Opposing Fans Reaction to Getting Iran as Their Opponent

[Real Madrid Fan]

I have read the analysis from some of the major news outlets and all of them dont even mention Iran when it comes to group B.

[maly3648]

Look guys, this problem is mainly due to the lack of coverage of Asian football in general. While African nation CUP is broadcasted broadly in Europe, it isn't the case for Asian Cup. In that regard, all these journalists haven't any knowledge of Asian teams in general. This is therefore due to their lack of knowledge. Iran is definitely stronger than Morroco and i am talking from a very neutral perspective, although it will be a tough match. With good focus, good preparation, our boys running and not being lazy or too much "relaxed" (in the oriental interpretation of this word), we can go out of this group. Our chances are roughly 20/25% according to me ...

[Ali Doust]

The more they underestimate us the better we will be. Im loving it. This is going to be the WC that puts Iran finally on the map.

[KC McElroy]

Look guys, this problem is mainly due to the lack of coverage of Asian football in general. While African nation CUP is broadcasted broadly in Europe, it isn't the case for Asian Cup. In that regard, all these journalists haven't any knowledge of Asian teams in general. This is therefore due to their lack of knowledge. Iran is definitely stronger than Morroco and i am talking from a very neutral perspective, although it will be a tough match. With good focus, good preparation, our boys running and not being lazy or too much "relaxed" (in the oriental interpretation of this word), we can go out of this group. Our chances are roughly 20/25% according to me ...

Unless you have seen Morocco play, aren't you doing the same thing that you claim Europeans are doing with us?

[Adesor Vafaseya]

I've visited bigsoccer too and there is a cocky Morocco fan who thinks they are better than Iran just because they have more players in the top leagues.

I also think so myself.
On paper we are the weakest team in the group.
But we have been in the last WC and all previous WC we entered also the weakest team.
If we prove ourselves and make it out of the group and have more players play in Europe we will be categorized stronger in the future. For now, yes Morocco is stronger than Iran, since they have players playing in top leagues in Europe and as a national team play on a much more stronger football continent (Africa) than Iran.

[Iranianarsenal11]

I also think so myself.
On paper we are the weakest team in the group.
But we have been in the last WC and all previous WC we entered also the weakest team.
If we prove ourselves and make it out of the group and have more players play in Europe we will be categorized stronger in the future. For now, yes Morocco is stronger than Iran, since they have players playing in top leagues in Europe and as a national team play on a much more stronger football continent (Africa) than Iran.

On paper we are worse than Morocco, but certainly not the worst team in the World Cup (on paper)... I'd give that award to Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, or South Korea

[Afat11]

The difference between me as an Iranian fan and fans of other teams is that I have used this invention called Youtube after the draw to watch Morocco full matches from 2017. It seems that they are just looking at wikipedia and saying, "Ostersund, Rubin Kazan, Iran stinks!"

I watched Morocco, they are NO better than Iran. They are good, but so are we. All of them should watch how cohesive and compact Iran plays, and maybe they will get a bit more scared. Ignorance is bliss I guess. I know what Iran is getting into in June 2018. They will be sitting there cursing about why mighty Mehdi Benatia and Hakim Ziyech are struggling against a stifling defense. If they really believe that they can break down what Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Di Maria, and Higuain could not for 90+ minutes, I will enjoy their tears in six months. Especially those thinking 3-0 or 4-0 for Morocco are smoking too much drugs and are on another planet.

If we get a red card early in the game, I still don't think Morocco would score more than 2. We are a tight defensive unit, and this will be a 1 or 2 goal game, max. A score higher than 2-0 for either team is a major improbability if looking at it objectively. I could see us tie 0-0 or 1-1, lose 1-0, 2-0, or 2-1, and finally win by those same scorelines.

Neither team is scoring 3 goals against the other's defense. Only if there is some wild occurrence like an early red card could I see 3 or 4 goals. Without that, this will be a tight game, and their fans saying a high scoreline are the same people who think England will win every match and world cup because they only watch premier league. AKA people in for a rude awakening and a heart attack of a game where they question everything that they believe about football.

[EKBATAN]

I have read the analysis from some of the major news outlets and all of them dont even mention Iran when it comes to group B.

ya unfortunately with this draw, you can forget about much analysis comments on Iran. everyone is focused on Portugal-Spain and Morocco is another exotic destination near those countries, so Iran looks like APOEL or Maribor in champions league to them

it sucks for us who want to see a real analysis, but we just have to wait until we actually perform. I just want to see goals, i dont want us to go there and not have any moments of celebration like last time

[teammelli91]

ya unfortunately with this draw, you can forget about much analysis comments on Iran. everyone is focused on Portugal-Spain and Morocco is another exotic destination near those countries, so Iran looks like APOEL or Maribor in champions league to them

it sucks for us who want to see a real analysis, but we just have to wait until we actually perform. I just want to see goals, i dont want us to go there and not have any moments of celebration like last time

And that.. my friend.. is why this World Cup will be a lot of fun. Underestimating us will only light more flames under our team's ass.

If someone were to ask me: Would you rather have Iran lose 3 matches OR Iran not to get out of the group. BUT! Eliminate one of the top teams?

I'd say eliminate the **** out of one of the top teams But the thing is, I don't give a shit about those two options. I believe in something much much higher. And I know I'll be shunned and laughed at, but I will never, EVER, lose hope in Team Melli. Especially THIS Team Melli. Probably the best squad we're taking to the World Cup since Germany 2006.

Iran will not be a walk in the park for Spain, Portugal, or Morocco. Before our boys leave Russia this summer, Iranian blood, sweat and tears will be shed. Tears of joy and/or sorrow. Team Melli will fight for our Iran and show the World why we are in fact the best team in Asia.

So let them underestimate us, put us down and say whatever the hell they want. That just makes it that much more exciting to watch. Carlos Queiroz and Iran will make history this World Cup

[nisfejahan]

The analysis by the "experts' do not mean shit. It is part of today's lazy journalism. They try to express opinions doing minimum amount of research.

Morocco is not a weak team, but it is, on or off the paper, no stronger than Iran. In their qualification group they had 3 wins and three ties, in a group that was not stronger than Iran's qualification group.

Yes, they have more players in Europe, but that is mainly because they are closer, but more importantly, their domestic league's salaries are shit. If IPL was not paying these ridiculous salaries, more Iranian players would be tempted to leave. Right now the choice is between getting paid well or playing a a better league. As a professional, they are choosing the money. I do not blame them for it. If IPL was a truly self-sustained professional league, and the teams were not government run or subsidized, then the salaries would come down.

I also remember that in 1998 all the "expert analysts" thought that Iran will be a complete non-factor. All the US players in their interviews said the same thing and were thinking US would beat Iran by at least 3 goals. Then reality smacked them on the head!!

[RaginG Inferno]

The analysis by the "experts' do not mean shit. It is part of today's lazy journalism. They try to express opinions doing minimum amount of research.
Morocco is not a weak team, but it is, on or off the paper, no stronger than Iran. In their qualification group they had 3 wins and three ties, in a group that was not stronger than Iran's qualification group.
Yes, they have more players in Europe, but that is mainly because they are closer, but more importantly, their domestic league's salaries are shit. If IPL was not paying these ridiculous salaries, more Iranian players would be tempted to leave. Right now the choice is between getting paid well or playing a a better league. As a professional, they are choosing the money. I do not blame them for it. If IPL was a truly self-sustained professional league, and the teams were not government run or subsidized, then the salaries would come down.
I also remember that in 1998 all the "expert analysts" thought that Iran will be a complete non-factor. All the US players in their interviews said the same thing and were thinking US would beat Iran by at least 3 goals. Then reality smacked them on the head!!

Indeed.

Milad Mohammadi, for example, plays for an ordinary Russian team, but he's, in my opinion, one of the best players in the world for his position.

Dejagah doesn't even have a club, but (at least until he gets tired) he's world class.

A simple comparison of our players' clubs to Morocco's is misleading.

In any case, a team is not simply the aggregate quality of players it has. It's how that team has been assembled; how the players complement each other, how tactically sound the team is, etc.

I'm not scared of this group. Argentina in 2014 was the second best team in the world, and we almost beat them. Our team is much stronger now. Spain and Portugal are the favourites against us, but we are not weak.

[kastro]

I do not like the Moroccan national team for obvious reasons, but do not underestimate them. They didn't concede a single goal in a tough qualifying group. They have a very good
manager as well.

Congrats on your qualification.

[Bessos]

I do not like the Moroccan national team for obvious reasons, but do not underestimate them. They didn't concede a single goal in a tough qualifying group. They have a very good
manager as well.

Congrats on your qualification.

Welcome.

I hope we get to face each other in the round of 16.

[Shayan_M]

I have seen Morocco play and yes, they are a very strong side with lots of good players. Before every f*ckin WC I keep reading the same old BS that we are much stronger than this and that team and that we will advance for sure!! We should be happy if we don't end up with 3 losses in a row, eventhough I hope that we can pull a surprise like we almost did against Argentina. This iranian arrogance is getting on my nerves over and over again. And when TM fucks up, people come here and start an online fist fight or make up stupid conspiracy theories.

[teammelli91]

I do not like the Moroccan national team for obvious reasons, but do not underestimate them. They didn't concede a single goal in a tough qualifying group. They have a very good
manager as well.

Congrats on your qualification.

Welcome to PFDC brother!

I just want to say that I am %100 behind Egypt in group A and especially vs Saudi Arabia. I hope Salah scores a hattrick on KSA

Anyways, I hope you enjoy your stay here. It's always nice to have new members who support different teams