the attackers well, saved a dangerous chance and had some really nice interceptions and moves. I think ghotbi did the right thing to start with him for this game, allowing him to build his confidence and get settled into the post.

- Hadadifard was another star player who showed great vision and some magnificent passing. Not to forget his beautiful attempt at the goal which was a class above asia with trapping the ball in the air and shooting it on the volley.

- Talebi was an absolute R.O.C.K. in the defense. Superb defense by him. He was head and shoulders above even the likes of hosseini and aghili, the TM starters. He was almost flawless. Loved his game too.

- Ando was … well, ando. An extreme amount of work rate, helping out everywhere in the team and a marvelous through pass for the third goal. Him getting the M.O.M. was long overdue.
I just wish he was subbed out by 60 or so, to allow some recovery and rest for the Saturday game

- Gholami’s hard running and physical battles shd not be forgotten either. He really ran himself to the ground for the sake of the team and that is what great “team-players” are made of. And for all his efforts, I think he deserved to score that goal, where he hit the bar twice in a row. Nevertheless, he gets a huge thumbs up from me.


Now, to the other “good” performers:
- Rezaei, who replaced the lackluster shojaei and brought more life & pace to our already exciting offense. He had a hand in all 3 goals, which shows his great form. But what a stupid, senseless & foolish thing to do to get an absolutely unnecessary yellow!! What the hell was he thinking?
Another negative for rezaei was how selfish he got near the end where he had nowroozi all alone and free, but dilly dallied with the ball for hours (it seemed), till he decided to pass (too late) to allow the defenders to catch up and intercept the pass! He had shown this selfish tendencies before too.

- Heidari was pretty good in offense and acceptable in defense as well. Had some great combos with rezaei too. But some of his crosses were just TOO LOW for my taste. Many of these were met by the first defender and that means he shd have flighted the ball slightly more, to reach his mates.


- Gordan hardly had much to do except some 3-4 occasions, among which he stopped two great shots and another couple of crosses, but had a bad slip in one of the shots that he needs to work on. I put it on first time jitters and nothing that cant be remedied.


And the poor performers:

- Shojaei , once again proved the point that he just isn’t in form. Not even when they hand him the captain’s armband!!!!!! Very little contribution and very rightfully subbed ASAP.

- Bengar had some really scary moments and almost got himself red carded! I wonder was he worth Montazeri or other defenders in the league? I hope he gets rooted to the bench till the end, coz I am not comfortable with him playing out there.

Both Nosrati and Nowroozi came in late, so I cant rate them. But Nowroozi was unlucky not to get the ball from Rezaei for the 3rd goal.



2- I liked hajsafi’s sub which allows him to get some rest for the Saturday game.


3- stupid ref was totally out of his mind to give a yellow to afshin for merely going for the ball. I blame the ref for naively falling for the uae keeper’s hysterionics. That ball was clearly nobody’s and the striker has full right to go for it. Even the eurosports’ comm’s exclaimed on the card and sending off. Stupid, idiotic ref
Thank god we didn’t bring in too many main players as this idiot would have done much damage to us

[Ali Chicago]

Right on doc. Thanks for all that typing. I agree with everything you wrote. I think you are lil tough on Rezaie and Haydari. I think they were the one who cranked up the engine in the second half (but we know you have very high standards).

I have nothing to say but Kudos to Ghotbi. It is called BALLS to starts 6 new guys in the Asian cup. I wouldn't have even dreamed the man has balls to sit Nekoo and pull Shojaie out. By doing this, he turned the oven under the 11 starters and showed them , hey if you don't perform, I have the guts and subs to replace you. I think we will see a renewed Nekoonaam now against Korea.

Today we witnessed the birth of a superstar in the Caliber of Ali Karimi and maybe even more in Arash Afshin. The man has technique, desire, height, vision, game reading. He got it all, I don't beleive in god, but if he/she/it exists, I hope this kid doesn't get injured and ruin his career.

We should write books about Ghotbi, we should really do. This man is amazing. What Ghotbi did today (by palying subs and creating a positive competition atmosphere) was what Branko should have done with the TM in 2004-2006. I am also amazed and thankful for the atmosphere he has created in the TM. Little things that we don't notice. Addition of Karim Bagheri, is something that people dont' notice. But in order to be successful 1000 little things needs to be done and Ghotbi did them all (well a large number of them). Crossing off Ali Karimi and Farhand Majidi when he felt those guys aren't hungry or harmonious enough was another example of right things Ghotbi did.

I don't know what happens on Saturday against Korea. Gods of soccer are cruel at times, and maybe we dont' go through Korea, but this team is the basis of our TM for the next 3-4 years at least.

Thanks you Ghotbi, thank you players. Thank you Ali Mansoor, Amoo Asghar Hajiloo and thousand unknows faces behind the TM. You all brought pride, happiness to me as a football fan after a very long time. THANK YOU again.

[Doctor DOOM]

ali jan, thanks for the kind words.

it is not a matter of high standards, but my remarks were about the kind of UNNECESSARY foolish behavior by rezaei that may come to haunt us later. he shd have acted more responsibly. this is not only about him. it's about the team and the team may need his services later on.

aside from this and his selfish moment, I am full of praise for him. the thing is if he had a couple of technical problems, then I would have let it slide.
but when as a player you are doing so marvelously, it is rather upsetting to see such players commit such basic, imminently AVOIDABLE mistakes.


Same thing for Haidari, who kept on hitting low flying crosses that led to nowhere. a more intelligent player, after seeing his first 2-3 low crosses failing, would obviously flight it a bit higher. the mark of a great player is that he adapts/fine-tunes his skills during the game to get better results.
but he didnt! he still kept at the same height and got nothing out of them!

but both players made up for these and had a very good game, nonetheless.

**************

secondly, I wouldnt agree with the "having balls" part. I would have agreed with "intelligent & wise". but this was not based on courage or anything.
simply becoz :
1- we had already advanced AND topped the group.
so we had absolutely nothing to lose. even if we had lost by 63-0

2- given the tight schedule, any coach would have done this to keep his main selection fresh for the QF game.

so anything but this decision would have been utterly suicidal and dumb.

**************

third ... although I dont want to stretch this "ballsy" matter too far, but you have to admit it doesnt really take "balls" to bench low performing players like shojaei. I think the more correct term would be "wise and righteous".

"ballsy" would be benching nekounam against south korea. now, if this happens, then I would agree with you. but what are the chances of this happening, according to you?

**************

I agree with you on afshin and the issue of competition among the squad.
(however, this doesnt exactly tally well with shojaei's starting games!)

**************

also may I suggest you add Ali Daei to the list of ppl you praised and appreciated. coz some of these players were brought in by Daei. Like rezaei, khalatbari, ansarifard, ...

[Adesor Vafaseya]

also may I suggest you add Ali Daei to the list of ppl you praised and appreciated. coz some of these players were brought in by Daei. Like rezaei, khalatbari, ansarifard, ...

ansarifard was brought in by Ghotbi I thought. Can't recall him ever being called up by Daei. Not sure though...

[Doctor DOOM]

no, it was Daei.


and while on the subject of forwards, let me say I still think we are under-utilizing our forwards by playing a single forward.
the very same gholami with another forward playing closer to him (different from having wingers), would fare much better than this.






and to drive this point home, let me go back to today's first goal.
cross lands for gholami and he heads it against the bar.
ball comes back to him, but he is pushed from behind by the defender (*) ... and still he manages to head the ball and hit the bar again.
lets pause here and discuss Afshin's characteristics.

I dont know how many of you ppl follow foolad's games, but I try to watch it as often as possible and can tell you this with certainty that afshin, this season has shown magnificent pace, energy and presence of mind to go after even the near-dead balls that almost 95% of forwards/wingers dont bother to chase. and he has scored quite a few on these lost-cause or dead balls (he did it in Omid team also).
this could be due to Jalali's teachings or afshin's youth and extreme energy that enables him to chase such balls.

now, lets go back to the uae game.
afshin, as a force of habit, does not stand far, watching the excitement or wait for gholami to score the goal. irrespective of gholami's first close header and his second one, afshin still rushes forward and as luck has it, gholami's second header also doesnt go in and afshin arrives to tap it in.

now, here's the question; how many wingers would do this, and not stand there watching the action or have the energy or speed to rush in, even for a ball that by all account is either a goal or is handled by the opponents' defense+keeper?
how many have done this in TM games?
NOT MANY.
imagine if shojaei (a constant starter) was playing instead of afshin!!! he'd be standing at the edge of the box (or even farther), watching as a mere spectator.
and the majority of our forwards/wingers would do the same too!!!

why?
apart from habit, it is the distant from the center forward that keeps them away and such events such a RARITY.
many wont even bother coz they have to spend a great amount of energy to reach the scene for a ball that they deem as bad as dead or lost.

having a second forward would mean this happening more and more often. and our forwards actually scoring goals.


********************

(*)
I really wonder, if afshin had not been there to tap the ball in, would this ref have called the foul on gholami, who was clearly charged from behind?
I really doubt it.

[Ali Chicago]

ali jan, thanks for the kind words.

it is not a matter of high standards, but my remarks were about the kind of UNNECESSARY foolish behavior by rezaei that may come to haunt us later. he shd have acted more responsibly. this is not only about him. it's about the team and the team may need his services later on.

aside from this and his selfish moment, I am full of praise for him. the thing is if he had a couple of technical problems, then I would have let it slide.
but when as a player you are doing so marvelously, it is rather upsetting to see such players commit such basic, imminently AVOIDABLE mistakes.


Same thing for Haidari, who kept on hitting low flying crosses that led to nowhere. a more intelligent player, after seeing his first 2-3 low crosses failing, would obviously flight it a bit higher. the mark of a great player is that he adapts/fine-tunes his skills during the game to get better results.
but he didnt! he still kept at the same height and got nothing out of them!

but both players made up for these and had a very good game, nonetheless.

**************

secondly, I wouldnt agree with the "having balls" part. I would have agreed with "intelligent & wise". but this was not based on courage or anything.
simply becoz :
1- we had already advanced AND topped the group.
so we had absolutely nothing to lose. even if we had lost by 63-0

2- given the tight schedule, any coach would have done this to keep his main selection fresh for the QF game.

so anything but this decision would have been utterly suicidal and dumb.

**************

third ... although I dont want to stretch this "ballsy" matter too far, but you have to admit it doesnt really take "balls" to bench low performing players like shojaei. I think the more correct term would be "wise and righteous".

"ballsy" would be benching nekounam against south korea. now, if this happens, then I would agree with you. but what are the chances of this happening, according to you?

**************

I agree with you on afshin and the issue of competition among the squad.
(however, this doesnt exactly tally well with shojaei's starting games!)

**************

also may I suggest you add Ali Daei to the list of ppl you praised and appreciated. coz some of these players were brought in by Daei. Like rezaei, khalatbari, ansarifard, ...

Doc, I still stress on Balls. I remember the nightmare of Branko Era where no matter who we played it was the same god damn players, even my Ammah in Iran knew who 11 starters were and even who the 2 or 3 subs are.

I don't give any credit to any of these to Daie, but I don't want to say anything more (dast roo delam nezar).

When something is solved it seems easy. Let me give you a different scenario. If Iran lost 2-0 to UAE, Iranian papers and Ghotbi's sworn enemies would have ripped him and TM apart. Furthermore, TM spirit before the do or die game on Saturday against S. Korea would have been demolished. So he gambled and he sure has BALLS IMHO.

He double gained with this action. Not only he rested his team, now S.Koreans can't really be sure which players will play and how to set their team up. TV was showing a clip of 10-12 Koreans taking notes, I assume they were the S. Korea staff.

I stress again, today's game turn around in the second half was in large part due to the Rezaie Haydari duo. They remind me of the Kia, Kaabi in the AFC Cup in 2003.

[Adesor Vafaseya]

no, it was Daei.

to be precise Daei doscovered Ansarifard at club level (Saipa) and let him play in first team in 2007.

For TM, Ghotbi was the first to call him up.


anyway it doesnt matter - glad we have him in our squad.

[yashar_fasihnia]

nouri, heydari and rezaei combined very well with nice dribblings and one touch passings.
and with andranik providing support , we managed to turn a lackluster 1st half into a great second half.

hadadifar also did well, but he was a bit alone on the left with neither hajisafi nor nosrati pushing forward as much as heydari.
i liked how he actually stopped the ball and then took a good shot at goal compared to mohd nouri in this game, pejman nouri and nekounam in previous games and wasting good opportunities.

he had some good dribblings and passes also.
i hope we play with nekounam, mohd nouri and temourian as our starters against korea.
rezaei also once again proved he deserves to start.

question is should heydari start as RB or nosrati?

[Hajagha]

Right on doc. Thanks for all that typing. I agree with everything you wrote. I think you are lil tough on Rezaie and Haydari. I think they were the one who cranked up the engine in the second half (but we know you have very high standards).
I have nothing to say Kudos to Ghotbi. It is called BALLS to starts 6 new guys in the Asian cup. I wouldn't have even dreamed the man has balls to sit Nekoo and pull Shojaie out. By doing this, he turned the oven under teh 11 starters and showed them , hey if you don't perform, I have the guts and subs to replace you. I think we will see a renewed Nekoonaam now against Korea.Today we witnessed the birth of a superstar in the Caliber of Ali Karimi and maybe even more in Arash Afshin. The man has technique, desire, height, vision, game readin. He got it all, I don't beleive in god, but if he exists, I hope this kid doesn't get injured and ruin his career.
We should write books about Ghotbi, we should really do. This man is amazing. What Ghotbi did today (by palying subs and creating a positive competition atmosphere) was what Branko should have done with the TM in 2004-2006. I am also amazed and thankful for the atmosphere he has created in the TM. Little things that we don't notice. Addition of Karim Bagheri, is something that people dont' notice. But in order to be successful 1000 little things needs to be done and Ghotbi did them all (well a large number of them). Crossing off Ali Karimi and Farhand Majidi when he felt those guys aren't hungry or harmonious enough was another example of right things Ghotbi did.
I don't know what happens on Saturday against Korea. Gods of soccer are cruel at times, and maybe we dont' go through Korea, but this team is the basis of our TM for the next 3-4 years at least.
Thanks you Ghotbi, thank you players. Thank you Ali Mansoor, Amoo Asghar Hajiloo and thousand unknows faces behind the TM. You all brought pride, happiness to me as a football fan after a very long time. THANK YOU again.

Very good post. I didn't expect from this guy to be honest. Still, I am puzzled what happened and who's behind this team strategy?

The most important thing he had done: He changed the system of the team from an offensive team to a defensive team. Where our fans call for the head of a coach who plays with two DEFENSIVE MID, he started with THREE of them. My jaw was on the ground saying the truth. Very impressive.

Saying that, we are in a poor era of Iranian history talent vise. To go farther, a team needs a few superstars to change the faith of GODS OF SOCCER as you put.

Cheers,

[faraz]

secondly, I wouldnt agree with the "having balls" part. I would have agreed with "intelligent & wise". but this was not based on courage or anything.
simply becoz :
1- we had already advanced AND topped the group.
so we had absolutely nothing to lose. even if we had lost by 63-0

2- given the tight schedule, any coach would have done this to keep his main selection fresh for the QF game.

so anything but this decision would have been utterly suicidal and dumb.

**************

third ... although I dont want to stretch this "ballsy" matter too far, but you have to admit it doesnt really take "balls" to bench low performing players like shojaei. I think the more correct term would be "wise and righteous".
"ballsy" would be benching nekounam against south korea. now, if this happens, then I would agree with you. but what are the chances of this happening, according to you?

Agreed on points 1 and 2 - totally disagree on the bolded part above.

You have greatly underemphasized the politics of the situation - he's one of just two Iranian players who ply their trade in Europe. As much as you'll argue against this, it's simply not as easy as "well, this player is not performing, so he should be benched" - perhaps in a perfect world, but this world is far from perfect.

[zzgloo]

The next generation will be in good hands...
The team, understandably started nervouse.....yet,settled in half way through the first half......
Everybody played great.....
I was particularly Encouraged by :

1- Afshin
2-Talebi
3-M.Noori

They should be given a chance in South Korea game.
...
PS, Rezaie..is like a ( Gaave noh man shir ).... a Cow that gives lot of milk,but kicks the bucket at the end.
With his antiques when he scored against IRAQ...and also against UAE,after the third goal.....etc,etc....
I hope he would not cause problems with his immaturities during the following games.

[Ali Chicago]

Very good post. I didn't expect from this guy to be honest. Still, I am puzzled what happened and who's behind this team strategy?
The most important thing he had done: He changed the system of the team from an offensive team to a defensive team. Where our fans call for the head of a coach who plays with two DEFENSIVE MID, he started with THREE of them. My jaw was on the ground saying the truth. Very impressive.
Saying that, we are in a poor era of Iranian history talent vise. To go farther, a team needs a few superstars to change the faith of GODS OF SOCCER as you put.
Cheers,

Two points Haji Jaan;

As for three Def mids, I think Nekoo is the only one who sits back and Ando and other player being Hadadifar/M Noori/P Noori or whoever they add up to the offense well. This is what conditioning and positive attitude allows a player to do. Play both ways (offense and defense).

On teh general theme of the post, I am glad to see a very knowledgable person in soccer sees things the same way as I do. If I am not mistaken, you were/are coaching a real soccer team, so you know and feel the little details and untangibles that might be hidden from typical fans. I coached for a while and dealt with this issues (in a way way lower level of course which isnt' comparable) and that is why I really appreciate these untangibles.

If Iran would have lost this game to UAE, everyone everybody would have rippped Ghotbi apart (Have you noticed how Neda/Ala, Perspolis, Nakhl is quite!!!???). This man risked and his risked paid off, since he had put the pieces in place earlier so one day he can use them.

GN is a very smart coach but in AFC 2007 he didnt' dare to change the WC2006 for the most part (which was a very difficult thing to do I admit). But Ghotbi in a long term process changed things and had the balls to cross off Ali Karimi and whoever that wasn't ready to become a TEAM MEMBER. Players like Ooladi, Akbarpoor, Fardhad Majidi, even Pezhman Montazeri were crossed off probably in part because they weren't a TEAM PLAYER.

Haji, maybe I am very naive, but I think even with this level of talent this team will beat S. Korea. Again maybe it is wishful thinking, but Iranian player has this trait called "improvising". You only find that in South American players by nature. That is a game changer against a team like Korea/Japan/Australia which are a very mechnical team. Let's see who on Saturday will be on the favorite side of the Gods of Soccer.

[zzgloo]

If Iran would have lost this game to UAE, everyone would have seen how everybody would have rippped Ghotbi apart. This man risked and his risked paied off, since he had put the pieces in place.
GN is a very smart coach but in AFC 2007 he didnt' dare to change the WC2006 for the most part (which was a very difficult thing to do I admit). But Ghotbi in a long term process changed things and had the balls to cross off Ali Karimi and whoever that wasn't ready to become a TEAM MEMBER. Players like Ooladi, Akbarpoor, Fardhad Majidi, even Pezhman Montazeri were crossed off probably in part because they weren't a TEAM PLAYER.
Haji, maybe I am very naive, but I think even with this level of talent this team will beat S. Korea. Again maybe it is wishful thinking, but Iranian player has this trait called "improvising". You only find that in South American players by nature. That is a game changer against a team like Korea/Japan/Australia which are a very mechnical team. Let's see who on Saturday will be on the favorite side of the Gods of Soccer.

While Galenoee was a smart coach, yet his team,during the last Asian Cup, was " Slow ", and too much based on names !!( as you mentioned )....
This team, has less big names, but faster....and has a smoother flow
of the ball among the players......

Darioush Zahab....on his TV program was saying, may be about half of the Iranian Media wants Ghotbi to fail.......
Everybody, very causiously, supporting TM....and saying, " TM is doing great, BUT.... !!! "
He said, Dr.Zolfagharnasab, was saying the reason TM did good on the secound half, was because of The league coaches,emphasysing the secound half to its players,etc,etc....

The amount of nagativities, and bashing against Ghotbi ,are out of this world....
Ghotbi's majort credit has to do with his Tolerance of so much bull shit !!
Ghotbi.who has come from out side, particularly pisses Domestic coaches off....for comeing and getting the job,they think they deserve.....

[Martin-Reza]

Mobali isn't a bad player, he just never managed to be the best Iranian midfielder at any time. Currently I think Hadadifar and Nouri really showed they are simply more useful.

[Doctor DOOM]

He said, Dr.Zolfagharnasab, was saying the reason TM did good on the secound half, was because of The league coaches,emphasysing the secound half to its players,etc,etc....

Dr. Z isnt wrong.
the fact that our players have shown better stamina and fitness that they can perform at their best (or near it) even by the end of the game DOES REFLECT THE WORK OF THE CLUB coaches who have prepared these players during the whole season.

if you remember Zob-Ahan players showed pretty good fitness as their games wore on and maintained form and fitness near the end, while their arab rivals started to slow down and become vulnerable. same thing with sepahan.

aside from ando & pejman, who have always been midfield dynamos, and given the bulk of TM is based on the isfahani teams, I think Dr. Z has a very valid point too.