TM WC final list.

[Omids]

Believe it or not, I have a life. It might seem hard for you guys to understand. But still, it doesn't mean I dont read the comments here.. Also, other people in some ways are stating the same thing I have been stating, so why would I post it again? you tell me..

Ok and what has happen now? You suddenly don't have a life anymore, like us as you imply, and have time to comment just before the WC? I suggest you go back to your busy life and leave us useless people to put comments here just like before. Thanks.

[Ando Teymourian]

Thanks for the kind words boys, edited the original post because I left out some of the main factors - the coaching staff!

Let's get it done!

[Payam_Ali]

It seems like Carlos only chose the players who he likes and admires and not on who can actually play and perform when it matters. This as you guys see it is very clear in Irans world cup team selection... I hope from this trip at least our players enjoy their time in Russia and have fun because obviously were not there to get results..

Are you suffering from depression or something? Go take a walk. Your negativity is a intolerable. It’s one thing to state an opinion. It’s another to just be negative with no analysis or critical thought. You expect everyone here to think you know more about TM than the coaches who watch them in practice every day? Get over yourself

[MR.ESTESNAII]

OK boys, we have our final list - no use in saying where is X, who is Y. These are the group of boys going to Russia and they will play their socks off for the country. I think it's a good idea to say one positive quality about each and every one of these guys, whether they get a minute of playing time or not.

Alireza Beiranvand - He's got the great rise to glory, and now he is at the pinnacle of footballing tournaments. He's made big saves for PP and TM and I am sure he is prime to go if called upon. Maybe he will make headlines with another long throw assist!

Amir Abedzadeh - Quietly worked hard and made his way onto the team - looks like he's got the confidence of his father, which is a great feature. If called upon, I doubt the pressure of the WC would even phase him.

Rashid Mazaheri - Mr. Reflexes! Quietly went about his business for the last 2 seasons and showed himself as one of the best keepers of our league. If he gets the nod, I am sure he will answer the bell.

Majid Hosseini - What a season for Eses. The kid is an absolute rock, and looks as cold as ice on the pitch. Much like Abedzadeh, I don't think the pressure of the big stage will phase him. This will be a great experience for what I believe will be a TM CB for many years to come.

Milad Mohammadi - The speed of a cheetah, this guy will be a headache (or lung ache) for anyone trying to mark him. I think we are prime to see a few of his pin point crosses into opposing teams box.

Mohammad Khanzadeh - He has the tools for success. Height, strength, and good speed for his size. An intimidating force like him is who I want to see in our box when we are defending a lead this WC!

Morteza Pouraliganji - We first saw him make an immediate impact in his TM debut during the Asia Cup ... Something tells me we will see the same impact in his first WC as well. Can jump, pass, run, shoot, tackle, what else do you want!?

Pejman Montazeri - The man himself, Mr. Cool. Put him anywhere on the field and I will feel confident. Pejman is one of the TM unsung heroes of recent years, and he will be a great pillar of leadership for the young lads this WC.

Ramin Rezaeian - Speedy, athletic, confident, and a lethal cross. Get this man the ball on the wing and get into the box to receive a prime cross. The guy doesn't get tired and I think he'll be a pest for Ronaldo for 90 mins. He might also be the next Alireza Haghighi for the ladies across the globe

Roozbeh Cheshmi - Like Khanzadeh, he has tools to be successful. He's shown he can do it in Asia, and I am confident he will raise his game for the world stage. I know I wouldn't want to be going into tackles vs an intimidating guy like him!

Ehsan Hajsafi - The maestro in the midfield, this lad has been a staple of TM for years. He has played anywhere he's been asked and never made a fuss. LW, LB, and now at CM. Our link from Defenders to Attack will be through this guy, and I am sure we will see him threading the needle. Has vision, touch, ball control, and a sick left foot. One of TM's most underrated players, but he won't be underrated after this WC.

Karim Ansarifard - Has turned into a great utility player for TM. One thing we know about him is that he is not one to give up, and if he is on the pitch this WC, he'll show Spain that they gave up on him too quick. Can make something out of nothing, Karim's big TM moments are still ahead of him.

Masoud Shojaei - Who doesn't like this guy? Initially dubbed Ali Karimi 2.0 back when he started with TM, Masoud has evolved his game from a shifty dribbler to a playmaker who can pass in a phone booth. Has stood up for TM both on and off the field, he will be our first ever player to play in 3 World Cups. Something tells me he will make an impact in a way that will mark him down as one of the best Iranian players ever.

Mehdi Torabi - This young lad has the speed and energy to tire out any defender. This will be a big World Cup for him to make a name on the international stage and garner some interest from European clubs.

Omid Ebrahimi - A calming presence in the midfied, Ebrahimi never seems to be nervous on the ball. Doesn't do anything fancy, just makes the simple, smart play every time. Who knows, we might even see him score an absolute screamer if we have a freekick just outside the 18.

Saeid Ezzatolahi - He will be missed vs Morocco, but once we wrap up 3 points in the first game, he will be a stalwart in our midfield. This kid is our next Nekounam, and maybe Athletico will be waiting to bring him back home after this WC?

Alireza Jahanbakhsh - What can you say about our perfect professional? If he scores, assists, scores from long range, scores from a corner, assists from a cross, etc.... none of it will surprise me. ARJ will show the world that he has come to play.

Ashkan Dejagah - Started as a mysterious player that we weren't sure would play for us 5 years ago... From that debut game, he's shown that he's a factor on the pitch whenever he plays. Intimidating, technical, and a workhorse... the bulldog will strike fear into opponents!

Mehdi Taremi - The kid from Bushehr is now playing in front of the whole world... Was in the Azadegan league until our Ali Daei brought him to the big show. The kid's got power, stamina, and is surprisingly technical for his size. If anyone takes him lightly, he might make a fool out of them and make a party out of the streets of Iran.

Reza Ghoochannejhad - Mr Clutch. If he finds the ball in the box, my gut (and the odds) tell me his gonna place it in the back of the net. Always at the right place at the right time... take yours eyes off him for a moment and you might be picking the ball out of the back of your net!

Saman Ghoddos - We are all thrilled he chose Team Melli, and it looks like his heart is on his sleeve for Iran. Could play the role of a secret weapon, as he hasn't had much TM minutes. Wouldn't be surprised to see him start, and orchestrate our attacks with his speed, skill and smarts.

Vahid Amiri - The humble, hard worker. Doesn't complain, doesn't draw any attention to himself... Just puts his head down and plays hard each and every game. Anyone attacking from his flank will be wondering how this guy doesn't even look tired after 90 mins.

Sardar Azmoun - Our wonder boy, our go-to striker. The guy just has a knack of showing up for big games on the national team. Well what is bigger than the WC? Doesn't need much to score, and I am going to call 3 goals in the group stage for the kid.

EDIT - I wanted to add a few of our coaching staff here as well - at least the ones I know of decently.

Markar Aghajanian - Been with CQ from the earlier days - does what every great assistant should do, especially one who is working with one of the great coaches of recent years. The players seem to be on great terms with him, and I'm sure he will use this experience for some head coaching work in the future.

Oceano Cruz - You can tell, like CQ, he really believes in this team and sees the potential in Iranian football. If I recall, he left the team for a short period of time, so it is great to see him back.

Aryan Ghassemi - Not a coach, but you gotta love this kid and the fire in his belly! IMO one of the best translators we've had in Iranian football, so a big damet garm to him! I'll never forget when we beat Korea in Ulsan in 2014 and he was right next to CQ giving the fist to Choi.

Carlos Queiroz - The man, the manager, and sometimes I feel like he's the godfather. He has built this team from scratch basically - and whether you like him or not, you cannot deny he has a passion for success and achieving his goals through different (sometimes unconventional) channels. He believes in his players, his players believe in his abilities.
If we have one X factor in this WC, it is that we have a great tactician on our side, and someone who truly understands the modern game. I can't wait to see what kind of tricks he's got up his sleeve.

#AllForTeamMelli

Great post!!!! And so true!

[Bi-honar]

Sweet mother of god, with Dejagah, Amiri, Shojaei and Cheshmi, we might as well be going to the Special Olympics!

Joking aside, the tournament is just around the corner and everyone knows we're not the favorites to advance out the of the group, so the task is to cause an upset or two and I think TM is definitely up for that task.

Cheering the boys all the way and my only wish at this point is that I can find some Iranians here to watch the games with them.

And I still have my 2nd round tickets and I'm on stand-by for a flight to Russia if and when... do do do, do do do IRAN.

[Abtin]

i am ok with the squad. we can pair pejman with poralighangi ramin righht,milad left

Ehsan empty your inbox, I cant send you messages

[littlepersia17]

^^^ that team had players in Bayern, Bochum, Hannover, Kaiserslautern, Hamburg AND Messina. Heck, we even had a young Nekounam and Shojaei who would go on and have phenomenal careers in La Liga and a Teymourian talented enough to play in the EPL. Talent wise, that group of players is the best we've ever had.
Fast forward to today. We're just happy if we have players in the Dutch, Russian, greek and Belgium league .....

I respectfully disagree. We need to look at these talented player’s situation in the season prior to WC 2006.

Ali Karimi is a wizard, but he was injured. Rahman’s team would’ve relegated if it wasn’t for Juventus match-fixing scandal. Zandi only made 5 starts as Kaiserslautern were relegated. Ando was actually still in Aboomoslem and not Fulham like you stated.

To add to all of that, a 37 year old striker was leading our team....


The squad we have right now is IMO, BY FAR the best squad we have ever had going into the World Cup. So good that a legionnaire with 16 goals for the season is excluded from the squad.

[teammelli91]

I respectfully disagree. We need to look at these talented player’s situation in the season prior to WC 2006.

Ali Karimi is a wizard, but he was injured. Rahman’s team would’ve relegated if it wasn’t for Juventus match-fixing scandal. Zandi only made 5 starts as Kaiserslautern were relegated. Ando was actually still in Aboomoslem and not Fulham like you stated.

To add to all of that, a 37 year old striker was leading our team....


The squad we have right now is IMO, BY FAR the best squad we have ever had going into the World Cup. So good that a legionnaire with 16 goals for the season is excluded from the squad.

Very well said. Was gonna say the same.

[OFFSIDE_1]

I respectfully disagree. We need to look at these talented player’s situation in the season prior to WC 2006.

Ali Karimi is a wizard, but he was injured. Rahman’s team would’ve relegated if it wasn’t for Juventus match-fixing scandal. Zandi only made 5 starts as Kaiserslautern were relegated. Ando was actually still in Aboomoslem and not Fulham like you stated.

To add to all of that, a 37 year old striker was leading our team....


The squad we have right now is IMO, BY FAR the best squad we have ever had going into the World Cup. So good that a legionnaire with 16 goals for the season is excluded from the squad.

Wouldn't we all love to have players playing for teams that are getting relegated, versus teams that have already been relegated :-) .


The 37 year old striker didn't have to lead our team. That was just bad coaching. Also a slightly injured Karimi managed to disrupt the team chemistry so badly which again goes back to our coach not having control over the team. The talent was there. We had 3 or 4 players in the Bundesliga. Whether Branko used the right lineup is a whole different story. Pull out Karimi and we still had Hashemian and Kia playing in the starting lineup against worldclass players. That's how good that team was.


Yes I grouped Ando, Nekounam and Shojaei as players that were young stars so talented that all 3 were picked up by great leagues.


This is a good squad we have now. Lots of talent and youth. Better than the 2014 team even though that team had a leader in the form of Nekounam, which this 2018 roster is lacking. But potential is only great if it's realized.
Having a team full of potential is very different than having a team that has players who have proved themselves by actually playing in top leagues.

[val]

TM WC final list.

OK boys, we have our final list - no use in saying where is X, who is Y. These are the group of boys going to Russia and they will play their socks off for the country. I think it's a good idea to say one positive quality about each and every one of these guys, whether they get a minute of playing time or not.

Alireza Beiranvand - He's got the great rise to glory, and now he is at the pinnacle of footballing tournaments. He's made big saves for PP and TM and I am sure he is prime to go if called upon. Maybe he will make headlines with another long throw assist!

Amir Abedzadeh - Quietly worked hard and made his way onto the team - looks like he's got the confidence of his father, which is a great feature. If called upon, I doubt the pressure of the WC would even phase him.

Rashid Mazaheri - Mr. Reflexes! Quietly went about his business for the last 2 seasons and showed himself as one of the best keepers of our league. If he gets the nod, I am sure he will answer the bell.

Majid Hosseini - What a season for Eses. The kid is an absolute rock, and looks as cold as ice on the pitch. Much like Abedzadeh, I don't think the pressure of the big stage will phase him. This will be a great experience for what I believe will be a TM CB for many years to come.

Milad Mohammadi - The speed of a cheetah, this guy will be a headache (or lung ache) for anyone trying to mark him. I think we are prime to see a few of his pin point crosses into opposing teams box.

Mohammad Khanzadeh - He has the tools for success. Height, strength, and good speed for his size. An intimidating force like him is who I want to see in our box when we are defending a lead this WC!

Morteza Pouraliganji - We first saw him make an immediate impact in his TM debut during the Asia Cup ... Something tells me we will see the same impact in his first WC as well. Can jump, pass, run, shoot, tackle, what else do you want!?

Pejman Montazeri - The man himself, Mr. Cool. Put him anywhere on the field and I will feel confident. Pejman is one of the TM unsung heroes of recent years, and he will be a great pillar of leadership for the young lads this WC.

Ramin Rezaeian - Speedy, athletic, confident, and a lethal cross. Get this man the ball on the wing and get into the box to receive a prime cross. The guy doesn't get tired and I think he'll be a pest for Ronaldo for 90 mins. He might also be the next Alireza Haghighi for the ladies across the globe [emoji14]

Roozbeh Cheshmi - Like Khanzadeh, he has tools to be successful. He's shown he can do it in Asia, and I am confident he will raise his game for the world stage. I know I wouldn't want to be going into tackles vs an intimidating guy like him!

Ehsan Hajsafi - The maestro in the midfield, this lad has been a staple of TM for years. He has played anywhere he's been asked and never made a fuss. LW, LB, and now at CM. Our link from Defenders to Attack will be through this guy, and I am sure we will see him threading the needle. Has vision, touch, ball control, and a sick left foot. One of TM's most underrated players, but he won't be underrated after this WC.

Karim Ansarifard - Has turned into a great utility player for TM. One thing we know about him is that he is not one to give up, and if he is on the pitch this WC, he'll show Spain that they gave up on him too quick. Can make something out of nothing, Karim's big TM moments are still ahead of him.

Masoud Shojaei - Who doesn't like this guy? Initially dubbed Ali Karimi 2.0 back when he started with TM, Masoud has evolved his game from a shifty dribbler to a playmaker who can pass in a phone booth. Has stood up for TM both on and off the field, he will be our first ever player to play in 3 World Cups. Something tells me he will make an impact in a way that will mark him down as one of the best Iranian players ever.

Mehdi Torabi - This young lad has the speed and energy to tire out any defender. This will be a big World Cup for him to make a name on the international stage and garner some interest from European clubs.

Omid Ebrahimi - A calming presence in the midfied, Ebrahimi never seems to be nervous on the ball. Doesn't do anything fancy, just makes the simple, smart play every time. Who knows, we might even see him score an absolute screamer if we have a freekick just outside the 18.

Saeid Ezzatolahi - He will be missed vs Morocco, but once we wrap up 3 points in the first game, he will be a stalwart in our midfield. This kid is our next Nekounam, and maybe Athletico will be waiting to bring him back home after this WC?

Alireza Jahanbakhsh - What can you say about our perfect professional? If he scores, assists, scores from long range, scores from a corner, assists from a cross, etc.... none of it will surprise me. ARJ will show the world that he has come to play.

Ashkan Dejagah - Started as a mysterious player that we weren't sure would play for us 5 years ago... From that debut game, he's shown that he's a factor on the pitch whenever he plays. Intimidating, technical, and a workhorse... the bulldog will strike fear into opponents!

Mehdi Taremi - The kid from Bushehr is now playing in front of the whole world... Was in the Azadegan league until our Ali Daei brought him to the big show. The kid's got power, stamina, and is surprisingly technical for his size. If anyone takes him lightly, he might make a fool out of them and make a party out of the streets of Iran.

Reza Ghoochannejhad - Mr Clutch. If he finds the ball in the box, my gut (and the odds) tell me his gonna place it in the back of the net. Always at the right place at the right time... take yours eyes off him for a moment and you might be picking the ball out of the back of your net!

Saman Ghoddos - We are all thrilled he chose Team Melli, and it looks like his heart is on his sleeve for Iran. Could play the role of a secret weapon, as he hasn't had much TM minutes. Wouldn't be surprised to see him start, and orchestrate our attacks with his speed, skill and smarts.

Vahid Amiri - The humble, hard worker. Doesn't complain, doesn't draw any attention to himself... Just puts his head down and plays hard each and every game. Anyone attacking from his flank will be wondering how this guy doesn't even look tired after 90 mins.

Sardar Azmoun - Our wonder boy, our go-to striker. The guy just has a knack of showing up for big games on the national team. Well what is bigger than the WC? Doesn't need much to score, and I am going to call 3 goals in the group stage for the kid.

EDIT - I wanted to add a few of our coaching staff here as well - at least the ones I know of decently.

Markar Aghajanian - Been with CQ from the earlier days - does what every great assistant should do, especially one who is working with one of the great coaches of recent years. The players seem to be on great terms with him, and I'm sure he will use this experience for some head coaching work in the future.

Oceano Cruz - You can tell, like CQ, he really believes in this team and sees the potential in Iranian football. If I recall, he left the team for a short period of time, so it is great to see him back.

Aryan Ghassemi - Not a coach, but you gotta love this kid and the fire in his belly! IMO one of the best translators we've had in Iranian football, so a big damet garm to him! I'll never forget when we beat Korea in Ulsan in 2014 and he was right next to CQ giving the fist to Choi.

Carlos Queiroz - The man, the manager, and sometimes I feel like he's the godfather. He has built this team from scratch basically - and whether you like him or not, you cannot deny he has a passion for success and achieving his goals through different (sometimes unconventional) channels. He believes in his players, his players believe in his abilities.
If we have one X factor in this WC, it is that we have a great tactician on our side, and someone who truly understands the modern game. I can't wait to see what kind of tricks he's got up his sleeve.

#AllForTeamMelli

Everyone stop commenting, we have the winner here [emoji115]

This is what I call an absolute positive comment with full support of the team, which actually warms the heart with excitement

Well done ando, well done!

[the matrix1]

which team did you coach ?

I have coached school teams nothing professional but I know how to analyze properly...

[the matrix1]

Ok and what has happen now? You suddenly don't have a life anymore, like us as you imply, and have time to comment just before the WC? I suggest you go back to your busy life and leave us useless people to put comments here just like before. Thanks.

I didn't say that.. I just said I am really busy, and learn to read between the lines.. Why do I have to explain everything?

[the matrix1]

Are you suffering from depression or something? Go take a walk. Your negativity is a intolerable. It’s one thing to state an opinion. It’s another to just be negative with no analysis or critical thought. You expect everyone here to think you know more about TM than the coaches who watch them in practice every day? Get over yourself

I am not suffering from depression and only stating what I think of the selection... and again some people don't read properly.. I never said I know better than some people here. I only said I know better than alot of you here..

[the matrix1]

Iranians are the most sensitive people on this planet... You can never have a friendly conversation with my fellow countrymen without there being some issue arising from it.. You people need to learn to accept other peoples opinion even if it is very different from your own!

[Payam_Ali]

I never said I know better than some people here. I only said I know better than alot of you here..

What? lol. These two statements directly contradict each other. I also never said you know better than people here. I said you claim CQ is wrong which suggests you think you know better than the coach. With statement's like this:

Also I want to add, just because your coach is world class coach doesnt mean he is thinking right...

You people need to learn to accept other peoples opinion even if it is very different from your own!

The problem is not that your opinion differs. This is a forum and the whole point is to discuss differing opinions. If you think our defense is going to be a problem, tell us why. You think Jalal Hosseni is better than Majid Hosseini? Okay why? You think CQ made mistakes? Okay what mistakes? You think this is one of the worst Iran teams you have ever seen. Why?

This is undeniably one of the worst Iran World Cup teams I have ever seen.

You make statements with ZERO explanation or thought because "you don't have time" to explain. Instead just negative statements and basically saying "wait and see. I'm going to be right." For example:

Most of you are in dreamland and you will see what I mean in the World Cup when reality hits you like a bus crashing to a wall..

And then when people get fed up with your negativity, you say "people don't read properly" and we are "sensitive." If anything, you're not writing your "opinion" properly.