I guess all this would have been a bit different had it not been for the first minute send-off, which I think was justified after watching the replay and seeing the two footed direct lunge on Ando’s leg. That was the defining moment of the game which changed the whole game around for both teams. But that’s football and for once unsportsmanship and rough plays did get penalized. Anyway, on with the game.
I feel CQ is trying to bring in elements of British style of direct plays with a strong, tall center like Ghazi starting the games. Not that I have anything against this, as we need such a player to make use of our excellent wide players like mahini, heidari, hajsafi, … who can rain crosses into the box. So this is a positive thing.
But Ghazi’s most use was winning most of the aerial battles, shielding the balls and eventually feeding other players coming forward. Reminds me of the old Daei. Although he still lags behind Daei’s accuracy in goal scoring. But overall I am happy we have such a player with such characteristics in the team.
I liked how he used the flanks and insisted on stretching the Bahraini defense that I am sure, had come to close down shop and park the bus in front of the goal for 90+ minutes, relying on quick counters. Although heidari had fluctuating levels of performance but overall I think he did well and was an asset on the flank (even if his shots from the middle were typical defender-shots that usually rock the stadium clock than the net). Our right flank became a live-wire with Mahini’s entry though. This kid will go places if he keeps it up.
I’m also happy we scored an early goal. Which negated the Bahraini game plan of killing the game off with their typical grass rolling and time wasting tactics. In the first half, the more goals we scored, the more they had to come out to get something from the game. Which played into our hands. But I guess by our fourth goal all motivation and hope was squeezed out of them and they just wanted to finish the game with the least goals conceded.
Another pet peev of mine used to be long rangers that I'm happy to see CQ has insisted on it enough to see a decent number of shots from range. and our fourth was the result of this. Great to see our players take shots and try their luck from range. especially since most of them were either on target or whizzed by the post.
Players:
For me, the top player in the first half was Jabbari. He had a hand in the first goal and scored the second and helped fill Karimi’s absence in the middle. So it was a bit strange seeing him get subbed. Especially since Nekounam played a very ordinary game and was clearly below his usual levels.
In the second half Mahini and Ando were the top picks for me. Although as a whole the team played well and I am quite happy with their overall performance.
I feel we have exorcised the ghosts of 2001 game and we have finally put to rest that infernal match. It’s been a decade. But I think this was sweet, sweet revenge for us.
I feel CQ is trying to bring in elements of British style of direct plays with a strong, tall center like Ghazi starting the games. Not that I have anything against this, as we need such a player to make use of our excellent wide players like mahini, heidari, hajsafi, … who can rain crosses into the box. So this is a positive thing.
But Ghazi’s most use was winning most of the aerial battles, shielding the balls and eventually feeding other players coming forward. Reminds me of the old Daei. Although he still lags behind Daei’s accuracy in goal scoring. But overall I am happy we have such a player with such characteristics in the team.
I liked how he used the flanks and insisted on stretching the Bahraini defense that I am sure, had come to close down shop and park the bus in front of the goal for 90+ minutes, relying on quick counters. Although heidari had fluctuating levels of performance but overall I think he did well and was an asset on the flank (even if his shots from the middle were typical defender-shots that usually rock the stadium clock than the net). Our right flank became a live-wire with Mahini’s entry though. This kid will go places if he keeps it up.
I’m also happy we scored an early goal. Which negated the Bahraini game plan of killing the game off with their typical grass rolling and time wasting tactics. In the first half, the more goals we scored, the more they had to come out to get something from the game. Which played into our hands. But I guess by our fourth goal all motivation and hope was squeezed out of them and they just wanted to finish the game with the least goals conceded.
Another pet peev of mine used to be long rangers that I'm happy to see CQ has insisted on it enough to see a decent number of shots from range. and our fourth was the result of this. Great to see our players take shots and try their luck from range. especially since most of them were either on target or whizzed by the post.
Players:
For me, the top player in the first half was Jabbari. He had a hand in the first goal and scored the second and helped fill Karimi’s absence in the middle. So it was a bit strange seeing him get subbed. Especially since Nekounam played a very ordinary game and was clearly below his usual levels.
In the second half Mahini and Ando were the top picks for me. Although as a whole the team played well and I am quite happy with their overall performance.
I feel we have exorcised the ghosts of 2001 game and we have finally put to rest that infernal match. It’s been a decade. But I think this was sweet, sweet revenge for us.
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