World Cup Qualifier: Uzbekistan - Iran; Info, Updates and Live Reports (06.10.2016)

[teammelli91]

This is going to be a very physical match.

It's always a physical match against a physical side like Uzbekistan.

We need to play smart and take advantage of our chances.

[Shatskikh]

This is going to be a very physical match.
It's always a physical match against a physical side like Uzbekistan.
We need to play smart and take advantage of our chances.

Uzbekistan plays more techniqually than physically I believe...

[DireStraits]

This is going to be a very physical match.
It's always a physical match against a physical side like Uzbekistan.
We need to play smart and take advantage of our chances.

Don't say that! It reminds me of Iran Iraq game. Guess what we have the same referee!
That is why I suggest we us part of our bench in this game.
-----------------------------Gucci-------------------------
Torabi--------------------------------------------Taremi--
-----------------------------shojaei-------------------
and so on.

[AhadUzbek]

a see a few new names on your team. What do you think, have they strengthened your team or weakened? (compared to the last WCQ) thank you.

[AhadUzbek]

Sorry for the off-top. I see certain similarities between Iranian and our football despite the fact you are influenced by Arab football and we are largely shaped in the Russian school. I was wondering, do you believe Iran to be more closer to Central Asia (Uzb, Tjk, Afg, Tkm etc) or to West Asia (basically Arab countries)?
Should there be a structural adjustment in AFC to have Iran move over to Central Asia region and give Central Asian Football Association sort of like similar weight as West Asia and East Asia regions?

[Nokhodi]

Sorry for the off-top. I see certain similarities between Iranian and our football despite the fact you are influenced by Arab football and we are largely shaped in the Russian school. I was wondering, do you believe Iran to be more closer to Central Asia (Uzb, Tjk, Afg, Tkm etc) or to West Asia (basically Arab countries)?
Should there be a structural adjustment in AFC to have Iran move over to Central Asia region and give Central Asian Football Association sort of like similar weight as West Asia and East Asia regions?

We certainly don't think we've been influenced by Arab football. If anything we go out of our way to distance ourselves from West Asia. In terms of football style, the past 20 years of Iranian football has mostly been influenced by Croatians.

Officially Iran is in the Central Asian Football Association, but none of the member FAs have any money or clout so its useless.

[Nader25]

Ahad Uzbek:
Thanks for your informative contribution on this forum,

I got an off-top question to you. I am curious to hear your opinion or in general the public opinion in your country about that match between qatar and uzbekistan, back in 2013 when it came to the 5-1 against qatar. Do you think it was a back-office-dealing?

[PersianLegion]

Sorry for the off-top. I see certain similarities between Iranian and our football despite the fact you are influenced by Arab football and we are largely shaped in the Russian school. I was wondering, do you believe Iran to be more closer to Central Asia (Uzb, Tjk, Afg, Tkm etc) or to West Asia (basically Arab countries)?
Should there be a structural adjustment in AFC to have Iran move over to Central Asia region and give Central Asian Football Association sort of like similar weight as West Asia and East Asia regions?

Our original style was inspired from South America and Eastern Europe. Since CQ came to our country, we are playing defensive football it doesn't mean we have been influenced by Arabs or west Asia. We distance ourselves from their style of football as much as possible. (We hate that style) As Nokhodi said Croats and Serbs had the most influence on our football for past 20-25 years.

I like to see a strong central Asian competition but it is up to our football associations.

[DireStraits]

Sorry for the off-top. I see certain similarities between Iranian and our football despite the fact you are influenced by Arab football and we are largely shaped in the Russian school. I was wondering, do you believe Iran to be more closer to Central Asia (Uzb, Tjk, Afg, Tkm etc) or to West Asia (basically Arab countries)?
Should there be a structural adjustment in AFC to have Iran move over to Central Asia region and give Central Asian Football Association sort of like similar weight as West Asia and East Asia regions?

I have suggested that I don't know how many times. Iranian football ferderation will accept your invitation gladly. Go for it we will support you.
Iran, Uzbakestan, Tjk, afg,..and also china. Asia is too large.

[DireStraits]

a see a few new names on your team. What do you think, have they strengthened your team or weakened? (compared to the last WCQ) thank you.

We have 7 players playing in EU 3 of the 7 are Champeon leagueL. So better than last world cup. Our defense is better as well as our forwards. I can't say the same thing about midfield but we only play with two.
I expect Iran to win with ease unless the referee is abnormal.

[perspolis#1]

One thing for sure. Our team has a lot more pace and power than last time we played Uzbekistan.

Heydari-->Jahanbakhsh
Karimi--->Ezzatollahi
Pejman Nouri-->Taremi
Beikzadeh-->Mohammadi

Ansarifard-->Azmoun

Adding Torabi as well is a big plus.

As for game plan, I hope we overload Uzbekistans right side and cut in onto Lobanov. I read that Lobanov makes mistakes and Azmoun can tap in those mistakes.

If Uzbekistan starts Akhmedov and Djeparov together dont expect their midfield to be quick but it will be experienced.

Both times Geynrikh came on second half he was dangerous. Worth noting his experience and to put on a third CB close to the end of the game if we are leading.

[diz]

Asia’s newest stars grabbing headlines

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=...hp_module_news

History proves that Asian qualifying for the FIFA World Cup™ has provided a platform for the continent's brightest and best young talents to emerge and shine. The campaign for Russia 2018 has proven to be no exception, with a series of highly-regarded young guns living up to expectations. FIFA.com runs the rule over some of the newer names making their mark in the race for Russia.

Ahmed Khalil
Forward, Al Ahli and United Arab Emirates
In a sense, the ongoing campaign for Russia 2018 has seen the 25-year-old striker truly establish himself as one of Asia's brightest stars. Khalil exploded onto the global scene at the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup where he helped fire United Arab Emirates to the quarter-finals. He rose to the occasion at last year's AFC Asian Cup by skippering UAE to the last four, before going on to help his side through Asia's second qualifying round for Russia 2018. Named AFC Player of the Year at the end of 2015, Khalil has continued his form into third-round qualifying and recently completed a stunning brace as UAE inflicted a rare defeat upon Japan in Saitama. Khalil now has extended his scoring tally to 13 – just one shy of tournament top-scorer Mohammad Al Sahlawi of Saudi Arabia. His goal-scoring form and leadership will be key if UAE are to end their 28-year World Cup drought.

Son Heungmin
Winger, Tottenham Hotspur and Korea Republic
Needless to say, Son Heungmin entered the competition as a truly established star following his exploits for Korea Republic and also several European clubs. Four years ago, Son came off the bench to score the match-winning goal as Korea Republic edged Qatar 2-1 in a qualifier for Brazil 2014. Now 24, Son has developed into the team's new talisman. With six goals, Son is Korea Republic’s top-scorer in qualifying. His importance was such that he nearly single-handedly steered his side to a 3-2 victory over China PR in the third round opening game at home, having a hand in all three of their goals. With Son missing the last outing against Syria, though, Korea Republic could manage no better than a goalless draw. The Tottenham man’s pace, thrust and goal-scoring form will be a welcome boost for Korea Republic as they aim to bounce back in their next fixture against Qatar.

Sardar Azmoun
Forward, Rostov and Iran
With superb pace, aerial ability and consummate control of the ball, 21-year-old Sardar Azmoun is a promising star for Iran. His rise to fame was, indeed, meteoric when he helped Team Melli to the last eight with two of the tournament's finest strikes at the 2015 Asian Cup. With the striking prodigy raring to go, Asian World Cup qualifying provided him with the stage to further showcase his predatory talents. Seven goals from five matches is his impressive goal-scoring rate leaving Azmoun as the team's top-scorer. With the qualifying campaign reaching the decisive third round, expectations are growing that Azmoun can continue his prolific form and help Iran advance to Russia 2018.

Igor Sergeev
Forward, Beijing Guoan and Uzbekistan
Like Khalil, the 23-year-old Igor Sergeev originally made a name for himself at the FIFA U-20 World Cup, and his two goals helped Uzbekistan into the last eight at Turkey 2013. By doing so, he underlined his status as one of Asia's hottest prospects having finished as the tournament’s top-scorer with seven goals in the 2012 AFC U-19 Championship. The slim striker further learnt his trade with local giants Pakhtakor Tashkent, with whom he managed 51 goals from 97 appearances across four seasons. Now battle-hardened, Sergeev began to make a real impact with the national team, scoring the match-winner against Korea DPR in last year's Asian Cup, and he has now netted four times as Uzbekistan reached Asia's final qualifying round for Russia 2018.

Massimo Luongo
Midfielder, Queens Park Rangers and Australia
It seemed that Massimo Luongo came from nowhere to take last year’s Asian Cup by storm, dazzling with an array of goals and assists as hosts Australia clinched their maiden continental title. Indeed, such was the then 21-year-old’s impact he was named Player of the Tournament. He has continued that form scoring three goals in the Russia 2018 campaign. With an uncanny ability to dribble past rival defenders, plus a nose for goal, the fleet-footed youngster adds an extra dimension to Australia’s attack.

Takuma Asano
Forward, VfB Stuttgart and Japan
Takuma Asano's record for Japan may be modest thus far, with just two goals from seven international appearances. One of those two goals came in the last outing against Thailand in Asia's World Cup qualifying, when the 21-year-old sealed an important 2-0 away victory as the Samurai Blue bounced back from their 2-1 home loss to UAE. The Thailand game marked only his second outing during qualifying, but Asano's potential cannot be underestimated considering his form in the Men's Olympic Football Tournament Rio 2016. After joining Arsenal mid-year, before being loaned to Stuttgart, Gunners’ manager Arsene Wenger referred to Asano as "a talented young striker and very much one for the future".

[naderb94]

Why is Omar Abdul Rahman not on that article?

[perspolis#1]

Why is Omar Abdul Rahman not on that article?

Because he can't do anything against a physical side. He has good vision/technique/and positional awareness and that where he stops being a giant killer. All you need to do is tackle him roughly 4-5 times and he is done out of the game. He wouldn't cut it in a physical league at all. Maybe La Liga but he would be chasing better passers. EPL tackles would crunch him.

See Iran vs. UAE AFC 2015
UAE vs Australia WCQ 2018
UAE vs Australia AFC 2015

[Ghermez Agha]

a see a few new names on your team. What do you think, have they strengthened your team or weakened? (compared to the last WCQ) thank you.

We have gotten significantly stronger since the last time we met. Before we had striker issues, Reza Ghoochannejhad was just breaking into team meli to solve that problem but he wasn't really settled then since it was his first few games. Since then he has been one of the best players in the squad and also the emergence of the young stud sardar azmoun has also made our forward line stronger. Ansarifard who plays in Greece is really good too but for the national team he's not quite as good for club. Mehdi Taremi the top scorer from last season is on a decline but he has immense potential and on a good day can be extremely dangerous for Uzbekistan.

In the midfield we got deeper too, we had issues with Attacking mid fielders and weren't as deep with wingers whereas now we have so many options.

Basically to answer your question in a broader point, our squad has gotten so deep that any player in the squad id say is worthy of being a starter, a lot of people share that sentiment for the most part and it's something Caros Querioz himself acknowledged a few weeks ago.

For Uzbekistan, something they should look to exploit is our RB spot if Rezaeian is playing there. He hasn't played a club game yet this season and had some really suspect moments against Qatar and China, although he was better in the China game vs the Qatar game. Beiranvand is also vulnerable so those are the two things your team should look to exploit.

How has Uzbekistan been? From what I saw in the AC and the bit I have seen from them in the WCQs they don't look much different than last phase am I right? Ahmedov and Djeparov have already passed their peak and I don't think there are players who match their quality, at least from what I have seen.

I know genriykh and rashidov are very good though. Are they regarded as the best these days in UZB? And also (I really hope) Lobanov is still the starting keeper, he's also pretty vulnerable if our forwards are having a good day it could be a big problem for UZB.