We must accept that Iran is the undoubted underdogs in their group and perhaps in all of world cup.
We have 2 hard games vs Nigeria and Bosnia and 1 incredibly hard game vs Argentina.
The friendly versus Belarus told us a lot about our team. Yes we did not have some of our best players (Dejagah, Shojaie, Gucci) and yes both teams were in early preparation but the fact was, our team has certain qualities that will not change much until the world cup and CQ will certainly work around these qualities to best prepare our team for the task ahead. Based on my own observation and the qualities of our current squad, I think TM will need to focus on the below tactical consideration in order to have any form of success:
1)CQ is undoubtedly working on our defense. We have plenty of players for defense and defensive positions but the key is to find out who are the starters and drill them for the tough world cup games. We will be defending in many layers and we will be doing much defending in our 3 World Cup matches. We need absolute concentration, extremely hard work rate, and no nonsense defending. An example of such defense is Chelsea and how they played this season versus Liverpool in Anfield. I think playing the tape of that match for our boys can be a very good lesson in defending.
1) Our players generally lack the first touch skills, positioning, off ball movement and decision making skills to play a passing game. Let's face it, even when we play versus weaker Asian teams, we have trouble in build up play and passing game. We are unable to rely on build up play for our attack in the world cup and we lack proper playmakers. It is ironic because we like to think about Iranian football as technical and beautiful but this current team is far from that image. Build up play starts from defense and even our defenders and midfielders are not capable of retaining possession under pressure and working the ball into the box. Due to the lack of this skill in our team, we should forget about build up play as it will expose our defense in case of giving the ball away and chance for success is low.
2)If build up play is not the way to go, so how can we score in the world cup? The answer is through 2 tactics: Direct Play and Free kicks.
Team Melli should have plans for every single freekick, corner and indirect free kick opportunities (not to mentione throw ins deep in opponent's half). These chances will be rare and hard to come by but they are immense for us. Teymorian, Dejagah and Shojaie are accomplished crossers and our defenders and midfielders can head a ball or two. If we are to score in the world cup, freekicks will be the (only) way.
Direct play is not pretty to watch. But it is incredibly potent for our current team. We must look to feed our wingers and strikers with long balls and passes (players like Teymorian and Nekonam are capable of such passes) behind opponent defense. Yes; the success rate of such play is low but if our wingers or striker can hold up play nicely and allow a player or two to peel off, we can have a good chance to score.
2) One aspect of this team is the improved physical presence and work rate compared to 2006. We have immense physical presence all over the pitch. We may lack speed but we have good strength, heading ability and stamina. This is a good foundation to build our defensive strategy. Our team is more comfortable when NOT in possession and that is totally fine. CQ should prepare our team to play comfortably and contain the opponent for almost the full 90 minutes in all 3 games. We will have a decent chance if our Team Melli is 100% confident and comfortable to defend and contain the play and look for direct play when in possession.
One area to work on is our full backs. We must absolutely have rock solid full backs. We can not afford to allow their wingers to overlap or string passes together. Our fullbacks should have an extremely high work-rate and minimize any space given to opponent wingers. Even Belarus who is not even a WC tier team and played with very low intensity was able to pass the ball on the wings comfortably, overlap and drill crosses to our box. This is simply unacceptable versus clinical teams of the World Cup.
We have 2 hard games vs Nigeria and Bosnia and 1 incredibly hard game vs Argentina.
The friendly versus Belarus told us a lot about our team. Yes we did not have some of our best players (Dejagah, Shojaie, Gucci) and yes both teams were in early preparation but the fact was, our team has certain qualities that will not change much until the world cup and CQ will certainly work around these qualities to best prepare our team for the task ahead. Based on my own observation and the qualities of our current squad, I think TM will need to focus on the below tactical consideration in order to have any form of success:
1)CQ is undoubtedly working on our defense. We have plenty of players for defense and defensive positions but the key is to find out who are the starters and drill them for the tough world cup games. We will be defending in many layers and we will be doing much defending in our 3 World Cup matches. We need absolute concentration, extremely hard work rate, and no nonsense defending. An example of such defense is Chelsea and how they played this season versus Liverpool in Anfield. I think playing the tape of that match for our boys can be a very good lesson in defending.
1) Our players generally lack the first touch skills, positioning, off ball movement and decision making skills to play a passing game. Let's face it, even when we play versus weaker Asian teams, we have trouble in build up play and passing game. We are unable to rely on build up play for our attack in the world cup and we lack proper playmakers. It is ironic because we like to think about Iranian football as technical and beautiful but this current team is far from that image. Build up play starts from defense and even our defenders and midfielders are not capable of retaining possession under pressure and working the ball into the box. Due to the lack of this skill in our team, we should forget about build up play as it will expose our defense in case of giving the ball away and chance for success is low.
2)If build up play is not the way to go, so how can we score in the world cup? The answer is through 2 tactics: Direct Play and Free kicks.
Team Melli should have plans for every single freekick, corner and indirect free kick opportunities (not to mentione throw ins deep in opponent's half). These chances will be rare and hard to come by but they are immense for us. Teymorian, Dejagah and Shojaie are accomplished crossers and our defenders and midfielders can head a ball or two. If we are to score in the world cup, freekicks will be the (only) way.
Direct play is not pretty to watch. But it is incredibly potent for our current team. We must look to feed our wingers and strikers with long balls and passes (players like Teymorian and Nekonam are capable of such passes) behind opponent defense. Yes; the success rate of such play is low but if our wingers or striker can hold up play nicely and allow a player or two to peel off, we can have a good chance to score.
2) One aspect of this team is the improved physical presence and work rate compared to 2006. We have immense physical presence all over the pitch. We may lack speed but we have good strength, heading ability and stamina. This is a good foundation to build our defensive strategy. Our team is more comfortable when NOT in possession and that is totally fine. CQ should prepare our team to play comfortably and contain the opponent for almost the full 90 minutes in all 3 games. We will have a decent chance if our Team Melli is 100% confident and comfortable to defend and contain the play and look for direct play when in possession.
One area to work on is our full backs. We must absolutely have rock solid full backs. We can not afford to allow their wingers to overlap or string passes together. Our fullbacks should have an extremely high work-rate and minimize any space given to opponent wingers. Even Belarus who is not even a WC tier team and played with very low intensity was able to pass the ball on the wings comfortably, overlap and drill crosses to our box. This is simply unacceptable versus clinical teams of the World Cup.
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