FIRST HALF:
Edit:
I watched the game (Thanks to the hard work by Kamran and nariman and the rest of multimedia staff) and now, I can safely comment on the whole game.
Starting line: Given CQ’s cautious nature, I guess this line up was to be expected. Well, he HAD TO make some adjustment from his ultra defensive selection against Qatar, as now we were playing a much weaker team and at home. So in CQ’s mind only 1 change was justified (bringing in another player who can score goals; Khalatbari, to increase our chances of scoring).
Lol. The Lebanese keeper praying to the goal posts. Why does HIM doing this seem so much more than just a usual gesture done by goalkeepers of the world? Hehehe
What I have noticed and vehemently approve is nowadays we see less bezan ziresh and ala-bakhtaki lobs from defense. I see Ando or Nekounam going deep to receive balls from defenders to build up plays which is a massive improvement in our team movement.
More turnovers and loss of balls from Shojaei, while Heidari sweeps up after him and makes the perfect low cross to RGN, whose header misses the mark. But great chance that shows RGN has adapted to TM perfectly well and this shows his intelligence. Now, if only he could improve his strike rate compared to the number of chances he gets. But his style and technique leaves very little to critic.
My only regret is he shd have someone playing closer or parallel to him to feed off or pair up laterally. Alas …!
(I wish shojaei’s fans do watch this game again to understand what we talk about and how he constantly loses the balls that shd not )
Ooofff. In the middle of the pitch a Lebanese player is shot, most probably by a bazooka sniper among the crowd. Poor thing looks like to have been mortally wounded. … no … wait … he gets up and … 1, 2, 3, 4, … all limbs are in place. Nevermind. Carry on.
Khiabani with his usual irritating and mind numbing nonsense that warrants a kick to the TV speakers to shut him up. If only we could bill him for it!
Ahmadi looks to be settling in the team. Yes, he is not a fantastic player and has his own weaknesses. But who IS? Even Rahmati has his own weaknesses. At least, Ahmadi’s weaknesses are not as evident or well known to asia as Rahmati’s.
More snipers shooting at poor, hapless Lebanese players who have never experienced any sort of violence in their delicate lives! … oh wait … hezbullah … . nevermind. Anyway, this chap seems to have been run over by a tank or a submarine or something! I feel for him.
Another plucky and gritty game by Heidari in both defense and offense. He deserves to play in Europe (far more than some ppl who are already in Europe
)
Lovely combo from Heidari, Khalatbari and finally to RGN, who misses the ball by inches. Heidari cutting in is making the Lebanese defenders confused as they don’t know how to handle and defend against him.
Shojaei seems to be in cohorts with the snipers in the crowd, as he targets the family jewels of the hapless Lebanese defender, who may now, never have any children to help fight world Zionism
- But my anger at seeing all zeroes on the score-board didn’t last long as I saw Khalatbari do one of his weaving runs and slot the ball outside the keeper’s reach. This is what you get when you add a proper goal scorer to the team instead of filling it with mere midfielders who rarely score. Khalatbari’s addition to the Qatar game roster was a positive move. Loved the give and go between Jabbari and him. Hope we see more of such moves.
- And then, to my surprise we took a corner kick quickly (usually we waste time allowing for opponents to take their shape) and among the 5 free Iranian players, Nekounam thundered his header into the goal. simply loved the power he generated in his header.
- In the mean time, Shojaei tries to dribble and to no surprise hands over the ball! But this has happened so often and so many times that it provides absolutely no shock to me. But hey, he plays in la liga … right?
- The lebanese seem very chaotic and inorganized. With a little more focus and attention, we can add 1-2 more goals and breath easy for a while.
- seeing how the lebanese keeper collects all low crosses from flanks, I think it is a good option if one of our strikers actually goes for the near post to intercept or deflect these balls BEFORE it reaches the keeper. That way, a deflection or a simple tap or re-direction of the ball could end up in the goal
SECOND HALF:
- Lovely goal from RGN who chose the near angle. He thoroughly deserves this goal. if he keeps his nerves in check I am sure he can add to it. He’s been very lively, along with Khalatbari.
- Shojaei misses a sitter. Again, it doesn’t surprise me. What would surprise me is if he actually does something right !
- Big chance off a combo of Khalatbari and RGN and lovely one touch shot by RGN. Shows his class. This was after a big scare in front of our goal where Matar was left uncovered. Lets keep the focus guys
- The team passes the ball around very well. But Shojaei’s aiming the stadium clock. Hey maybe in la liga the goals are kept at that height. We cant question a la liga player!!! Right?
- Some lovely Heidari crosses and Nekounam misses the header. But the intent is positive as we go searching for more goals
- A penalty on Khalatbari is not called! Espn commentators also admitted it. On replay it is a clear foul. Shame the ref didn’t see it from mere yards in front of him.
- It is these idiotic back heel and fancy shit they try when ****y that get on my nerves. Simple pass would do it. But this insistence on flashy plays and “looking good” is the bane of our football!
- Now pace seems to be the objective as Mosalman and Rezaei come in. But neither produce anything worthwhile. We’re playing too harried and have lost all focus and mental shape/ discipline!
- Rezaei has been poor losing the ball countless times!!! Too hurried? Not so calm? Whatever the cause, he just didn’t do himself any favors and unless he gets his shit together, he may not figure in Korea. But I put this on the silly issue of our players trying too hard to get on the score sheet. Calmer nerves would have fared better.
- We are sacrificing more goals in favor of fancy, looking unnecessary plays!!! Too c0cky
- Credit to Khalatbari for trying as hard as ever though the entire game. Nothing surprising.
- RGN must change his shoes. He’s slipped many times during the game!
- And out of nowhere Nekunam scores. Hahaha lovely shot placement. Welcome to the Nekounam show. He’s been heading, shooting, … owning the match. Easily the M.O.M.
- CQ going ballistic over the touchline. Great to see he demands more goals. But where was all this urgency earlier in the campaign? What’s happened to him in the past week or so? Either way, I am happy he demands more.
BOTTOMLINE
I liked how the team played and this could well be one of the better games by TM in the past 10 years. Their passing was very nice. But I wont allow this to cloud my judgment as the opponent was a third rate Asian minnow.
However, the sequence of passes on several occasions and the intent on correct passing and one touch passing shows they have improved. If only they could sustain such things for longer periods, then we’d be a very formidable team for anyone.
I also am satisfied with the scoreline, although with a little more focus, we could have finished the game with 7-0 or more. But this 4 goals difference between us and Uzbeks gives us a very good fighting chance as I doubt the Uzbeks can score 4 goals against Qatar. Which means a draw in Seoul would be enough and extremely probable as even Korea needs only 1 point to secure their WC.
Edit:
I watched the game (Thanks to the hard work by Kamran and nariman and the rest of multimedia staff) and now, I can safely comment on the whole game.
Starting line: Given CQ’s cautious nature, I guess this line up was to be expected. Well, he HAD TO make some adjustment from his ultra defensive selection against Qatar, as now we were playing a much weaker team and at home. So in CQ’s mind only 1 change was justified (bringing in another player who can score goals; Khalatbari, to increase our chances of scoring).
Lol. The Lebanese keeper praying to the goal posts. Why does HIM doing this seem so much more than just a usual gesture done by goalkeepers of the world? Hehehe
What I have noticed and vehemently approve is nowadays we see less bezan ziresh and ala-bakhtaki lobs from defense. I see Ando or Nekounam going deep to receive balls from defenders to build up plays which is a massive improvement in our team movement.
More turnovers and loss of balls from Shojaei, while Heidari sweeps up after him and makes the perfect low cross to RGN, whose header misses the mark. But great chance that shows RGN has adapted to TM perfectly well and this shows his intelligence. Now, if only he could improve his strike rate compared to the number of chances he gets. But his style and technique leaves very little to critic.
My only regret is he shd have someone playing closer or parallel to him to feed off or pair up laterally. Alas …!
(I wish shojaei’s fans do watch this game again to understand what we talk about and how he constantly loses the balls that shd not )
Ooofff. In the middle of the pitch a Lebanese player is shot, most probably by a bazooka sniper among the crowd. Poor thing looks like to have been mortally wounded. … no … wait … he gets up and … 1, 2, 3, 4, … all limbs are in place. Nevermind. Carry on.
Khiabani with his usual irritating and mind numbing nonsense that warrants a kick to the TV speakers to shut him up. If only we could bill him for it!
Ahmadi looks to be settling in the team. Yes, he is not a fantastic player and has his own weaknesses. But who IS? Even Rahmati has his own weaknesses. At least, Ahmadi’s weaknesses are not as evident or well known to asia as Rahmati’s.
More snipers shooting at poor, hapless Lebanese players who have never experienced any sort of violence in their delicate lives! … oh wait … hezbullah … . nevermind. Anyway, this chap seems to have been run over by a tank or a submarine or something! I feel for him.
Another plucky and gritty game by Heidari in both defense and offense. He deserves to play in Europe (far more than some ppl who are already in Europe
)Lovely combo from Heidari, Khalatbari and finally to RGN, who misses the ball by inches. Heidari cutting in is making the Lebanese defenders confused as they don’t know how to handle and defend against him.
Shojaei seems to be in cohorts with the snipers in the crowd, as he targets the family jewels of the hapless Lebanese defender, who may now, never have any children to help fight world Zionism
- But my anger at seeing all zeroes on the score-board didn’t last long as I saw Khalatbari do one of his weaving runs and slot the ball outside the keeper’s reach. This is what you get when you add a proper goal scorer to the team instead of filling it with mere midfielders who rarely score. Khalatbari’s addition to the Qatar game roster was a positive move. Loved the give and go between Jabbari and him. Hope we see more of such moves.
- And then, to my surprise we took a corner kick quickly (usually we waste time allowing for opponents to take their shape) and among the 5 free Iranian players, Nekounam thundered his header into the goal. simply loved the power he generated in his header.
- In the mean time, Shojaei tries to dribble and to no surprise hands over the ball! But this has happened so often and so many times that it provides absolutely no shock to me. But hey, he plays in la liga … right?
- The lebanese seem very chaotic and inorganized. With a little more focus and attention, we can add 1-2 more goals and breath easy for a while.
- seeing how the lebanese keeper collects all low crosses from flanks, I think it is a good option if one of our strikers actually goes for the near post to intercept or deflect these balls BEFORE it reaches the keeper. That way, a deflection or a simple tap or re-direction of the ball could end up in the goal
SECOND HALF:
- Lovely goal from RGN who chose the near angle. He thoroughly deserves this goal. if he keeps his nerves in check I am sure he can add to it. He’s been very lively, along with Khalatbari.
- Shojaei misses a sitter. Again, it doesn’t surprise me. What would surprise me is if he actually does something right !
- Big chance off a combo of Khalatbari and RGN and lovely one touch shot by RGN. Shows his class. This was after a big scare in front of our goal where Matar was left uncovered. Lets keep the focus guys
- The team passes the ball around very well. But Shojaei’s aiming the stadium clock. Hey maybe in la liga the goals are kept at that height. We cant question a la liga player!!! Right?
- Some lovely Heidari crosses and Nekounam misses the header. But the intent is positive as we go searching for more goals
- A penalty on Khalatbari is not called! Espn commentators also admitted it. On replay it is a clear foul. Shame the ref didn’t see it from mere yards in front of him.
- It is these idiotic back heel and fancy shit they try when ****y that get on my nerves. Simple pass would do it. But this insistence on flashy plays and “looking good” is the bane of our football!
- Now pace seems to be the objective as Mosalman and Rezaei come in. But neither produce anything worthwhile. We’re playing too harried and have lost all focus and mental shape/ discipline!
- Rezaei has been poor losing the ball countless times!!! Too hurried? Not so calm? Whatever the cause, he just didn’t do himself any favors and unless he gets his shit together, he may not figure in Korea. But I put this on the silly issue of our players trying too hard to get on the score sheet. Calmer nerves would have fared better.
- We are sacrificing more goals in favor of fancy, looking unnecessary plays!!! Too c0cky
- Credit to Khalatbari for trying as hard as ever though the entire game. Nothing surprising.
- RGN must change his shoes. He’s slipped many times during the game!
- And out of nowhere Nekunam scores. Hahaha lovely shot placement. Welcome to the Nekounam show. He’s been heading, shooting, … owning the match. Easily the M.O.M.
- CQ going ballistic over the touchline. Great to see he demands more goals. But where was all this urgency earlier in the campaign? What’s happened to him in the past week or so? Either way, I am happy he demands more.
BOTTOMLINE
I liked how the team played and this could well be one of the better games by TM in the past 10 years. Their passing was very nice. But I wont allow this to cloud my judgment as the opponent was a third rate Asian minnow.
However, the sequence of passes on several occasions and the intent on correct passing and one touch passing shows they have improved. If only they could sustain such things for longer periods, then we’d be a very formidable team for anyone.
I also am satisfied with the scoreline, although with a little more focus, we could have finished the game with 7-0 or more. But this 4 goals difference between us and Uzbeks gives us a very good fighting chance as I doubt the Uzbeks can score 4 goals against Qatar. Which means a draw in Seoul would be enough and extremely probable as even Korea needs only 1 point to secure their WC.
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