Why FIFA Rankings could be the reason Team Melli doesn't play "strong" friendlies...

[Javeed]

Hello everybody... after a long absence from posting on these boards (I've still lurked daily), I have something of value I'd like to share.

There seems to be a consensus on these boards that Team Melli doesn't play enough friendlies against strong opponents in order to "test" our players. While this may be true, there could be good reason as to why CQ and the IFF don't schedule these friendlies. The reason? FIFA Rankings.

Here is an interesting article that talks about how Wales and Romania used to FIFA rankings system to set themselves up for the best route to qualification to Russia: http://thesetpieces.com/world-footba...ss-calculator/

If you don't feel like reading the article, I'll sum it up for you. Wales and Romania don't treat friendly matches as "just friendlies". They consistently call-up their best players, as they are actively trying to win and improve their FIFA Rankings. As they climb the rankings, they are drawn into more favourable qualifying groups - thus, increasing their odds for qualification.

So next time you see Team Melli line up against the likes of Syria, Oman, or Turkmenistan for a friendly - don't be upset, consider the fact that there may be strategic factors behind the scheduling of the "friendly".

EDIT: One last thing - If they are using this strategy, it's working... we are currently 23rd in the world.

[Ab-Gosht]

u are right, except for the fact that if iran today faces oman in a friendly, even if they win they will lose ranking points! go and read about the ranking system and you will understand why, u can even calculate the points.

[DR Strangemoosh]

If anything, in this new period, Iran's opponents have been stronger than ever before since the revolution. There was a period in the early/mid 2000s when we were playing Jordan almost every 6 months. And when we played other national teams, they rarely brought their strongest XI. Now at least we have Chile, Sweden, Japan, a full strength Jovetic-containing Montenegro. We aren't playing enough friendlies.

I don't think fifa rankings are anything to go by. When the algorithm changed in 2006 and Iran jumped up hugely, it didn't change anything in the eyes of the fans. The primary reason why Iran's opponents aren't strong are:

- IFF's negotiation skills
- Iran's political pariah status and uncertainty that this creates
- Not very lucrative for top teams compared to e.g. Qatar, UAE

[Javeed]

u are right, except for the fact that if iran today faces oman in a friendly, even if they win they will lose ranking points! go and read about the ranking system and you will understand why, u can even calculate the points.

Actually, if Iran beats Oman we will still gain rankings points. However, I do understand your point. If Iran keeps playing minnows, eventually we will lose ranking points no matter what.

[saeed_noro]

nothing new, this is right, but this should only be until you qualify for a tournament. when you qualify for the tournament, you should play the best. for world cup qualification head groups, only fifa ranking 1-7 is important (for qualified nations) + hosts. And iran will never be in the top 7 or 8 teams, because we are playing in asia and the factor (coefficient) is low, we can not do it, just if we win the world cup and asian cup...and try to held this position.


It is good to be in the Top 20 or Top 25 nations, but romania football is not the same anymore, very low quality right now. also wales will have a difficult task to make it.


Another reason why south american teams have always good position in fifa ranking is because their confederation has the second highes coefficient, next to europe, and their victories in the 10-team groups, makes big steps in fifa ranking.

Our fifa ranking is important for asian group header and for world cup qualification group headers in the final group phase, like this group...we avoided Australia..

[Javeed]

nothing new, this is right, but this should only be until you qualify for a tournament. when you qualify for the tournament, you should play the best. for world cup qualification head groups, only fifa ranking 1-7 is important (for qualified nations) + hosts. And iran will never be in the top 7 or 8 teams, because we are playing in asia and the factor (coefficient) is low, we can not do it, just if we win the world cup and asian cup...and try to held this position.
It is good to be in the Top 20 or Top 25 nations, but romania football is not the same anymore, very low quality right now. also wales will have a difficult task to make it.
Another reason why south american teams have always good position in fifa ranking is because their confederation has the second highes coefficient, next to europe, and their victories in the 10-team groups, makes big steps in fifa ranking.
Our fifa ranking is important for asian group header and for world cup qualification group headers in the final group phase, like this group...we avoided Australia..

Agree 100%. Although some may argue that we are not the best team in Asia for the past 2-3 years, according to FIFA we are. Due to our ranking, we were drawn in to the easiest Qualifying Group we've ever had.

[Camran khan]

Not the same in Asia though.. Sure in Europe it's real important to be top seed but in Asia we will more or less almost always be top 4.

[Ab-Gosht]

Actually, if Iran beats Oman we will still gain rankings points. However, I do understand your point. If Iran keeps playing minnows, eventually we will lose ranking points no matter what.

No we will lose ranking points even if iran manage to win! Why? Because ranking is only using a weighted avg! And so even if iran wins a friendly over oman we will reach a lower weighted avg. Its easy the entire system can be read on internet

[sarbaz]

reply

Javeed

Ok so now that we have already qualified for the WC and rankings dont play any role in our upcoming WC group darw on December 1


Then what difference would it make now if we play strong teams for friendly matches ?

[littlepersia17]

Javeed jan, do you still have the link to buy those Iranian G-strings?

Asking for a friend...

[Javeed]

Javeed
Ok so now that we have already qualified for the WC and rankings dont play any role in our upcoming WC group darw on December 1
Then what difference would it make now if we play strong teams for friendly matches ?

Now, it doesn't matter unless we become ranked 1-7 (which won't happen). I agree, it would be great to play stronger friendlies leading to Russia.

However, the only point I wanted to make was that Team Melli has consistently been on top of the AFC FIFA Rankings, and this is due to the fact that our friendlies have all been strategically planned to contribute positively to our ranking points. Being on top of the AFC, we were drawn into an easier qualifying group and therefore the easiest qualification in the history of the program.

[Javeed]

Javeed jan, do you still have the link to buy those Iranian G-strings?
Asking for a friend...

Are you asking for the girl in your avatar who you found on google images, and you could only dream of ever meeting?