TM starting XI WC Qualifying

[Sly]

Ebrahimi is more experienced. If Ali Karimi starts getting games in Dinamo and plays consistently no doubt he will be ahead

He isn't getting playing time yet. besides, we can't just field too much inexperienced young players at the same time vs a decent team like Qatar

Sure, for this game against Qatar I agree but for the coming games, even if Ali Karimi doesn't get playing time I think his training will be far ahead of the IPL based players'. I mean it's not like Ebrahimi is very experienced either! If Ando was healthy and playing I'd understand but...

[Ab-Gosht]

I don't know why everyone select Ebrahimi beside Ezzatollahi when we have Ali Karimi playing in Dinamo Zagreb!

what do you mean playing? He wasn't even in squad in CL

[Iranianarsenal11]

Regarding Beiranvand/Haghighi, I may be biased, but I would still go with Haghighi. I'm sorry, but even though Haghighi has been out of form lately, I don't see how a IPL goalkeeper could take the position away from a Primeira League GK, even if he hasn't started many games. I can see Beiranvand as the starter for now though until Haghighi gets in shape.

What's everyone's take on our back four? I think we can all agree Hajsafi is better off at LM? Does Vouria take Ramins spot at RB? Can Milad Mo adapt as a solid LB? Can Pouraliganji become our next Hosseini or even better?

As for the Central Midfielders, even though I trash the IPL a lot, I got to admit Ebrahimi isn't that bad. I like him for the short term. For long term (WC if we make it) hopefully Ali Karimi and Ezatolahi can be our future.

[Z Joon]

It would be completely wrong to think that just because a player is attached to a European team, he is therefore better.

Look at our players: Rezaeian might play in the Turkish league but Ghafouri is a better player and always performed better than him. Although I am a Sepahan fan Ali Karimi is not ready at all to start, but would probably be a good option from the bench very soon as he develops in Dinamo, Ando and Ebrahimi both play in Iran but are better players. Taremi (until now) played at Persepolis but was still a better performer than Ansarifard who was playing in Segunda Liga, and was banging the goals this season in the Greek League (although that will most likely change with his attitude and will decline sooner than Karim if the latter stays in Europe).

And same for the goalkeepers, Haghighi other than the Argentina game where our excellent defensive structure made him look better, constantly always had average and below-average performances at best both in his club and national career, very shaky, shocking on low crosses, always comes off his line way too soon, bad penalty saver. Beiranvand at 21-22 years old was already performing better than Haghighi in his whole career (and he is just 23 now which is extremely young in the gk world).

Warming the bench in Russia or Portugal doesn't make you a superior player, Rahmati for instance always played in Iran his whole career but is in a different class than Haghighi, and Rahmati now is very far from his peak. From our national pool if we exclude Rahmati, both Beiranvand and Mazaheri are just superior keepers, Haghighi right now is kept for his "experience" but it's just a matter of time until he permanently loses his spot (if he didn't already).

[Iranianarsenal11]

It would be completely wrong to think that just because a player is attached to a European team, he is therefore better.

Look at our players: Rezaeian might play in the Turkish league but Ghafouri is a better player and always performed better than him. Although I am a Sepahan fan Ali Karimi is not ready at all to start, but would probably be a good option from the bench very soon as he develops in Dinamo, Ando and Ebrahimi both play in Iran but are better players. Taremi (until now) played at Persepolis but was still a better performer than Ansarifard who was playing in Segunda Liga, and was banging the goals this season in the Greek League (although that will most likely change with his attitude and will decline sooner than Karim if the latter stays in Europe).

And same for the goalkeepers, Haghighi other than the Argentina game where our excellent defensive structure made him look better, constantly always had average and below-average performances at best both in his club and national career, very shaky, shocking on low crosses, always comes off his line way too soon, bad penalty saver. Beiranvand at 21-22 years old was already performing better than Haghighi in his whole career (and he is just 23 now which is extremely young in the gk world).

Warming the bench in Russia or Portugal doesn't make you a superior player, Rahmati for instance always played in Iran his whole career but is in a different class than Haghighi, and Rahmati now is very far from his peak. From our national pool if we exclude Rahmati, both Beiranvand and Mazaheri are just superior keepers, Haghighi right now is kept for his "experience" but it's just a matter of time until he permanently loses his spot (if he didn't already).

Respect your answer. Thanks for the reply. Hopefully we can see Beiranvand in Europe soon then

[PurePersian]

What's the forum's general view about Daniel Mahini?

He really impressed me after the Kyrgyzstan game, reminding me of Hossein Mahini or Pouladi back in their peak.

[mahestan]

It would be completely wrong to think that just because a player is attached to a European team, he is therefore better.

Look at our players: Rezaeian might play in the Turkish league but Ghafouri is a better player and always performed better than him. Although I am a Sepahan fan Ali Karimi is not ready at all to start, but would probably be a good option from the bench very soon as he develops in Dinamo, Ando and Ebrahimi both play in Iran but are better players. Taremi (until now) played at Persepolis but was still a better performer than Ansarifard who was playing in Segunda Liga, and was banging the goals this season in the Greek League (although that will most likely change with his attitude and will decline sooner than Karim if the latter stays in Europe).

And same for the goalkeepers, Haghighi other than the Argentina game where our excellent defensive structure made him look better, constantly always had average and below-average performances at best both in his club and national career, very shaky, shocking on low crosses, always comes off his line way too soon, bad penalty saver. Beiranvand at 21-22 years old was already performing better than Haghighi in his whole career (and he is just 23 now which is extremely young in the gk world).

Warming the bench in Russia or Portugal doesn't make you a superior player, Rahmati for instance always played in Iran his whole career but is in a different class than Haghighi, and Rahmati now is very far from his peak. From our national pool if we exclude Rahmati, both Beiranvand and Mazaheri are just superior keepers, Haghighi right now is kept for his "experience" but it's just a matter of time until he permanently loses his spot (if he didn't already).

I agree with almost everything you have stated, but I just can't see Mazaheri as a superior keeper than Haghighi. I put them in the same category after couple of horrible mistakes during the U-23 Japan game.

[Z Joon]

I agree with almost everything you have stated, but I just can't see Mazaheri as a superior keeper than Haghighi. I put them in the same category after couple of horrible mistakes during the U-23 Japan game.

I think you are confusing Mazaheri with Akhbari who was the U23 keeper. Mazaheri is definitely a better keeper, Akhbari is young and will eventually get there as well

[mahestan]

I think you are confusing Mazaheri with Akhbari who was the U23 keeper. Mazaheri is definitely a better keeper, Akhbari is young and will eventually get there as well

Whoops, I stand corrected, I got them mixed up. I have not seen Mazaheri play so I will take your word for it.

[sirvan]

Normally i advocate the 4-3-3 system, but i would like to see the 4-2-3-1 system for these games:

Beiranvand

Ghafouri Montazeri Pouraliganji Mohammadi

Ando Ezatolahi

Jahanbakhsh Dejagah Torabi

Azmoun

[Sly]

Whoops, I stand corrected, I got them mixed up. I have not seen Mazaheri play so I will take your word for it.

Mazaheri was hands down the best Iranian goalkeeper (inside or outside Iran) last season. If he keeps the same level this season, I think he should start in TM even ahead of Beiravand!

[Iranianarsenal11]

Mazaheri was hands down the best Iranian goalkeeper (inside or outside Iran) last season. If he keeps the same level this season, I think he should start in TM even ahead of Beiravand!

U think he can go to europe?

[Sly]

U think he can go to europe?

I doubt it! He's already 27 years old even though it's still good for a goalkeeper.

[persiangodfather]

Taremi is in for me esp vs Qatar

[BacheLot]

CQ's likely line-up vs Gutter:

Beiranvand
Rezaeeian-Montazeri-Hosseini-HajSafi
Ezzatollahi-Ebrahimi
Dejagah-Taremi-ARJ/Amiri
Azmoun

mine:

Beiranvand
Montazeri- PAG- Hosseini-MiMo
Ezzatollahi-Ebrahimi
Jahanbakhsh-Dejagah-Torabi
Azmoun