Iran's Forgotten Generation

[KC McElroy]

The 1992 Asian Cup was a last hurrah for many of this generation. Once again we had an incredibly strong team although the very obvious cheating that took place robbed us of a title. We were unlucky to not only be in the same group as the hosts Japan, but also to face them in our last match, meaning that whatever the hosts needed by that last match they would be given against us. While Japan hit a brick wall for over half of the game, the arab ref sent off one of our players for a very casual foul. With only 3 minutes left the ref ignored a very clear offside and allowed Japan to score. To seal the deal he then red carded two more of our players. In an attempt to protect arab teams against the deadly force of Pious and Moharrami, the AFC handed them a year suspension each (even though it was Kermani Moghaddam who shoved the ref, not Pious). Watching our game and outcome against arogh in 2015, I could not help but remember this similar injustice done to us by AFC. A sad end to (most of) the strongest group of players to ever pull on a TM jersey. It's extremely painful to watch the footage.

The full game, the first bogus red card at 1:00:40:

[Iran_19]

That was the start of Japan domination in Asia, they even had a Brazilian player, Ramos in their line up. Yes our team was great in level of individual talents, but coaching was again an issue, First and only time in history we failed to advance from the group stage in Asian Cup, and Ali agha Parvin failure continued in 1994 WCQ as well.

[Iran_19]

Hans Ooft, Japan head coach during 1992 Asian Cup and Ruy Ramos, Japan Brazilian midfielder. Picture was probably taken in 1993 right after Japan failed to qualify for 1994 WC!

[KC McElroy]

That was the start of Japan domination in Asia, they even had a Brazilian player, Ramos in their line up. Yes our team was great in level of individual talents, but coaching was again an issue, First and only time in history we failed to advance from the group stage in Asian Cup, and Ali agha Parvin failure continued in 1994 WCQ as well.

Their real start was more like around 1997ish, coinciding with the J-League being in progress for a few years. This 1992 title was pretty much a false one given to them by AFC in hopes of creating another market and strong team in Asia. We were the better team on the field that day and had we not faced them in their last group game where they had to win to advance undoubtedly we would have beaten them. That first straight red card still baffles me an addition to all of the other weird calls. At the end of the game (1:38:20 in the video) we had a free kick and before we even took the shot the entire Japanese wall charged towards our player and the ref said nothing!

[Iran_19]

That was indeed heart breaking, painful and frustrating match to watch.

[Rooyintan]

I found the penalty kicks of the 1988 Asian Championship 3rd place game. Abedzadeh kept a clean sheet throughout the game and the shootout. I love how calmly Ghayeghran buries his game winning shot and does a bezan ghadesh gesture to the rest of the team. He truly left us well before his time. RIP.

Thank you for sharing.

I watched that game live on TV. It was the first tournament I watched Team Melli. Pity Team Melli lost to South Korea 3-0 and 1-0 to KSA.

I was very happy that generation won the 1990 Asian Games. It was so good to see Nader Mohammadkhani, Javad Zarincheh and Ahmad Reza Abedzadeh from this team plus Hamid Estili from 1990 Reserves and Mohammad Khakpour from 1990 World Cup Qualifier squad play at the 1998 World Cup. I still feel that Majid Namjoo-Motlagh, Ali Asghar Modir Rousta and Ebrahim Tahami should have gone to the 98 WC, it was so strange that Hamedani, Seraj, Latifi and few others were members of the 98WC squad!

[Iran_19]

I think South Korea was by far the strongest team in 88, they beat us 3-0 in last group stage match(both teams already have qualified for the elimination round before this match, Iran rested Abdezadeh and couple others), if we had a bit of luck we could probably beat Saudi in Semi. 3rd place was quite an achievement for a VERY YOUNG team of ZendeYaad Dehdaari.

[KC McElroy]

I think South Korea was by far the strongest team in 88, they beat us 3-0 in last group stage match(both teams already have qualified for the elimination round before this match, Iran rested Abdezadeh and couple others), if we had a bit of luck we could probably beat Saudi in Semi. 3rd place was quite an achievement for a VERY YOUNG team of ZendeYaad Dehdaari.

Kermani Moghaddam scored a legitimate goal against the 8-0ers that the ref disallowed without giving a reason for it.

[KC McElroy]

Thank you for sharing.

I watched that game live on TV. It was the first tournament I watched Team Melli. Pity Team Melli lost to South Korea 3-0 and 1-0 to KSA.

I was very happy that generation won the 1990 Asian Games. It was so good to see Nader Mohammadkhani, Javad Zarincheh and Ahmad Reza Abedzadeh from this team plus Hamid Estili from 1990 Reserves and Mohammad Khakpour from 1990 World Cup Qualifier squad play at the 1998 World Cup. I still feel that Majid Namjoo-Motlagh, Ali Asghar Modir Rousta and Ebrahim Tahami should have gone to the 98 WC, it was so strange that Hamedani, Seraj, Latifi and few others were members of the 98WC squad!

Namjoo Motlagh was definitely missed. Supposedly he wasn't considered as he was trying to solidify his status with a team abroad and refused call ups.

[Iran_19]

Kermani Moghaddam scored a legitimate goal against the 8-0ers that the ref disallowed without giving a reason for it.

Yes i remember that, and then that damn Majed Abdullah header.

[Iran_19]

Namjoo Motlagh was definitely missed. Supposedly he wasn't considered as he was trying to solidify his status with a team abroad and refused call ups.

I consider Namjoo as one of our best midfielders in last 30 years but to be honest, when he got the call for WCQ 1998 and played against Japan(Bagheri was suspended i believe?!), he wasn't fit enough, had some extra weights, so i am not sure about including him to 1998 WC squad.

[IRAN300]

Iran vs North Korea 1992 Asian Cup.

http://www.telewebion.com/episode/1658341/

[KC McElroy]

Iran vs North Korea 1992 Asian Cup.

http://www.telewebion.com/episode/1658341/

This video perfectly demonstrates why Pious is the best forward we have ever produced.

Does anyone have the full 1988 Iran-South Korea game?

[Bessos]

This video perfectly demonstrates why Pious is the best forward we have ever produced.

Does anyone have the full 1988 Iran-South Korea game?

These are only the highlights, it's the best I can find.

[KC McElroy]

These are only the highlights, it's the best I can find.

I need the full game. There's one particular incident in it that I'm looking for. This incident: http://www.persianfootball.com/forum...=1#post1698028