U-17 World Cup 2017

[littlepersia17]

Also having Varzesh channel and all Euro Football games on TV has helped. Bright kids can pick up ideas rom TV shown matches and all they need is some practice. When Varzesh channel did not exist and when IRIB did not show much o the oreign games we looked weaker

Very interesting point. I remember around 10-12 years ago, irib 3 would just focus on La Liga and UCL. Nowadays, you have at least 2 EPL games live each week, Real, Barca, and some times some Serie A games too. It's also improved in broadcasting, as back in the days you could hear the Al Jazeera commentators on speaking over the top of irib commentators (irib basically used to just buy a subscription and blur out the Al Jazeera logo).

[teammelli91]

CQ has inspired them indirectly. A team that goes to world cup and almost beats Argentina provides a lot of inspiration for the youth.

Now imagine the inspiration it will provide for our youth when we do better this World Cup or make it to the round of 16

[diz]

FIFA U-17 World Cup: Iran, the Leicester City in quarters

Kochi: Less-fancied Iran will look to do a Leicester City when they take on three-time runners-up Spain in a quarter-final clash of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup here on Sunday.

This is the first time Iran have progressed this far, with the other seven teams previously making it to the quarter-finals at least once in the tournament.

Leicester too defied all odds to win the English Premier League (EPL) title a year back.

While Ghana and Brazil have laid their hands on the silverware twice and thrice respectively, Spain, England, Mali and the US have all reached the knockout stages.

The 2016 AFC U-16 Championships runners-up forced one and all to take notice when they upstaged heavyweights Germany 4-0 in a Group C encounter.

With four wins from four matches, scoring 12 goals while conceding just two, Iran have marched in style to the quarter-finals, defeating Mexico 2-1 in their Round of 16 encounter in Goa.

Before India 2017, Iran in the U-17 World Cup reached the pre-quarters once in three appearances. Since coming to India, they have taken the competition by storm.

One of the interesting aspects in Iran`s play has been their control of matches despite having less possession of the ball.

It was 40-60 in their first match against Guinea; while against Germany they kept the ball for a little longer (43 per cent).

The match against Costa Rica saw them spend more time on the ball (48 per cent). Against Mexico, Iraq had 35 per cent ball possession.

It was all about cashing in on the right moment and maintaining shape so that they do not leak bad goals.

"Although spending so much time behind the ball definitely saps your energy, we give our all for the team`s success. Winning the match means we`ve achieved our goal," is how midfielder Mohammad Sharifi describes it.

Their team spirit is something to take note of. During the warm-up, substitutes applaud the starting 11 as they complete their final exercise.

Minutes later, a loud cheer of encouragement goes up from inside the changing room before the players make their way to the pitch.

"We are one team, and we can only succeed with solidarity and team spirit!" says captain Mohammad Ghobeishavi.

http://zeenews.india.com/football/fi...s-2051003.html

[diz]

Iranians give two hoots to ball possession

KOCHI: When Iran national team qualified for the 2018 Fifa World Cup in June, their coach Carlos Queiroz said that his team will not be going to Russia as tourists that they are really serious about a knockout place. Queiroz's men will have the inspiration to draw from their junior team who have been turning heads with their stellar performances in the U-17 World Cup here in India. Under experienced coach Chamanian Abbas, Iran colts have already written a history of their own becoming the first team from the country to reach as far as the quarterfinals in the tournament's history.

Iran have the best goal difference in the tournament, 10. They have banged in 12 goals so far in four matches and have let in only two. One thing becomes clear from their play so far that it is not frantic attack that has fetched them the results, rather the awareness to catch the opponents napping with quick counters and a solid defence. They have clearly been second-best in ball possession, in all four of their matches. Even in their 4-0 thrashing of Germany in the group stage, they had only 43% possession. In the other matches, the numbers read 40, 48 and 35 against Guinea, Costa Rica and Mexico respectively. The maximum pressure the Iranians were put under were in the pre-quarter against Mexico. After taking an early two-goal lead, they had to fend off sustained attacks from the Mexicans but managed to hold on for a 2-1 win. Iran goalkeeper Ali Gholam Zadeh also rose to the challenge coming up with some crucial saves.

Much has been talked about the Iran forwards Allahyar Sayyad and Younes Delfi, who have scored three and two goals respectively, but their back-four of Ali Satavi, Ahmed Jalali, Majid Nasiri and Taha Shariati have held fort commendably. The fact that they have kept German captain Jann-Fiete Arp, already a Bundesliga player who has scored four goals in the tournament, quiet is a testament to their resilience.


"Our first objective is to keep a clean sheet," defence master Shariati told Fifa's official website. "Our second objective is to score a goal, and our third objective is to defend our advantage and win the match," he added giving a glimpse into the Iranians' football philosophy.


The Iranians seem to thrive on their team spirit too and no attacking pair has been as menacing as Sayyad and Delfi have been as demonstrated by their mauling of the Germans. "We are a team with players who have big hearts. No one player can individually take a team to this level. We are all united in our goals," Delfi had said after the match against Germany. A major setback for Iran when they take on Spain will be that they will be missing the services of Delfi who has been suspended after accumulating two yellow cards.


While it's great to have a great camaraderie, to reap the benefits of it you need a seasoned tactician and Abbas has proved to be just that for the Iranians and come Sunday Abbas would not be fretting much about possession against a Spanish team which prides itself on holding the ball. He would know it's not the ball at your feet, but the ball in the back of the net that matters.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...w/61148620.cms

[diz]

Iran prove adversity only strengthens their resolve with win over Mexico

The group stage was relatively breezy for Iran with Guinea being the only team they faced that posed anything close to a threat. Two comprehensive wins against Germany and Costa Rica followed and Iran were through to the Round of 16. Till now, Iran's deceptively solid back four had been quietly doing its job. On Tuesday night against Mexico, their toil was apparent for the first time.

Iran fought off a spirited second-half display from Mexico to emerge 2-1 winners and made history in the process by reaching the quarter-finals of the tournament for the first time. To better their best result at the U-17 World Cup, Iran had to work harder than ever and the big achievement came as a result of a big performance.

With a quickfire two goal-lead, Iran seemed to have put the fixture to bed, just like they did in their last two games. But that oddly inexplicable comment about a two-goal-lead being dangerous reared its head in the game later on when Mexico fought back hard. Iran's steely defence held on against a Mexican wave on a humid Goan night and proved they could handle pressure situations as well as any.

Iran started with five at the back this time; centre-half Majid Nasiri slotted in at the back, replacing the suspended midfielder Mohammad Ghobeishavi. It seemed to be a cautious approach, justified by the knockout nature of the game and vindicated by the end of 90 minutes. Mexico had qualified as the third-placed team from Group F but weren't to be taken lightly.

Against England, one of the strongest teams in the tournament, Mexico had mounted a strong comeback that almost earned them a point. The match had ended 3-2 after England had taken a three-goal lead by the 55th minute. Diego Lainez, who plays in the centre of the park, had scored two goals causing a scare among English ranks. Mexico had even held Asian champions Iraq to a 1-1 draw. It wasn't without reason that Iran were heedful.

And sure enough, Mexico launched an offensive from the first minute, earning a free-kick at the edge of the box on the right. Jairo Torres' smart free-kick found Roberto de la Rosa in the box whose shot was blocked by Iranian bodies in front of the goal. But Iran quickly turned the tables around and grabbed the game by the scruff of its neck.

Left-back Adrian Vasquez was lethargic with his control and clearance on a cross in his box and Mohammad Ghaderi was lightning-quick to pounce on the second ball. Vasquez lunged from behind bringing Ghaderi down and Iran were awarded a penalty in the seventh minute itself. Mohamad Sharifi sent the ’keeper the wrong way with a cool side-footed finish and Iran had the early lead they wanted.

Soon, things got even better for Iran as they doubled their lead with a quick counter. Allahyar Sayyad ran and slipped through Mexican centre-halves Luis Olivas and Carlos Robles and lobbed Cesar Lopez, who was way off his line for his third goal of the World Cup. Mexico, though looking sharp up front, had conceded twice within 11 minutes.

The proceedings were all too familiar. Iran had a big lead early on and they would surely not let it slip. But Mexico offered them a fight they had not yet waged in the tournament thus far. To Mexico's credit, they didn't panic after going giving away two goals in a do-or-die match. Instead, they patiently built up play and maintained possession of the ball, slowly but surely chipping away at the Iranian defence.

Ali Satavi, Ahmad Jalali and Nasiri, the three centre-halves on the night, kept the line tight and pre-emptively disrupted Mexico's chances. The communication between the Iran backline seemed to be the key. Frustrated at not finding a way in, Torres tried a shot from distance as well. His fine effort was matched by an equally fine save from Ali Zadeh.

Mexico's efforts, however, bore fruit in the 37th minute when they pulled one back through an excellent finish from De La Rosa, who engineered the move in the first place. His ball found Daniel Lopez on the right wing, who put a decent cross in the box. Torres received the ball and his vicious shot at goal was parried by Zadeh, but the rebound fell on an unmarked De La Rosa who had ventured into the box. His low shot went into the bottom corner of the goal. Mexico had a golden opportunity to equalise just before half-time.

Mexico came out of the break with a positive outset; they had momentum on their side. They left no stone unturned in their efforts to find an equaliser in the second half, but the Iranian defence, which has been lauded for its solidity and grit, showed that it was worthy of all the praise. Mexico tried and tried and tried, but just could not break down Iran. They did come close on multiple occasions, but Iran's sheer will and Zadeh's heroics between the goalposts withstood the onslaught.

Mexico were even denied by the post on one occasion, as Torres' curling free-kick from the left hit the framework. By the end of it, Iran were completely out of steam. They had run down every inch, blocked, cleared and parried Mexico's efforts to score and the weather did not help either. The fatigue was particularly visible towards the end of the game when Iran sat back, soaking the Mexican offensive.

Sayyad, who probably ran more than any other person on the field, got a chance to put it to bed towards the dying minutes when he was through on goal. With one final effort he ran through and shot a goal, but the Mexican custodian and rushed in and squeezed the space, thus blocking the shot. Iran hung on for six very long minutes of added time and fell on their backs as the referee blew the whistle.

Sayyad was down with a cramp, but there was only joy on his face. Iran had been pushed to the very last inch to earn a place in the quarter-finals. They proved on the night that their resolve only gets stronger under adversity. They will face one of the tournament favourites Spain in Kochi in the next round; their toughest test yet. But Spain know the test Iran pose themselves.

Spain have played in Kochi in the group stage and hence will be more familiar with the conditions. Iran will also be missing Younes Delfi, who picked up a yellow for a silly foul against Mexico and will be suspended for the next clash. Delfi has been an electrifying presence down the right wing and has scored two goals in the tournament as well. But expect Iran to be resolute as a rock. They'll have to concentrate and defend harder than ever against a team that creates chances out of thin air. And if they can hold the Spanish fleet at bay, they could come good on their coach's word and reach the semi-finals.

http://www.firstpost.com/sports/fifa...o-4155565.html

[mistermo]

Stuck on a plane from Frankfurt to TO during the game, so bummed out. maybe I can buy internet on the flight?

[St_Mark]

The Spanish U17 squad prepares the Iran match


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The team trained by Santi Denia prepares the match of the quarterfinals of the World Cup of India against Iran. The clash will be played next Sunday October 22 at 13:30 hours (Spanish peninsula hour)

[St_Mark]

earlier In Azarbeijan
In Hotel-skills

[ehsan singapore]

is a hard game for iran, but if we believe we can do it!

[sirvan]

What day and time is the game vs Spain?

[nisfejahan]

The most likeable attribute of this youth team, is the amount of confidence they show in themselves when they play. Spain is tough, but these guys are not going to be intimidated.

Can't wait.....

[Tehranto]

The most likeable attribute of this youth team, is the amount of confidence they show in themselves when they play. Spain is tough, but these guys are not going to be intimidated.
Can't wait.....

Also, they have a very calm demeanor and have great chemistry on and off the field. Great job to Abbas C., who is certified (UEFA pro-level) - a complete aberration in our Ali Asgar, party-bazi football.

I have a good feeling vs. Spain. Hope our boys can do it!

[Doctor DOOM]

Bcoz a calm coach exudes calmness and focus onto the team. Just as much as a hyperactive, nervous coach transfers nervousness and stress onto his team
Chamanian seems like a calm chap

[webmaster]

What day and time is the game vs Spain?

Match 47

22Oct

ESP


IRN


17:00 PM in India

04:30 AM CA time.

[Paradigm]

The Spanish sneaked past France by a late penalty kick. It would have been almost surely reversed if VAR tech was being used. France looked like a nearly all-African team: Quite big and physical but not as much technical. Does Iran have any top un-used players on the bench? Maybe from the Foolad academy....