Iran vs. Bulgaria - [Game Thread] | Friendly | Thursday, September 7th

[Hosseini]

Will there be VAR?

The referee is going to be Lazar Lukic from Serbia. Looks like he has not refereed national team matches before, only club competitions.

https://www.soccerway.com/referees/lazar-luki/145104/

https://www.transfermarkt.com/lazar-...dsrichter/2064

So far the only Serbian who refereed Team Melli matches was Milorad Mažić who denied Dejagah a legitimate penalty in 2014 WC with Argentina. He also refereed Russia vs Iran friendly match in 2017.

As far as less experienced referees go, the Russian Kiril Levnikov who refereed Iran vs Uzbekistan at 2023 CAFA Nations Cup final was a bad experience for Team Melli since the referee could not calm situations in the match.

For the match with Bulgaria, I say weather and referee are big concerns.

Bulgarian media really focused on Majid Hosseini's absence due to injury, some of their media even were surprised that Omid Ebrahimi is not in the Team Melli squad. They are also aware of Haji Safi having the most caps and Taremi being the most goalscorer among the players in the squad. I am also impressed with their press knowing that Iranians are Persians, from my experience many people from Eastern Europe specially Balkans think Iran is Arab-speaking and Iranians are Arabs.

[Hosseini]

GN explaining his decisions for omissions in the squad, including Kanaani. My respect grew for him immensely for leaving Kanaani out of the squad, that actually takes guts. He cites the childlike mistake he made against Japan which "made us lose 3-0" and the actions he made against Uzbekistan and the referee in the CAFA cup.

[Ghermez Agha]

GN explaining his decisions for omissions in the squad, including Kanaani. My respect grew for him immensely for leaving Kanaani out of the squad, that actually takes guts. He cites the childlike mistake he made against Japan which "made us lose 3-0" and the actions he made against Uzbekistan and the referee in the CAFA cup.

good interview….my respect grew for him too. accountability in a team setting is super important and has not consistently been something past TM coaches have been, even CQ.

[Hosseini]

He's not a dalal which is asking a lot from an Iranian coach - he's making his own decisions and isn't worried about upsetting people, which is really important for a coach. They need agency to make tough decisions and (knock on wood) it looks like GN has that authority.

good interview….my respect grew for him too. accountability in a team setting is super important and has not consistently been something past TM coaches have been, even CQ.

[KasraKhan]

His tactical ineptness aside, one thing that General does is rule with clear authority. Oracle jan can attest.

[Hosseini]

Bulgaria will be a decent test. This is not a bad friendly. Perhaps the best match the general has had so far, on par with Russia and Uzbekistan. They gave Serbia some serious pressure.

[oracle]

His tactical ineptness aside, one thing that General does is rule with clear authority. Oracle jan can attest.

General is Ali parvin mini me.....
it's his way or the highway..he is very sensetive,
he has his own rules , he is great motivator,
, cross hiS RULEs, disrespect his rules,PLAYERS KNOW
THERE WILL BE CONSEQUENCES , on the field and off the field😅(hony kordeh will visit u)
he is respected and loved and feared by majority of soccer
players in iran, majority of the current tm players like him, theyrather have him then other persian coach.....

HE IS THE LAST "GOD FATHER"

[Abtin]

No one cares about Europe? Ok. 18:00 CET. pdt, ct, edt, gmt, now we only need time on the moon 😂

[Hosseini]

General is Ali parvin mini me.....
it's his way or the highway..he is very sensetive,
he has his own rules , he is great motivator,
, cross hiS RULEs, disrespect his rules,PLAYERS KNOW
THERE WILL BE CONSEQUENCES , on the field and off the field😅(hony kordeh will visit u)
he is respected and loved and feared by majority of soccer
players in iran, majority of the current tm players like him, theyrather have him then other persian coach.....

HE IS THE LAST "GOD FATHER"

What are the rules he is known for?

[Hosseini]

Bulgaria will be a decent test. This is not a bad friendly. Perhaps the best match the general has had so far, on par with Russia and Uzbekistan. They gave Serbia some serious pressure.

Worth noting too that Serbia only equalized in the 96th min. Bulgaria was seconds away from being able to hold on for a massive upset

[oracle]

Worth noting too that Serbia only equalized in the 96th min. Bulgaria was seconds away from being able to hold on for a massive upset

Playing against any European on their home ground is difficult....A TIE is ok...

[Hosseini]

Playing against any European on their home ground is difficult....A TIE is ok...

Tie is ok, not a bad result. Loss is out of question

Win is an excellent result on their home ground

[diz]

Training photos from final practice before match.

Highlights include Ramin striking a GQ pose (shocking), Hajsafi practicing his orbital launches, and Taremi's thighs/calves of steel.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cw3Trvarqzy/

[OFFSIDE_1]

And now they have 2 u.s presidential
candidates too THEY FEEL UNSTOPPABLE ...

plus a current VP in thw WH

[oracle]

entrance is free to Bulgaria and persian
Fans......
I think we will hear chants
Dodooridooo doodooridooooo
Iran
Through out the match..