Goal within reach

[Doctor DOOM]

from what I saw of mexico against france, and what I think TM is capable of, I think we can beat mexico.
oh yes.
it is imminently possible and I dare say, probable.

I wasnt impressed with mexico at all, and if they play like that, I am sure we can get something out of that game.

now, if we play up to our true potential and the correct players are selected ( based on form and fitness. not names ), with a little aggression and dedication, I think we can pull off an upset.
get the required 3 points, and go to portugal game with far better mental make up.

and who knows ?
these are guys who "choke" once in a while, and maybe our luck will hold.

I just wish the starting line up is based on the players' form, and our system, based on a beleif that we can do it.
not some ultra cautious approach that aims for a draw ( which usually comes up empty handed ).

===========

based on what I saw from TM's last game, neither nosrati ( on the left ) nor yahya shd start.
they are absolutely out of form and cannot cope with this kind of game.


sohrab seems the perfect choice for yahya's post.
as for the left back, I just hope sadeghi is given a chance ( for once ) against bosnia, so we can know if he's upto the task.

but playing nosrati and yahya ( branko's usual line up ) spells disaster for us, and we will never achieve what we can.

I wouldnt mind daei playing one half ( either first or second ), either.

as for the left flank?
I've given up hope on this issue.
I cant expect a third grader to solve a 12 grader's problem.
he just doesnt have the knowledge.

[Mansoor]

Sorry, dr jaan, I disagree. There is no way in the world Team Melli can beat any team in the World Cup with a wimp ... Impossible. The only way Iran can win is if she has a good coach.
Cheers.

[Martin-Reza]

At least the most positive thing I've read from DD in years.

Not that it would be positive for anyone else, but for Doc's standard it's almost euphoric .

[Hajagha]

I just wish the starting line up is based on the players' form, and our system, based on a beleif that we can do it.

based on what I saw from TM's last game, neither nosrati ( on the left ) nor yahya shd start.
they are absolutely out of form and cannot cope with this kind of game.

I wouldnt mind daei playing one half ( either first or second ), either.

Being too harsh on Yahya and Nosrati and being too soft on Daei.

From what you saw, you should have said "who invited Daei to TM?" ....yet you are another one after the "names" I guess.

Good suggestion though to not going after the names.

[Behrooz]

Baba in DD ro inghadr aziyat nakonid. I am surprised too. Maybe he's kidding.

I wonder how we can beat Mexico with no tactics and no good coach!!??lol..

[faraz]

from what I saw of mexico against france, and what I think TM is capable of, I think we can beat mexico.

Funny...many of us could have told you this before! We were capable of beating Mexico during the qualifiers, let alone now. Our defensive organisation is a bit shabby at times, but that's about it. I remember at one point in the game, Croatia had the ball around our area, and 5 players ran after the ball, which resulted in one side being left completely open, and Mirza had to make a great stop.

what's shocking is that Rezaei, the heart and soul, the general of the defence, did not organize it better than that. I expect more from him.

But i'm gonna have to agree with Martin Reza. This is truly a day to remember in PFDC's history.

[Doctor DOOM]

aah, but my friends, I didnt say it will be becoz of the wimp's inputs ( which are either minimal or backwards ).

it is based on the age old tradition that Irannains oft rise to the occasion through ... ahem ... lets say "unconventional" means, like gheyrat and their fighting spirit ( case in point, aussie game, yugo game, .... ) in major matches.

notice, I did say IF branko puts in the right players, meaning no nosrati, no yahya, and daei at best plays 30-35 minutes ( note to haji jan ).

[Mansoor]

Baba, bikhial Peyman jaan. In case you missed it, Gheyrat by itself doesn't win you games in today's football anymore. That belonged to ages ago. I can't dismiss the Gheyrat being there and will be "a" factor, but without smart planning & great players with skills, the gheyrat will take you as far as it can take Bangladesh to WC.

[kasai]

Well, I do agree that Mexico is beatable, but I would say every team in our group is beatable. We do not have a traditional power in our group. Yes Mexico has made it to the second round of the last three WCs, but they still have weaknesses. Portugal was great in 2004, but they do not have a great tradition in the WC.

Our lineup is set. I am happy to see that Teymoo has shown to be confident and will be a good sub for us. The lone question is left back and Nosrati played well enough in the Croatia game to solidify that spot. He is a tough defender who will foul to slow down the opponent. He will be a good spotter for Borgetti on the set plays.

Yahya was solid in the Croatia game and is 100% fixed for Branko. I think he may be more fixed than Rezaei.

The mental state of Mirzapour is one of the biggest questions I have. I hope he can overcome his silly mistake and show a good performance against Bosnia. Mirzapour played a very smart game against Croatia and even kicked the ball well for most of the match.

[Amin_]

Well, I only saw the 2nd half of France - Mexico, and I was impressed by the way the Mexican's were putting France under pressure for most of the 45 minutes.

I guess it had to do with the fact that they were a goal behind, but still, they were playing nice football with good passings and not too many mistakes.
Again, I only saw the 2nd half...


On the other hand, I do see Iran surprising in one of the 2 games (Mexico and Portugal). If we can hold on to a clean sheet til the hour mark, it'll make them very nervous and eventually a chance will come for us to profit (like against Yugo in '98).

This of course if players like karimi, Mehdi and Hashemian are completely fit and able to play the full 90 minutes.
Cause I don't see us coming even close Mexico's half with players like Madanchi, Kazemian etc...

[Martin-Reza]

aah, but my friends, I didnt say it will be becoz of the wimp's inputs ( which are either minimal or backwards ).
it is based on the age old tradition that Irannains oft rise to the occasion through ... ahem ... lets say "unconventional" means, like gheyrat and their fighting spirit ( case in point, aussie game, yugo game, .... ) in major matches.
notice, I did say IF branko puts in the right players, meaning no nosrati, no yahya, and daei at best plays 30-35 minutes ( note to haji jan ).

Already searching for excuses should Iran play a good World Cup, heh ?

[Doctor DOOM]

mansoor jan, lets be realistic here.

I dont know about you, but I didnt see ANY "smart planning" in part of the staff in the croatia game.
and if borhani's goal was allowed, as it shd have been, it means we'd have won that game.

now, this game was purely and solely based on INDIVIDUAL talent and gheyrat.

.... unless you want to tell me there was some teamwork somewhere deep inside that game.

[Mansoor]

^ Peyman jaan, there was very smart planning in that game, part of which was to test things without revealing the whole plan. I wish I could say more, but I promise I'll go over it with you after WC games. Branko impressed me more than ever there. And I am being realistic my friend, and I am putting my money where my mouth is by betting 4 digit $ over Iran (against Mexico).

[BehzadB]

.................... by betting 4 digit $ over Iran (against Mexico).

Now you talking my language.

[Doctor DOOM]

oh, by "smart planning" you mean the half-aszed attempt at shuffling players like zandi to right, karimi to left , ... ?
is that supposed to fool our rivals?


or was nosrati's gigantic f**k ups a part of this plan, coz naturally, he could have easily handled all the attacks from the left , and he just didnt "want" to? ....... as we have seen him do in the past 2 years.

or was it telling yahya not to run at all, and act like a tree?

all this as a ruse to fool our opponent, eh?
coz we know these players play like nesta, ronaldinho, ..... actually !!

where was this "smart planning"?

no team work.
no proper system or tactic.
insane player selection.
sad substitution tactic.
neglect of most basic and rudimentary rules in football ( like no width )
.... etc.
all point to one thing:
continuation of TM's decline in quality under branko.