I think it was a decent game by Iran. I'm happy CQ didn't opt for the bus system and came to play. So we came to play and show the Chile game was not a fluke. Especially whenever we chose to keep the ball on the ground and use the width of the pitch, ... as opposed to the times our players' brains received no blood so they just kicked the ball high up field, which played to the Swedes' game plan.
I think maybe the result could have been slightly kinder had we kept our emotions in control and used logic a bit more. Meaning if we tried more moves on the ground and less useless crosses into the Swedes' 18 which were almost entirely met by the tall Swedish defense. Basically we just didn't have an answer to the opponents' HEIGHT & PHYSICAL STRENGTH. This showed all over the pitch, be it up field or near our goal, where we conceded the goals only due to lack of height and coming seconds in physical battles.
That's not to say we couldn't have done better. For example this strength and height factor was known by all before the game. Why wasn't Sadeghi, who among all our defenders has somewhat an equal chance at this, sit on the bench? I would be more critical of this had it been an official game. But I suppose CQ wanted to give Pouraliganji a start against a top team. So we'll let it go.
I assume these two factors also decided the use of Montazeri at the RB. He did have some very bright moves going up, but in defense he had a mixed display of good as well as bad defensive showings.
And we looked comfortable going forward for most parts, with Dejagah despite showing some rust (probably due to where he plays his club football, which tends to make players lazy), he actually had some bright patches and looked at home facing some very big names of European football. I only wish he'd get back to his old form.
Amiri the newcomer continued to impress with his skills and pace. I would be very surprised if he doesn't get a couple of offers from scouts. And he's just an IPL player, the same beleaguered league that some love to put down. There are plenty of gems in our IPL, if the coach decides to trust them.
Shojaei however surprised me by having a pretty good showing. Some nifty passes that reminded us of the shojaei of 6-7 years back. His display was good. Nothing earth shattering, but given his recent years' displays, this one was laudable.
RGN is slowly showing some rust, just like Dejagah. But it is also the fact that he is ALONE up field, which makes scoring very difficult as it is. But given the height and physicality of the Swedish defense, we just can't begrudge him much, although he did try valiantly. He also had a very clever, cheeky tough that bounced off the post, which shows his quick thinking and feet, as well as brightness in decision making (if only he used this in choosing where he plays too !!!!)
Nekounam and Ando also did ok. Nothing to brag about. But then again it was always going to be a tough ask facing a much tougher and taller team 3 days after meeting a very good Chile team. They did lack a few touches in distribution though. And I just have to question the persistent need to crossing high balls. We just didn't need to as we showed more success in keeping it low. In fact our goal was the result of using our ball skills and pace, instead of playing to the Swedes' strength.
Defense wasn't too bad if we consider our shortcomings (pun intended). They did as best as they could to quell the barrage of physical attacks. But we just didn't have an answer to those two deciding factors. However o didn't appreciate zlatan's brutish and thuggish behavior. The idiot needs to calm down. Ass.
Haghighi is well, as I have always said, he's an ok keeper. Nothing really fantastic. As I said in F+ forum, he seems to be indecisive how to choose his parries, punches, collections, ... .
Given his age i'd say he's worth investing on. Otherwise ....
I think we should start to look at Beiranvand a little more seriously.
All in all it was a good outing for our team that very rarely faces such opponents. But more importantly, I have to say thank God there's noone as tall or as physical as the Swedes in Asia. So I'm not too worried about the score line. Hood learning experience for all.
I think maybe the result could have been slightly kinder had we kept our emotions in control and used logic a bit more. Meaning if we tried more moves on the ground and less useless crosses into the Swedes' 18 which were almost entirely met by the tall Swedish defense. Basically we just didn't have an answer to the opponents' HEIGHT & PHYSICAL STRENGTH. This showed all over the pitch, be it up field or near our goal, where we conceded the goals only due to lack of height and coming seconds in physical battles.
That's not to say we couldn't have done better. For example this strength and height factor was known by all before the game. Why wasn't Sadeghi, who among all our defenders has somewhat an equal chance at this, sit on the bench? I would be more critical of this had it been an official game. But I suppose CQ wanted to give Pouraliganji a start against a top team. So we'll let it go.
I assume these two factors also decided the use of Montazeri at the RB. He did have some very bright moves going up, but in defense he had a mixed display of good as well as bad defensive showings.
And we looked comfortable going forward for most parts, with Dejagah despite showing some rust (probably due to where he plays his club football, which tends to make players lazy), he actually had some bright patches and looked at home facing some very big names of European football. I only wish he'd get back to his old form.
Amiri the newcomer continued to impress with his skills and pace. I would be very surprised if he doesn't get a couple of offers from scouts. And he's just an IPL player, the same beleaguered league that some love to put down. There are plenty of gems in our IPL, if the coach decides to trust them.
Shojaei however surprised me by having a pretty good showing. Some nifty passes that reminded us of the shojaei of 6-7 years back. His display was good. Nothing earth shattering, but given his recent years' displays, this one was laudable.
RGN is slowly showing some rust, just like Dejagah. But it is also the fact that he is ALONE up field, which makes scoring very difficult as it is. But given the height and physicality of the Swedish defense, we just can't begrudge him much, although he did try valiantly. He also had a very clever, cheeky tough that bounced off the post, which shows his quick thinking and feet, as well as brightness in decision making (if only he used this in choosing where he plays too !!!!)
Nekounam and Ando also did ok. Nothing to brag about. But then again it was always going to be a tough ask facing a much tougher and taller team 3 days after meeting a very good Chile team. They did lack a few touches in distribution though. And I just have to question the persistent need to crossing high balls. We just didn't need to as we showed more success in keeping it low. In fact our goal was the result of using our ball skills and pace, instead of playing to the Swedes' strength.
Defense wasn't too bad if we consider our shortcomings (pun intended). They did as best as they could to quell the barrage of physical attacks. But we just didn't have an answer to those two deciding factors. However o didn't appreciate zlatan's brutish and thuggish behavior. The idiot needs to calm down. Ass.
Haghighi is well, as I have always said, he's an ok keeper. Nothing really fantastic. As I said in F+ forum, he seems to be indecisive how to choose his parries, punches, collections, ... .
Given his age i'd say he's worth investing on. Otherwise ....
I think we should start to look at Beiranvand a little more seriously.
All in all it was a good outing for our team that very rarely faces such opponents. But more importantly, I have to say thank God there's noone as tall or as physical as the Swedes in Asia. So I'm not too worried about the score line. Hood learning experience for all.
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