You might remember a while ago I came here asking for feedback on a rough Iran preview article I was asked to write.
Well the magazine is out now. There are a few things I don't agree with in the finished article that was put in the magazine (there was one other writer and time constraints it seems), but overall it looks good.
So what I'll do is post my full in-depth article, then I can also show you the finished article and the changes for comparison (and explain the issues before you go crazy haha) as well as a link to the magazine.
Here's my unedited article:
=============================
The Manager
Iran pulled out all the stops to get the right man in 2011. 7 years later, Mozambique-born Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz is Team Melli's longest serving manager since their very first in the 1940s.
He began his coaching career in Portugal, winning 2 FIFA World Youth Championships in a row with the Portugal Under-20s, and then was a late Dino Baggio goal away from taking the senior side to only their third ever World Cup at USA '94.
After achieving Sporting CP's first cup and best league finish in at least a decade, he travelled the globe managing in America, Japan, United Arab Emirates and successfully qualifying for the 2002 World Cup with South Africa.
He joined Manchester United as assistant and was groomed by Sir Alex Ferguson as his successor, but his stock fell after a poor season at Real Madrid and later an unpopular second spell with Portugal (despite reaching the 2nd round of the 2010 World Cup, losing to eventual champions Spain).
Things looked equally bad for Iran in the final qualifying stage of his first campaign, after a few poor results and Iran needing to win all of their final 3 games, including away to rivals Republic of Korea. But they did exactly that, notably with 3 clean sheets, and have never looked back. They went to the World Cup and were a stoppage-time Messi free-kick away from a historic result against Argentina.
Carlos has become hugely popular and respected by the public. However his contract expires at the World Cup and he has a rocky relationship with his employers, which has seen him 'resign' several times and reportedly apply for the currently vacant Cameroon job. Still, the fans have everything crossed that he stays.
Fixtures
Morocco 15/06
A must-win game right from the start in Saint Petersburg, missing a key player against a team who have a poor record away from home.
Prediction: Iran 1 - 1 Morocco
Spain 20/06
Iran will look to stifle Spain's creativity in their second game in Kazan.
Prediction: Iran 0 - 1 Spain
Portugal 25/06
Hopefully no late free-kicks for the star frontman this time, as Iran face the European champions last in Saransk.
Prediction: Iran 0 - 1 Portugal
Did You Know?
Iran have never exited a World Cup without a point.
Before drawing 0-0 with Nigeria in 2014, Iran had never kept a clean sheet at a World Cup.
Best Bet of 2018
*(I don't know about betting so I just suggested something involving low amounts of goals scored or conceded, or for Iran to finish 3rd as our potential losses to Spain and Portugal could be lower than Morocco's and we can at least draw with Morocco, meaning 3rd on goal difference)
Iran
After the low of failing to qualify for the 2010 World Cup, Iran have qualified for 2 in a row for the first time, impressively strolling through 18 games of qualifying unbeaten. But it is Team Melli's defensive record which is incredible: in the final group stage, they qualified without conceding, keeping 9 clean sheets in a row until the final game.
Iran have never got out of the group stage at a World Cup, but a squad of new and exciting attacking talent coupled with the performance against huge favourites Argentina in 2014 sees Iran cautiously optimistic, despite a tough group draw.
Squad and Tactics
Carlos Queiroz will be concentrating more than ever on a defensive discipline and a frightening counter-attacking threat that saw them minutes away from a point (and possibly a penalty call from 3 points) against Argentina 4 years ago.
Although they scored 26 goals in 8 games in the second round of qualifying, their 10 goals in 10 matches in the final round is more an indication of what to expect.
Though confident in building attacks with quick one or two-touch short and long passing, Iran at a World Cup will be well drilled in defence, keeping men organised behind the ball and giving the opposition no space, breaking with frightening speed when their opponents commit too far forward.
Queiroz's Iran plays a dynamic 4-3-3 that shifts and changes to versions of 4-1-4-1, 4-2-3-1 and even 4-4-2, twisting opponents apart but providing defensive solidity. Every player, including the subs, have a specific role to play.
The squad is a mix of Iran-based, European-based and Qatari-based talent. 11 of the 23 in 2014's squad were aged 30 or over, so 2018 sees many new, younger faces mixed with the veterans.
Queiroz has been ruthless and surprising picking his final squad, entirely omitting several former regulars in favour of newer players who can play different roles. Nobody predicted this squad. Combined with the changing tactical adaptability for each match, it makes predicting an XI impossible.
Former #1 keeper Alireza Haghighi is completely omitted, meaning Iran have no experience in backup. Alireza Beiranvand will be relied on to keep clean sheets but also provide the sudden counter-attacking threat, with long throws straight into the opposing half that can provide assists.
Another surprise omission is Jalal Hosseini, who played most of Iran's qualifiers and several friendlies, but the 36-year-old centre-back was dropped to the standby list possibly with pace and stamina in mind. But only Queiroz knows which Iran-based defender will partner regular Morteza Pouraliganji in that key area.
Milad Mohammadi will likely play left-back, but right-back is also blown open after a surprise omission. One option is Ramin Rezaeian, which will mean Iran have two speedy full backs to help the defence (or race down the flanks if necessary).
The key man in the middle of the pitch is Saeid Ezatolahi. The central midfielder does everything. He's key to breaking up the attack before launching a counter-attack himself with a range of passes. He played in all first 9 final round qualifiers. All this and he's only 21.
However Ezatolahi's suspension for the Morocco game means Queiroz is scrambling to find the right defensive-minded player to fill in. Olympiakos' Ehsan Hajsafi, who is closing in on 100 appearances, would likely be playing alongside him anyway, while Omid Ebrahimi is 30 with only 28 appearances but is being heavily tested out in friendlies.
But it is attack where Iran have a wealth of talent. They all bring something different and are all capable of goals.
Attacking midfielder Masoud Shojaei is the outspoken and progressive leader of the side. He, along with Hajsafi, were supposedly 'banned' by Iran after being "forced" to play against an Israeli club, but Queiroz ignored this and picked both. 2 years after naming Iran's first ever Christian captain, he made veteran Shojaei captain last year, despite another previous ban for political reasons.
Ashkan Dejagah also captains the side, if fit. The German-Iranian's counter attacks against Argentina 4 years ago threatened an upset, not least after going down in the area by a desperate Argentinian tackle. He's still an Iran regular and is integral to keeping the team together, but has only played 14 minutes this season and underwent surgery in February.
Right winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh is the first Asian player to become top goalscorer in a major European league after scoring 21 (and assisting 12) for AZ Alkmaar in the Eredivisie this season, while on the left current and previous Iranian Footballer of the Year Mehdi Taremi scored 3 goals in 3 games in a row in the final round of qualifying to confirm their World Cup place. Taremi in particular can confuse defences by appearing in the middle.
Further attacking choices include newbie Saman Ghoddos and versatile but less glamourous Queiroz favourite Vahid Amiri, who played every single qualifier. If he's not starting, he seems guaranteed to come on as a sub.
The central striker will surely be new sensation Sardar Azmoun. In just 31 games, he has scored 23 goals, leading to the inevitable 'Iranian Messi' and 'new Daei' comparisons, although his club form in Russia has yet to reflect his stardom.
If Queiroz wants another option up front, striker Karim Ansarifard has scored 17 league goals in just 25 matches for Olympiakos in Greece, while Reza 'Gucci' Ghoochannejhad, another European youth international plucked from the diaspora by Queiroz, scored Iran's only goal in the 2014 World Cup, but finds himself down the pecking order and at risk of being the last surprise exclusion from the final 23.
Unheralded Player
Though Ezatolahi is integral to the team doing the dirty work, Saman Ghoddos is the rising exciting prospect who could really announce himself to the world. Playing for Östersund, he was integral to their debut Europa League season, providing goals and assists in wins over Galatasaray, PAOK and in the group stage. He then assisted both goals in the 2-1 win over Arsenal.
He originally played for Sweden, but Queiroz made the offer and, after not receiving a call-up to Sweden's next squad, the 2017 Allsvenskan Forward of the Year chose Iran. Fans will hope he starts, but the stage is set for him to come on and shock more giants.
Chances of Progression
Iran will take it one game at a time and see where they end up. Progression to the knockouts is an unthinkable dream scenario. This is not a nation that is planning their second round opponents.
Team Melli are underdogs in every match, but will be quietly confident going into each one after Argentina in 2014.
A win against Morocco or a shock point (or 3) against Spain and Portugal will be something to be proud of. Seeing their bright attacking talents combine with some goals and style would be nice too.
If Iran lived the dream and reached the knockouts, they would face one of stylish outside favourites Uruguay, Mo Salah's Egypt, hosts Russia or fellow Asians Saudi Arabia. And after an unbeaten qualifying campaign in Asia and getting out of a group including stylish outside favourites Spain and Ronaldo's Portugal, why should any of them pose a threat? Onward to the quarter-finals!
=============================
There was another writer involved and only 2 pages to fit it all in, so here is the finished article, which has some changes, some are fine, a couple I'm disappointed in but oh well:
https://i.imgur.com/b1If8xJ.png
https://i.imgur.com/1r5PdoZ.png
A few things to point out:
- In my article I wrote CQ was the second-longest serving manager, not the longest ever. CQ has 7 years, but Hossein Sadaghiani (Iran's first ever manager) was in charge for 9 or 10 years (1941-1950/1951) according to information I Googled.
- The bet section suggests the odds-on favourite of Iran finishing bottom. Most likely? I suppose. But they can equally finish 3rd, which is 15/8.
- I don't understand the Ruislip reference, someone help me.
- Tactics are all down to interpretation. Many see it as 4-2-3-1, Carlos and coaching standard says it's 4-3-3. In the end it's just numbers and players float about. There are 4 defenders, 1 or 2 defensive-minded midfielders with a more attacking-minded one floating about, plus a central striker and 2 wingers who really can pop up anywhere in the attacking half.
- It's disappointing to see the attack completely omitted in the squad section as this is Iran's most interesting and unknown attribute. People will think Iran just have maybe one rubbish striker, but their attack is formed by a fluid 'golden generation' that are blitzing decent leagues, one of their two best attacks in their HISTORY (Daei/Bagheri/Karimi/Mahdavikia being the other).
- Ghoddos having that awesome Europa League run with Ostersunds is a great story, and it's all set up for him to burst on the scene this summer, so him being omitted entirely from the article is my big disappointment.
- I wouldn't have worded the 'chances of progression' that way. No need to mention Trump (it's not like he doesn't get mentioned enough everywhere else) or the South Korea qualifying kerfuffle when talking about a team's chances of progression. I'd rather stick to the facts and provide some insight.
- The unheralded player could've been anyone in attack really. I liked Ghoddos' story so much though. Unfortunatly with the suspension and the way fixtures are arranged, Ezatolahi might not get the fanfare he should as our Carrick.
Still, good overall and you learn something from these articles and there's a whole magazine of them, and it's for charity. See here for another preview and where to donate to get a copy:
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/savethepunter
Well the magazine is out now. There are a few things I don't agree with in the finished article that was put in the magazine (there was one other writer and time constraints it seems), but overall it looks good.
So what I'll do is post my full in-depth article, then I can also show you the finished article and the changes for comparison (and explain the issues before you go crazy haha) as well as a link to the magazine.
Here's my unedited article:
=============================
The Manager
Iran pulled out all the stops to get the right man in 2011. 7 years later, Mozambique-born Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz is Team Melli's longest serving manager since their very first in the 1940s.
He began his coaching career in Portugal, winning 2 FIFA World Youth Championships in a row with the Portugal Under-20s, and then was a late Dino Baggio goal away from taking the senior side to only their third ever World Cup at USA '94.
After achieving Sporting CP's first cup and best league finish in at least a decade, he travelled the globe managing in America, Japan, United Arab Emirates and successfully qualifying for the 2002 World Cup with South Africa.
He joined Manchester United as assistant and was groomed by Sir Alex Ferguson as his successor, but his stock fell after a poor season at Real Madrid and later an unpopular second spell with Portugal (despite reaching the 2nd round of the 2010 World Cup, losing to eventual champions Spain).
Things looked equally bad for Iran in the final qualifying stage of his first campaign, after a few poor results and Iran needing to win all of their final 3 games, including away to rivals Republic of Korea. But they did exactly that, notably with 3 clean sheets, and have never looked back. They went to the World Cup and were a stoppage-time Messi free-kick away from a historic result against Argentina.
Carlos has become hugely popular and respected by the public. However his contract expires at the World Cup and he has a rocky relationship with his employers, which has seen him 'resign' several times and reportedly apply for the currently vacant Cameroon job. Still, the fans have everything crossed that he stays.
Fixtures
Morocco 15/06
A must-win game right from the start in Saint Petersburg, missing a key player against a team who have a poor record away from home.
Prediction: Iran 1 - 1 Morocco
Spain 20/06
Iran will look to stifle Spain's creativity in their second game in Kazan.
Prediction: Iran 0 - 1 Spain
Portugal 25/06
Hopefully no late free-kicks for the star frontman this time, as Iran face the European champions last in Saransk.
Prediction: Iran 0 - 1 Portugal
Did You Know?
Iran have never exited a World Cup without a point.
Before drawing 0-0 with Nigeria in 2014, Iran had never kept a clean sheet at a World Cup.
Best Bet of 2018
*(I don't know about betting so I just suggested something involving low amounts of goals scored or conceded, or for Iran to finish 3rd as our potential losses to Spain and Portugal could be lower than Morocco's and we can at least draw with Morocco, meaning 3rd on goal difference)
Iran
After the low of failing to qualify for the 2010 World Cup, Iran have qualified for 2 in a row for the first time, impressively strolling through 18 games of qualifying unbeaten. But it is Team Melli's defensive record which is incredible: in the final group stage, they qualified without conceding, keeping 9 clean sheets in a row until the final game.
Iran have never got out of the group stage at a World Cup, but a squad of new and exciting attacking talent coupled with the performance against huge favourites Argentina in 2014 sees Iran cautiously optimistic, despite a tough group draw.
Squad and Tactics
Carlos Queiroz will be concentrating more than ever on a defensive discipline and a frightening counter-attacking threat that saw them minutes away from a point (and possibly a penalty call from 3 points) against Argentina 4 years ago.
Although they scored 26 goals in 8 games in the second round of qualifying, their 10 goals in 10 matches in the final round is more an indication of what to expect.
Though confident in building attacks with quick one or two-touch short and long passing, Iran at a World Cup will be well drilled in defence, keeping men organised behind the ball and giving the opposition no space, breaking with frightening speed when their opponents commit too far forward.
Queiroz's Iran plays a dynamic 4-3-3 that shifts and changes to versions of 4-1-4-1, 4-2-3-1 and even 4-4-2, twisting opponents apart but providing defensive solidity. Every player, including the subs, have a specific role to play.
The squad is a mix of Iran-based, European-based and Qatari-based talent. 11 of the 23 in 2014's squad were aged 30 or over, so 2018 sees many new, younger faces mixed with the veterans.
Queiroz has been ruthless and surprising picking his final squad, entirely omitting several former regulars in favour of newer players who can play different roles. Nobody predicted this squad. Combined with the changing tactical adaptability for each match, it makes predicting an XI impossible.
Former #1 keeper Alireza Haghighi is completely omitted, meaning Iran have no experience in backup. Alireza Beiranvand will be relied on to keep clean sheets but also provide the sudden counter-attacking threat, with long throws straight into the opposing half that can provide assists.
Another surprise omission is Jalal Hosseini, who played most of Iran's qualifiers and several friendlies, but the 36-year-old centre-back was dropped to the standby list possibly with pace and stamina in mind. But only Queiroz knows which Iran-based defender will partner regular Morteza Pouraliganji in that key area.
Milad Mohammadi will likely play left-back, but right-back is also blown open after a surprise omission. One option is Ramin Rezaeian, which will mean Iran have two speedy full backs to help the defence (or race down the flanks if necessary).
The key man in the middle of the pitch is Saeid Ezatolahi. The central midfielder does everything. He's key to breaking up the attack before launching a counter-attack himself with a range of passes. He played in all first 9 final round qualifiers. All this and he's only 21.
However Ezatolahi's suspension for the Morocco game means Queiroz is scrambling to find the right defensive-minded player to fill in. Olympiakos' Ehsan Hajsafi, who is closing in on 100 appearances, would likely be playing alongside him anyway, while Omid Ebrahimi is 30 with only 28 appearances but is being heavily tested out in friendlies.
But it is attack where Iran have a wealth of talent. They all bring something different and are all capable of goals.
Attacking midfielder Masoud Shojaei is the outspoken and progressive leader of the side. He, along with Hajsafi, were supposedly 'banned' by Iran after being "forced" to play against an Israeli club, but Queiroz ignored this and picked both. 2 years after naming Iran's first ever Christian captain, he made veteran Shojaei captain last year, despite another previous ban for political reasons.
Ashkan Dejagah also captains the side, if fit. The German-Iranian's counter attacks against Argentina 4 years ago threatened an upset, not least after going down in the area by a desperate Argentinian tackle. He's still an Iran regular and is integral to keeping the team together, but has only played 14 minutes this season and underwent surgery in February.
Right winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh is the first Asian player to become top goalscorer in a major European league after scoring 21 (and assisting 12) for AZ Alkmaar in the Eredivisie this season, while on the left current and previous Iranian Footballer of the Year Mehdi Taremi scored 3 goals in 3 games in a row in the final round of qualifying to confirm their World Cup place. Taremi in particular can confuse defences by appearing in the middle.
Further attacking choices include newbie Saman Ghoddos and versatile but less glamourous Queiroz favourite Vahid Amiri, who played every single qualifier. If he's not starting, he seems guaranteed to come on as a sub.
The central striker will surely be new sensation Sardar Azmoun. In just 31 games, he has scored 23 goals, leading to the inevitable 'Iranian Messi' and 'new Daei' comparisons, although his club form in Russia has yet to reflect his stardom.
If Queiroz wants another option up front, striker Karim Ansarifard has scored 17 league goals in just 25 matches for Olympiakos in Greece, while Reza 'Gucci' Ghoochannejhad, another European youth international plucked from the diaspora by Queiroz, scored Iran's only goal in the 2014 World Cup, but finds himself down the pecking order and at risk of being the last surprise exclusion from the final 23.
Unheralded Player
Though Ezatolahi is integral to the team doing the dirty work, Saman Ghoddos is the rising exciting prospect who could really announce himself to the world. Playing for Östersund, he was integral to their debut Europa League season, providing goals and assists in wins over Galatasaray, PAOK and in the group stage. He then assisted both goals in the 2-1 win over Arsenal.
He originally played for Sweden, but Queiroz made the offer and, after not receiving a call-up to Sweden's next squad, the 2017 Allsvenskan Forward of the Year chose Iran. Fans will hope he starts, but the stage is set for him to come on and shock more giants.
Chances of Progression
Iran will take it one game at a time and see where they end up. Progression to the knockouts is an unthinkable dream scenario. This is not a nation that is planning their second round opponents.
Team Melli are underdogs in every match, but will be quietly confident going into each one after Argentina in 2014.
A win against Morocco or a shock point (or 3) against Spain and Portugal will be something to be proud of. Seeing their bright attacking talents combine with some goals and style would be nice too.
If Iran lived the dream and reached the knockouts, they would face one of stylish outside favourites Uruguay, Mo Salah's Egypt, hosts Russia or fellow Asians Saudi Arabia. And after an unbeaten qualifying campaign in Asia and getting out of a group including stylish outside favourites Spain and Ronaldo's Portugal, why should any of them pose a threat? Onward to the quarter-finals!
=============================
There was another writer involved and only 2 pages to fit it all in, so here is the finished article, which has some changes, some are fine, a couple I'm disappointed in but oh well:
https://i.imgur.com/b1If8xJ.png
https://i.imgur.com/1r5PdoZ.png
A few things to point out:
- In my article I wrote CQ was the second-longest serving manager, not the longest ever. CQ has 7 years, but Hossein Sadaghiani (Iran's first ever manager) was in charge for 9 or 10 years (1941-1950/1951) according to information I Googled.
- The bet section suggests the odds-on favourite of Iran finishing bottom. Most likely? I suppose. But they can equally finish 3rd, which is 15/8.
- I don't understand the Ruislip reference, someone help me.
- Tactics are all down to interpretation. Many see it as 4-2-3-1, Carlos and coaching standard says it's 4-3-3. In the end it's just numbers and players float about. There are 4 defenders, 1 or 2 defensive-minded midfielders with a more attacking-minded one floating about, plus a central striker and 2 wingers who really can pop up anywhere in the attacking half.
- It's disappointing to see the attack completely omitted in the squad section as this is Iran's most interesting and unknown attribute. People will think Iran just have maybe one rubbish striker, but their attack is formed by a fluid 'golden generation' that are blitzing decent leagues, one of their two best attacks in their HISTORY (Daei/Bagheri/Karimi/Mahdavikia being the other).
- Ghoddos having that awesome Europa League run with Ostersunds is a great story, and it's all set up for him to burst on the scene this summer, so him being omitted entirely from the article is my big disappointment.
- I wouldn't have worded the 'chances of progression' that way. No need to mention Trump (it's not like he doesn't get mentioned enough everywhere else) or the South Korea qualifying kerfuffle when talking about a team's chances of progression. I'd rather stick to the facts and provide some insight.
- The unheralded player could've been anyone in attack really. I liked Ghoddos' story so much though. Unfortunatly with the suspension and the way fixtures are arranged, Ezatolahi might not get the fanfare he should as our Carrick.
Still, good overall and you learn something from these articles and there's a whole magazine of them, and it's for charity. See here for another preview and where to donate to get a copy:
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/savethepunter
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