Iran vs. Uzbekistan - [Match Thread] | World Cup 2026 Qualifier | November 21st |

[Kavian]

I suppose it's because Ghalenoei doesn't speak English? 😂

GN doesn't speak Farsi neither

[milad_b]

Uzbekistan has a great manager + 3 top players. Katenac (former iraq manager) knows how to play against us, i think this will be his 6th time playing against us. 2 wins , 2 losses and 1 draw.

Uzbek Players To watch out:
Shomurodov
Masharipov
Ganiev
Sergeev

[Kavian]

Any news on the line up?

[oracle]

Hajsafi wants to be the first persian player ever to be in 4 wc ....in the row...

[oracle]

most probable line up
Biravand
Ramin kanani. Shoja hs
. Saeed. Cheshmi
Mohebi. Torabi
Sardar. Mehdi

[perspolis#1]

Ezatolahi and Cheshmi do not compliment each other well, both are slow and the similar type of CDM. The reason our CDM's worked so well in the past is we had partnerships like Ando and Nekounam where Ando covered space, put constant pressure, and made tackles, where Nekounam made more passes and took long range shots. I actually think Nourolahi worked better as he had more "Ando" like features, and complimented Ezatolahi, but he is no longer in the squad. Given the shortage we have, having Hajsafi covering space would be much better next to Ezatolahi in my opinion, or even Ali Karimi.

Cheshmi is better to come out near the end of the game when we have the lead to slow things down.

Yeah I agree they dont compliment well Karimi is my choice next to him. Basically meant we cannot play single pivot with Ezatolahi or him with Ghoddos next to him only especially if Uzbekistan is using 5 midfielders.

[milad_b]

most probable line up
Biravand
Ramin kanani. Shoja hs
. Saeed. Cheshmi
Mohebi. Torabi
Sardar. Mehdi

Apart from cheshmi i like your formation but I doubt we see this line up. I think saman ghoddos will start. Uzbeks have playing with 3 CB in the back so they play deffensive football. Once the concede Katenac will take out one CB and bring in attacking player in instead.

This is probably what we see:
-------------Beiro------------------
Ramin--Kanani-Shoja-Hajsafi
Ghoddos-----Saeed-------Mohebi/Torabi
MehrMo----------------------Taremi
--------------Sardar---------------

[oracle]

Apart from cheshmi i like your formation but I doubt we see this line up. I think saman ghoddos will start. Uzbeks have playing with 3 CB in the back so they play deffensive football. Once the concede Katenac will take out one CB and bring in attacking player in instead.

This is probably what we see:
-------------Beiro------------------
Ramin--Kanani-Shoja-Hajsafi
Ghoddos-----Saeed-------Mohebi/Torabi
MehrMo----------------------Taremi
--------------Sardar---------------

General is super paranoid
I think he will go 2 dmf saeed with either cheshmi,ebrahimi or karimi...

I prefer saeed next to ghodos...dont like 2 dmf againat uzbakistan....korea,japan,australia ksa yes on 2 dmf rest of asia no.

[Pluto2000]

We have enough quality on offense that we should be going all out on attack. So what if we concede 1 goal? lets score 3. I think playing defensively is bad for us, because Sardar won't get any service and we will get shithoused into a tie or loss. It almost happened in CAFA cup final

[arj42]

We have enough quality on offense that we should be going all out on attack. So what if we concede 1 goal? lets score 3. I think playing defensively is bad for us, because Sardar won't get any service and we will get shithoused into a tie or loss. It almost happened in CAFA cup final

Exactly. No matter how “decent” Uzbekistan is, playing defensively against them is def not the right mentality. Boys should attack the way they have been in every other game. Like kateb mentioned, playing the other powerhouses is a Differnt stiry

[BacheLot]

Saman must be a starter to play a sorta free Midfield role
mostly connecting the D to offense transition game ...it'd be foolish to bench him after his last impressive feature..!!
we are way overrating the uzbeks.. they are eternal chokers and right now scared shittless of facing us ... you can't let give them the all important confidence required by lining up and playing a chicken shittt defensive football .... !!

This is the toughest test yet for GN ... finally the 1st real serious one tbh in an official game...he better not fk it up..!!
lets see your footballe hoojoomi agha...

-------------Beiro------------------
Ramin--Kanani-Shoja---MilMo
-------Saeed-------HajSafi
mohebi------Ghoddos-------Taremi
--------------Sardar---------------

[diz]

Last practice before match

[Pluto2000]

I'm gonna be controversial and make Taremi a midfielder . As bachelot jan mentioned, I think Ghoddos play deep in the middle will help out with defensive stability and distribution

Beiro

Ramin - Kanaani - Majid Hosseini - Milmo

Ghoddos - Saeed - Taremi

Mohebi - Azmoun - Torabi

[oracle]

General when he became tm hc said
other teams will score 2 we will score 3..
basically he said he is not scared to get scored on he will simply outscore them.
Playing with 2 dmf against uzbakistan is contradicting himself....

Memo to general :
Hope your kidney feels better but playing for tie
And have your assistants
Talk about uzbak as if it's italy at home it will not make them italy......a tie is ok if you go on attack, but playing for tie with 2 dmf it makes you hypocrite.......

GENERALLL. EEEEEEE SHOJAYEH MAAAAAA

[aria32]

I like idea if hajsafi as midfielder but can’t remember the last time he was used there for TM.

My predicted lineup is:

Beiro
Ramin - Kanani - Shoja - Hajsafi
Ezza - Ebrahimi
Ghoddos
Mohebi - Azmoun - Taremi

Ghoddos will move to a Taremi-esque role connecting midfield to attack. Taremi will replace AJB as winger. Ebrahimi will slot in next to Ezza for more midfield support. I think this kind of lineup offers perfect balance although I wouldn’t be against Milmo playing instead of Hajsafi. And Hosseini playing instead of Shoja.