Iran's record

[Irandoust]

Beating Morocco would be fantastic which will only give this Iran team the boost that they need to go after achieving better results. But yes, the game against Morocco as most of the PFDC members are aware, is the key game which will determine our faith in this up coming world cup.

[Irandoust]

Sarbaz jan, as far being a true and a united team, this Iran side is the best team that we have ever had. And the biggest credit of this positive fact is Carlos Queiroz and the former IFF chairman Ali Kafashian for hiring Mr Queiroz.
During his 27 years reign in Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson's slogan on achieving success with the club was that NO PLAYER IS BIGGER THAN MANCHESTER UNITED. And Mr Queiroz learned that fact by being Mr Ferguson's assistance twice like a good student and has implemented in this young but very enthusiastic Iranian team very well. At the moment, this team is as united and ready to fight like a group of SARBAZ like your name is, and achieve success for their father and mother land of Iran. There is no doubt or question about that.
However, achieving success in world cup which is the biggest, the most difficult and at the same time the most exciting tournament that exists, requires more than having a good team and a spirit, specially with the fact that we are in the group B of the competition. You see, the rest of the football fans around the world don't want to see Spain with its beautiful attacking and fluid football and Portugal with Ronaldo which this world cup will be his last one, to get eliminated in the group stages. So, if this miracle happens and our beloved team replaces one of these two favorable teams in the knock stage, it will be so big and amazing that it will be compared with the results that North Korea achieved in 1966, Cameroon in 1990, Turkey in 2002, and Costa Rica in 2014.
But the big question for us the Iranian people and the Iranian football fans around the world is; Do we deserve to achieve this miraculous success in first place? Why should this world cup be any different from any previous ones that we have been in. Do we have what it takes to handle this success if it happens?

[Roozbeh-G2006]

Good thread.
There are many reasons why we have not done so well despite actually being physically and even technically, if not a good match, at least not far behind the Europeans. Many of these main reasons have nothing to do with football at all. Rather to do with our culture and attitudes to everything which politics also stems from it. I believe we will never break through in football as long as that cultural and attitude barrier remains. I don't want to be specific about these in a public forum that actually is in a language that everyone else bar 99% of Iranians can understand. So let's just leave it at that.

[Roozbeh-G2006]

But the big question for us the Iranian people and the Iranian football fans around the world is; Do we deserve to achieve this miraculous success in first place? Why should this world cup be any different from any previous ones that we have been in. Do we have what it takes to handle this success if it happens?

You deserve what you achieve. If we go through by eliminating either spain or portugal then I would say we 100% deserve it. and then deserve to reach the quarter final and even deserve to be in the semi final. And if we reached semi final then we deserve to win the cup. oh yeah we deserve more than winning the WC. We are proud Iranians. We just need to sort a few things out that's all.

[OzzyOscy]

Rarely when a team loses will its supporters say simply "the other team deserved it and were better." Usually this manifests in blaming the ref. It's funny how every ref is part of a conspiracy to make every person's favourite team lose.

We have got spoilt because Iran haven't lost a match since 2015. We've literally forgotten what defeat is like. Funnily enough, in that last loss, it was "the ref's fault" that our player 1) kicked out at someone, 2) feigned injury like a South American, 3) ignored the ref's orders and showed no respect for no one. A player who never played for Iran again.

Iran will always start with a handicap because of seedings. Being lower seeds at a tournament means we'll often get tough groups. There'll be a big 2, Iran, and one other opponent who Iran could get 3 or 1 point from. Everything tends to be on that one match.

I can't speak for 1978, but 1998 Iran had a horrible group of Germany, Yugoslavia and USA. They did really well to beat USA with our best ever side and attacking force.

2006 was disappointing simply for the Angola result, but Angola played smart, like we do now. Mexico and Portugal were very tough sides at the time so they were huge favourites. We did well to stay level in both games for most of the match. The draw with Angola sucked, but they also drew with Mexico and only lost 1-0 to a very early goal to Portugal. Plus Angola had something to play for, we were already out.

2014 was huge progress in intelligence and game management. The players and the country had developed under a hugely qualified foreign coach, not just a manager. Nigeria were wasteful but in the end we got our first ever clean sheet and a point in our opening game. The Argentina match, we all know. Neutrals laughed at Iran, knowing nothing about them so just assumed they would lose "6-0". By the end of the match, the team had won their hearts and Argentina were villains. We needed to beat Bosnia, but when it's attack v attack Bosnia were always big favourites with simply better players, and although we scored it wasn't to be.

In hindsight (at least in the past 20 years), Iran have only had one bad result (Angola), and that was in a match with nothing to play for. Meanwhile we've had 3 positive results (USA, Nigeria, Argentina). Plus we drew a top class Scotland side in '78.

Qualifying means nothing at the World Cup, but to qualify unbeaten and with 9 clean sheets out of 9 in the main group stage is mindblowing. Meanwhile, the squad, thanks in part to Queiroz's standing, respect and ability, has got some great players to join Iran when we would've lost them to Germany, Sweden etc. and we have an exciting attack, while Queiroz's coaching and system means even with a poor domestic-based defence, it is not as much a weak spot as it would be and we can get results.

Unfortunately none of this means we must expect 3 points against Morocco, who despite all of this are still have the stronger individual players and are odds-on favourites, but we are in a better position than ever before. We now know we can get something from EVERY game, not just one. Argentina, Portugal, Spain, doesn't matter. We're fearless. That's a huge asset.

I think when Australia joined Asia, we thought they and maybe South Korea were going to destroy everyone. But look at us, Iran, way ahead of everyone else and representing Asia as the quintessential AFC team.

[Irandoust]

Roozbeh jan, as you are aware, football and specially the world cup is anything but the sport of football it self . It is the battle of countries on the world stage minus the serious, and physical and psychological effect that one can suffer on a real bloody battlefield.
The extremely proud, talented but at the same time hospitable and friendly nature of the people of Iran has consistently been challenged and repressed by the political system that has been brought to power back in 1979. I claim this statement as someone whose ethnicity is among the minority of the many different races that exist in Iran.
Unfortunately, in the last few years and specially in the last few months, things have and continue to turn into worst possible ways that one can imagine. From the gradual drying lakes of Zayanderud and daryache Orumiyeh to the fact that over 70 percent of the entire 80 million population live under the poverty line, to the fact that if anyone complains or protests their living conditions to higher authorities, will end up in the most horrifying and frightening places that one can only see in his or her nightmares.
Achieving great results against our tough and our world class opponents in the group B of this years world cup, and finding our selves in the knock stage will surely give the only and the biggest hope and the energy that the majority of the struggling Iranians are looking for to find the necessary will and the power to unite and continue their war against the religious tyrants in charge of our beloved country until earning the final victory of overthrowing them and starting a new and a hopeful chapter.

[Futbaldoost]

Welcome to PFDC. Here are a few points that could work to our advantage this time around:
1- Unlike 2014, CQ has more quality options at each position and could rotate players to save them for the third game and beyond. He actually said this in one of his interviews. I think that's why he picked younger players over Jallal and Vouria (both of whom I highly respect and wish could stay in the roster). In 2014, our guys clearly ran out of juice agains Bosnia because 80% of the starting line-ups had been the same. The stats clearly show that (e.g. total running distance for the team dropped significantly in game 3).
2- This time around, CQ has many more attacking options and not just Gucci (or partially Ashkaan). ARJ is peaking, Sardaar could breakthrough, Taremi is talented and hardworking, Karim never gives up and is a symbol of resilience and Reza has the experience that we could still count on. Behind these five we have Masoud, Ashkaan, Hajisafi, Omid, Amiri, Torabi and now Saman Ghodoos who is super-talented and hungry.
3- Our training facilities have been much better. Both Beshiktash camp near Istanbul and Lokomotiv camp near Moscow are in amazing locations (close but not too close to the busy megapolis in beautiful wooded areas) with one-stop-shop characteristics. Players can just walk one minute to the gym or training pitches. The Lokomotiv camp was actually reserved by the Italians and we got lucky that they didn't qualify.
4- Last but not least, we are one of the most resilient nations on the face of the planet. Our history has been marked by how as a nation we have come back from devastating genocidal invasions, wars, famine and political repression/strife. I was there in Brazil with my family and lost my voice supporting our guys. I could not watch the rerun or even highlights of the Argentina game for six months. I will be there again in Russia and I will give all I have to support our Yoozpalangan-eh Ghayoor. They will be resilient and I am sure they will make us proud.

[Irandoust]

Futbaldoost jan, for the sake of the majority of our people and our heart broken football fans around the world who don't have much hope on the possible success of our beloved team Meli, I hope that for once your logical statement come true and we do achieve success of finding ourselves in the knock stage. But remember that achieving this magnificent success requires all of us to be ready to accept this priceless gift. Are you ready for it?

[Irandoust]

That mentality is exactly what we need in our current team. And I am sure that Mr Queiroz and his staff do their best to remind our players of that true fact.

[Futbaldoost]

Futbaldoost jan, for the sake of the majority of our people and our heart broken football fans around the world who don't have much hope on the possible success of our beloved team Meli, I hope that for once your logical statement come true and we do achieve success of finding ourselves in the knock stage. But remember that achieving this magnificent success requires all of us to be ready to accept this priceless gift. Are you ready for it?

Good question Irandoust jaan. I am not sure if any of us are. Being able to handle success is sometimes a big problem by itself and size of the problem is correlated to the magnitude of the success. BTW, for me, Team Melli could make us proud while not making it to the knock-out stage.

[sarbaz]

Futbaldoost and Irandoust Aziz
To all the other friends and Doostan here


I have been a member of this site since 1997
you all may not have seen my pic but I am an ex Greco Roman wrestler or Farangi kar and was a competitive
Power lifter for 10 years, 5.8 , 255 pounds and needless to say that even at the age of 47 , I am very stout and
Can still bench press 405 pounds right now and etc etc...but when it comes to Iran I get so emotional.
But my point being is that after 4 years every time I watch the ending of Iran-Argentina match , I cry 😢
It destroyed me beyond believe.
I also for months could not watch any of that game.
The only other time my got was wrenched like that was our 2002 WCQ loss to Bahrain and raising of the Saudi flags
and also the time when
Park ji sung of South Korea on the 80 th min scored the game tying goal in Seoul and prevented us from going to the
2010 WC , remember that ????
I just never wanta feel like that gain , honesty I don’t think my heart can take it anymore.
So I am hoping for some good luck and blessings from God this time around for our TM boys and all
Iranians around the world.
By the way i would love for you all to join me on Face Book if you like.
here is my name for FB, btw my profile pic was taken 2.5 months ago in Kelardasht e Mazandaran shamal e Iran.


Tony Rezakhani

[sarbaz]

By the way I really appreciate you guy’s intelligent feedback and exchange of information

About our beloved TM.

I truely have some very good feelings on this WC where all of my other friends tell me that

We won’t stand a chance and will be out with a 0-3 record.

I sure hope they are all wrong.

[Futbaldoost]

Futbaldoost and Irandoust Aziz
To all the other friends and Doostan here
I have been a member of this site since 1997
you all may not have seen my pic but I am an ex Greco Roman wrestler or Farangi kar and was a competitive
Power lifter for 10 years, 5.8 , 255 pounds and needless to say that even at the age of 47 , I am very stout and
Can still bench press 405 pounds right now and etc etc...but when it comes to Iran I get so emotional.
But my point being is that after 4 years every time I watch the ending of Iran-Argentina match , I cry 😢
It destroyed me beyond believe.
I also for months could not watch any of that game.
The only other time my got was wrenched like that was our 2002 WCQ loss to Bahrain and raising of the Saudi flags
and also the time when
Park ji sung of South Korea on the 80 th min scored the game tying goal in Seoul and prevented us from going to the
2010 WC , remember that ????
I just never wanta feel like that gain , honesty I don’t think my heart can take it anymore.
So I am hoping for some good luck and blessings from God this time around for our TM boys and all
Iranians around the world.
By the way i would love for you all to join me on Face Book if you like.
here is my name for FB, btw my profile pic was taken 2.5 months ago in Kelardasht e Mazandaran shamal e Iran.
Tony Rezakhani

Salam Sarbaz jaan. I have had many of the same feelings as you especially the 2002 qualification game against Bahrain. People have told me that they admire my dedication in supporting Team Melli in face of all the ups and downs and I have always said that I am proud to do so. I am off Social Media to a great extent but let's keep in touch in this forum. BTW, your athletic prowess and dedication is admirable. Good for you. For some reason, I can not see your profile picture.

[Futbaldoost]

By the way I really appreciate you guy’s intelligent feedback and exchange of information

About our beloved TM.

I truely have some very good feelings on this WC where all of my other friends tell me that

We won’t stand a chance and will be out with a 0-3 record.

I sure hope they are all wrong.

Thank you Sarbaz jaan. I think everything hinges on the first game against Morocco. If we win our chances will increase dramatically. Even a tie is a good result but a loss will significantly decrease our chances. That is why CQ has focused on the first game so much.

GO Iran!

[sarbaz]

Futbaldoost

Futbaldoost
My profile pic on FB is there I believe

I don’t have a profile pic here on PFC