Indonesia - Iran (11/15/11) - WCQ

[Doctor DOOM]

Good, decent performance (nothing spectacular except a couple of passing sequences) against a defeated and weak opposition. Not much to write home about. And as usual we see off-n-on drops in the quality of the team, which could be attributed to the long journey and tired legs. The Indonesian goal can be considered among such lapses. However our super-lax defending and absence of marking can not be forgotten and ought to be reviewed by the staff.

Ghazi, as usual impressive and so were Meydavoodi & Hajsafi. Mahini recovered from his rare weak performance of a few days back. Khalatbari also made amends for his stupid pass with his penalty and showed lively.
This might force CQ to rethink the ranking in his forwards’ list and I’m afraid Ansarifard may fall even lower in the list with this kind of performance from Meydavoodi.

Jabbari, despite scoring a goal, again for the second game running, failed to show much creativity and playmaking for the team. So he cant be our solution to the team’s creative playmaker in absence of the aging Karimi. Perhaps with return of Hadadifar we may get that missing ingredient back into the team.


Ok. We’ve qualified for the next stage. But CQ be warned. The next round teams are not going to be as weak as this round. So far whatever teams CQ has faced (even those friendlies) have been below our standards and he’s managed to keep away from decent strong teams…. so far.
But he cant forever run from getting seriously tested. We MUST start playing bigger and stronger teams than Palestine and Madagascar if we want to make something of a challenge for the WC slot. I guess in the coming months we’ll see CQ chand marde hallajeh.

[Nokhodi]

Good, decent performance (nothing spectacular except a couple of passing sequences) against a defeated and weak opposition. Not much to write home about. And as usual we see off-n-on drops in the quality of the team, which could be attributed to the long journey and tired legs. The Indonesian goal can be considered among such lapses. However our super-lax defending and absence of marking can not be forgotten and ought to be reviewed by the staff.

Ghazi, as usual impressive and so were Meydavoodi & Hajsafi. Mahini recovered from his rare weak performance of a few days back. Khalatbari also made amends for his stupid pass with his penalty and showed lively.
This might force CQ to rethink the ranking in his forwards’ list and I’m afraid Ansarifard may fall even lower in the list with this kind of performance from Meydavoodi.

Jabbari, despite scoring a goal, again for the second game running, failed to show much creativity and playmaking for the team. So he cant be our solution to the team’s creative playmaker in absence of the aging Karimi. Perhaps with return of Hadadifar we may get that missing ingredient back into the team.


Ok. We’ve qualified for the next stage. But CQ be warned. The next round teams are not going to be as weak as this round. So far whatever teams CQ has faced (even those friendlies) have been below our standards and he’s managed to keep away from decent strong teams…. so far.
But he cant forever run from getting seriously tested. We MUST start playing bigger and stronger teams than Palestine and Madagascar if we want to make something of a challenge for the WC slot. I guess in the coming months we’ll see CQ chand marde hallajeh.

Well, then be prepared to complain, because even in Portugal, CQ was against friendlies versus huge teams.

[BacheLot]

(
that was my favorite part of doctor's post..!! i really think NOW its time to prepare for the next round by playing some decent friendlies that actually expos our weakness..!! perhaps, the memory of Roma thrashing and what transpired afterward keeps him thinking twice about that strategy..!!

[Hadi]

yeah decent performance againts a 3rd class and defeated team.

however, i was baffled to see why we brought in Zare who is an absolute tragedy.

I am still not convinced that this team can hold its own versus Asia's best but there is potential for sure.

[oldcoach]

Dear Doc,
Did you say Maydavoodi was impressive?
I would love to see his stats in the game, but I don't believe he completed even one pass. Right after his goal, I counted atleast 3-4 give aways.
There is something about our defense. Aside from the goal they allowed they almost got scored on early in the game and Rahmati had to come up with a save.
There are times that I see this team competing with other Asian "kings", but then again there are times I feel they are a big let down.
So I guess Mr. CQ has to really start working on that consistency.

[Paradigm]

Meydavoudi is much more technical and has playmaking abilities, plus amazing shots when he is confident. Ansarifard is more like a Daie-type player who has to be fed the ball but then he is not as good in converting as the 6-foot-4 Daie was.

By the way Indonesia goal today was very nice. I don't think Iran's defence or goal keeper were particularly to blame on that one scene.

[Keano]

In our last 3 matches we were the better team of the second half, however for the first time TM failed to impress in the second half and its team work and effectiveness deteriorated compared to its first half, that I found quite disappointing against a 3rd tier Asian team like Indonesia, as they call the 2nd halves "Coaches' half"

Our defense as usual is as defective and shaky as it has always been, not sure what could be done about it (The reasoning for this shortcoming shall be cultivated within our leagues and youth football i believe, TM is not the place to practice the diagnosis and full treatment for it)

Unlike DD I found Maydavoudi's performance quite disappointing, his continuous faulty passes and crosses were too obvious not to notice and get agitated by. Apart from his nice early goal, I didn't see much of admirable display!

Free Kicks behind the box have become our biggest flop in TM, whereas in IPL we often witness too many FKs beautifully taken by our players this season, however TM's weakest link has so far been its failure in converting so many golden scoring opportunities from these FKs. I don't understand while having Maydavoudi on the field, why players like Hajsafi would take such shots!!!!???? Nekounam has failed to shoot an on-target FK in the past few TM matches, yet he still takes most of the shots!

I am quite baffled by how so many members in General forum have been bashing Hajsafi for his today's performance, I found him one of the most influential and effective TM players in today's match, he contributed to most part of the field and appeared very active throughout the match, does anybody else think likewise or am I the only one?

Javad Kazemian was the biggest flop in his entire 30+ minutes of performance he was very much so invisible and virtually a ghost. I was dismayed by his inability to engage in any ball possession clashes. I am still trying to figure out what the motive was behind CQ's logic to sub him in for Rezaei, same goes to Maziar Zare!


Obviously one of the main reasons for Khalatbari's benching was discipline factor, I was delighted to see Mr. Queiroz benching one of his team's biggest stars in an official match without creating any drama with the team. We all witnessed a much better Khalatbari in the 20+ minutes of playing time, he displayed a great performance, while creating a PK for TM and consequently our sole goal of the second half.

TM seems to be so harmonized and highly spirited in all matches and practices we've so far seen of them. The credit indeed must go to Mr. Queiroz and his assistants. Hopefully the team will keep up this great trend!

[Doctor DOOM]

however, i was baffled to see why we brought in Zare who is an absolute tragedy.

indeed. especially his foolish back pass from the middle of the pitch into our box that reached an opponent striker (!!!). I was like WTF is going on in that square shaped skull of his that made him give that idiotic pass!

[Doctor DOOM]

Dear Doc,
Did you say Maydavoodi was impressive?
I would love to see his stats in the game, but I don't believe he completed even one pass. Right after his goal, I counted atleast 3-4 give aways.
There is something about our defense. Aside from the goal they allowed they almost got scored on early in the game and Rahmati had to come up with a save.
There are times that I see this team competing with other Asian "kings", but then again there are times I feel they are a big let down.
So I guess Mr. CQ has to really start working on that consistency.

OC jan. my view on Meydavoudi was an overall view. and while he did have a few bad moments, his positioning, his shot selection, especially his quick shot on goal (1st goal) and his freekick. not to mention his hustling and constant running. also given the rest of the team's performance which was just "adequate", then that leaves him near the top of the performers of the day.

besides, I think it is ok if a striker has a few bad passes. it is the defenders' and mids whose bad passes end up hurting the team
lets not forget the zones forwards operate. they operate in areas that have far more opponent defenders than the other zones of the pitch. so chances of a missed pass is far higher than in a zone near our box. and being used on the flanks, it is obvious some crosses may not reach our target forward.
so we just cant compare the number of turn-overs done by a defender with a forward. the closer we get to our box, the more emphasis on the precision is needed.

[Doctor DOOM]

Meydavoudi is much more technical and has playmaking abilities, plus amazing shots when he is confident. Ansarifard is more like a Daie-type player who has to be fed the ball but then he is not as good in converting as the 6-foot-4 Daie was.

By the way Indonesia goal today was very nice. I don't think Iran's defence or goal keeper were particularly to blame on that one scene.

yes, meydavoudi is of a different mold of a forward than daei.
and yes, in the beginning ansarifard did look like stepping into daei's shoes. but after a few months, given his low energy and low activity, his weak shooting and almost non-existent heading, I'm afraid he has a decade to work on till he could tie daei's shoe-laces.

Ghazi, however, is turning out to be a few steps closer to this mold. he is physically strong and uses his body well in aerial combat as well as tussles with defenders. his heading is quite obviously pretty good. his shooting is acceptable too, especially since he uses both feet. he holds the ball well and can fit very well into the center-forward role.

so between karim and ghazi, I think ghazi is waaaay ahead of him to get to fit into our final WC team.

[Paradigm]

^ I agree, Ghazi is rising through the ranks and he seems to play with heart. And somehow I was not noticing it from the Zob Ahan matches, but Ghazi is about an inch taller than Nekounam. I forgot how old he is though.... hopefully still got a few good years.

What I like about CQ is not being afraid to bench the players who did not perform in the last match. That way nobody will have an automatic spot and all have to work hard to earn playing time. This is one major difference in contrast to the Branko times.

One other thing, the biggest disappointment of the recent months for me has been Arash Afshin. After the early disqualification of U-23, he seems to have gone completely under the radar.

Foolad's Facebook feed was saying Afshin had been injured for a while this season.... Somehow I have high hopes he will make a return both on the club and national scenes in time for the next round of qualifications.

[oldcoach]

DD jaan,
I have been around long enough to know the forwards and defense and what kind of chances they are allowed to take with their passes.
To me, he had a very ordinary day and I was just surprised to see you so impressed by him.
BTW, normally he puts that free kick below the cross bar and in the goal.

The only guy who has really impressed me in the last two games is Ghazi.
The guys that I am somewhat disappointed with in the last two games, Khalatbari, Ansarifard.
As for Kazemian, he should not be called up for the next game.

[Doctor DOOM]

I don't understand while having Maydavoudi on the field, why players like Hajsafi would take such shots!!!!???? Nekounam has failed to shoot an on-target FK in the past few TM matches, yet he still takes most of the shots!





I am quite baffled by how so many members in General forum have been bashing Hajsafi for his today's performance, I found him one of the most influential and effective TM players in today's match, he contributed to most part of the field and appeared very active throughout the match, does anybody else think likewise or am I the only one?



Javad Kazemian was the biggest flop in his entire 30+ minutes of performance he was very much so invisible and virtually a ghost. I was dismayed by his inability to engage in any ball possession clashes. I am still trying to figure out what the motive was behind CQ's logic to sub him in for Rezaei, same goes to Maziar Zare!




Obviously one of the main reasons for Khalatbari's benching was discipline factor, I was delighted to see Mr. Queiroz benching one of his team's biggest stars in an official match without creating any drama with the team. We all witnessed a much better Khalatbari in the 20+ minutes of playing time, he displayed a great performance, while creating a PK for TM and consequently our sole goal of the second half.

!

1- well, just becoz it is a free-kick it doesnt mean meydavoudi has to take it.
there are plenty of factors involved. the most important one is the angle and side where this kick is to be taken. meyvadoudi is a right footed player so it is obvious that he'd take the FK's on the left flank or more central ones.
but the one hajsafi took was on the right side and for this you (usually. not always though. depending what you want to do) need a left footer to curl it in towards the goal.
unless you want to curl the ball AWAY from the goal to feed some of the surging strikers pushing into the box ... as an indirect kick. but mostly they'd take these kicks directly.

if you've followed nekounam's FK's, he pretty much has only ONE type of kick. he takes those on the left or off center and he usually curls it in for the near corner (hopefully none of our opponents read this ) He cant do anything else. sort of a one-trick pony when it comes to FK's.


2- I agree. hajsafi did well in both attack and defense (relative to the overall team's performance which was ... mehhhhh. nothing great)

3- agreed. I'd say all 3 pp players; rezaei, kazemian and zareh have been great flops. (rezaei to a lesser extent)
rezaei, however, deserves credit for following the ball and tangling with the keeper. something that many strikers wouldnt do and would give up running. and that lucky shot just crept inside the post. so I wont be as harsh on him as the other two

4- lets hope khalatbari gets his head screwed on straight and grows up. his faults and shortcomings are usually disciplinary and psychological, rather than technical. a little maturity will make him a great player.

[maij]

The end result of this much was so pleasing and satisfying that any criticism of the performance is really insincere and pointless. Not that there was no points to disparage or criticize, but the efficiency and completion of the mission by the boys was executed in a way that anything beside the result is of secondary nature,

Top marks for a professional coach when he decides and without hesitation to bench a player , regardless to his track record and reputation , when such player’s performance is not up to scratch. Carlos Queiroz is certainly in such bracket and his reputation has just raised a few notches in my bourse when he benched the ineffective and error prone Khalatbary for the match against Indonesia. Not only that was a smart move and had a few of implications, it really worked quite well in favor of the team and the player himself.

Khalatbary’s replacement was Meydavoudi , skillfully scored the opener in the early minutes of the match to install this cushion and raise the spirits. I think it is best to forget the horrible passing and pitiable performance by Meydavoudi right after scoring his goal and attribute that to his over excitement.

The timing of the goals and the fact that Team Melli killed the game in the first half and assured the qualification was signs that the second half would be a slow and perhaps a drab affair. In fact , it turned out to be exactly that , but it was a sensible and a calculated approach . team Melli did not try too hard and that was extremely a wise and logical approach in a difficult climate. Jakarta was in a midst of one of those truly uncomfortable wet and sticky evenings where a person not used to this weather can be really tested for endurance and the boyz excelled in conditioning themselves well. The amazing thing is that I really did not notice any sign of obvious fatigue in the team, Teymourian was perhaps an exception and was showing some slow down and the substitutions in the second half confirmed that.

Overall , we must praise the players and the coaching staff for their achievement and like many said , the work really begins now. We will not have the luxury of such easy games in 4^th round like this match against Indonesia. I don’t think we need to be reminded of this fact, but we should learn from the last World Cup qualification experience and avoid the pitfalls.