Asian Games 2002

[kasai]

In 2002 our U-23 team salvaged the pride of a nation that was devistated by not qualifying for WC2002. Our U-23 side along with three senior nationals traveled to South Korea and eventually won the gold beating the home side and Japan in the process.

Those youngsters were suppose to be our future stars, the players that would be part of our lineup for WC2006.

Below is a partial list of the players I recall from that team that was coached by Branko. Please add the rest of the names and let's discuss why their careers have not progressed as planned.

Ali Daei
Yahya Golmohammadi
Ebrahim Mirzapour
Alireza Nikbakht Vahedi
Javad Kazemian
Iman Mobali
Ali Badavi
Mohsen Bayatiniya
Nosrati?
Borhani?
Kaebi?
Who Else?

[gol_kuchik]

the setting:
These games happened a few months after 2002 WC, and there was a very
damp mood following Iran loss to Bahrain and elemination from 2002 WC.

The expection of the team was very low, and as I remember most people
pretty much ignored these games. Our house usually full of TM fans just a
few month prior, simply had no one but me. (back then dishes were not so
common yet in U.S so I had a group of 5 or 10 typically watching the game
over at our house).

Iran-Qatar game was a 1-1 draw and a nail biter. I remember asking myself
why our team was playing so defensively? But we advanced from our group
and next played Kuwait.

Here is the complete list of players and the resuts:
http://www.teammelli.com/Performance...es/AG_2002.HTM

Second:
As you can see from the chart, Daei did not play a significant role and
even left S.Korea due to the passing away of his father. Nikbakht was
injured in the crucial game against Japan. But one star of the game was
BayatiNia who scored the first goal against Japan (Daei replacement).

As you can see Borhani was not there, and Badavi lost his TM spot after
the Asian cup confrontation with Rezai.

I must say both the S.K as well as Japan games were a treat. I still remember
the penalty shots after 120 minutes of play against S.K!

In the S.K game, our defence shined and I remember being impressed by several
players:
1-Nosrati for his amazing air coverage
2-Saeed Lotfi (Currently with Esteghlal)
3-Kameli

The other honorable mention goes to Mobali who scored the winning goal
against Kuwait, and of course Mohram Navidkia, who created havoc for
both Korea as well as Japan.

Overall, I started watching the games with little hope and expectation and
as I remember the quality of games from Iran side did not *seem* very good.
But the reality was, Branko had a different game plan based on the opponent
and the final was one of the best games I have seen Iran play not because
of the results but the overall team coherence.

In the game against the quick S.Korea, the plan was to neutralize the the
middle and our defence was very solid. When our players out ran for 120
minutes the S.Koreans I began to realize Branko had done a very good job.
This was confirmed in penalty kicks when all our players made their shots!

I found out that as a part of Branko's plan the team practiced penalty shots
the day before. I must also say every minutes that passed in second half
S.Korea which came to win but could not score got more and more frustrated.

So time was on our side.

In the game against Japan, Branko had rearragned our team and we had a
completely aggresive game plan which I think caught Japanese by surprise.

Overall, this has been the highlight of Iran's football since revolution and as
you can see most of the players in that U23 make up the backbone of TM.

One player noone mentions and I saw shine in the Esteghlals final game this
season Saeed Lotfi, has not been invited to TM again and I wonder what the
story is.

p.s:

If you check the link I provided above, the total number of minutes each player
played, more or less tells you about how Branko has made his team and preference.
(more or less)

[Martin-Reza]

Asian Games gold indeed was damn important mentally after the horrible 2001 WCQ campaign!

[Mansoor]

In 2002 our U-23 team salvaged the pride of a nation that was devistated by not qualifying for WC2002. Our U-23 side along with three senior nationals traveled to South Korea and eventually won the gold beating the home side and Japan in the process.
Those youngsters were suppose to be our future stars, the players that would be part of our lineup for WC2006.
Below is a partial list of the players I recall from that team that was coached by Branko. Please add the rest of the names and let's discuss why their careers have not progressed as planned.
Ali Daei
Yahya Golmohammadi
Ebrahim Mirzapour
Alireza Nikbakht Vahedi
Javad Kazemian
Iman Mobali
Ali Badavi
Mohsen Bayatiniya
Nosrati?
Borhani?
Kaebi?
Who Else?

Borhani wasn't there. He was brought in by Haj Mayeli, but Kaabi & Nosrati were.

Rahmati
Ershad Yousefi
Saeed Lotfi
Kameli
NavidKia
Abolfazl Hajizadeh
Siavash Akbarpour
Nekunam
Amirabadi
Azizzadeh

Rahmati & Yousefi lacked talent.
Lotfi suffered near career ending injury after reinjuring himself. Slowly coming back.
Kameli lacks intelligence!
Navidkia is a victim of "over use".
Hajizadeh was never used in Busan but after quiet season with Terakor Sazi, is resurfacing in Perspolis thanks to Haan & Parvin.
BayatiNia is a nervous forward that effects his finishing. Will never make it up there despite his talent.
Mobali is stubborn to improve his game(and is a victim of fan & media's over support), but great future is ahead of him if he trains with Haan next year.
Badavi is an offensive player playing defense!? Need to move forward as Vahedi & Madanchi did.
AzizZadeh some how lost his motivation after injuries. He is slowly coming back as Lotfi is.
The rest are in TM stage.

[kasai]

Thanks Mansoor jan. It is somewhat tragic to see that so few have progressed to the national team level. Those are some of the players that we will need for qualifying in 2010. Depending on our results in this world cup as well as when Branko decides to leave, I am sure some of those left behind will be given another chance for a spot with TM.

[Mansoor]

Thanks Mansoor jan. It is somewhat tragic to see that so few have progressed to the national team level. Those are some of the players that we will need for qualifying in 2010. Depending on our results in this world cup as well as when Branko decides to leave, I am sure some of those left behind will be given another chance for a spot with TM.

Mokhlesim.

I think the core of that team, as you said, will be with us for 2010. Players like Mobali, Kaabi, Kazemian, Vahedi, and a few more. Fortunately, bigger pool of talent is ahead of us, and players like Shojaee, Jabbari, Hosseini, Rezaei, Teymourian, Yavarzadeh, and Oladi will fill in for the missing one. It sure is sad to see some of those youngsters that had great opportunity ahead of them blew it for one reason or other.