Morroco - Iran POST MATCH DISCUSSION

[KC McElroy]

Does anyone have a picture of the players tossing CQ in thw air after the game?

[Doctor DOOM]

I was going to start writing about our game as if Germany was playing Morocco, but remembered I had already done that before. Which points to a major issue about TM; we’ve become uncharacteristically disciplined under CQ. That itself may be the single most important factor in our success in int’l games for the past few years.

We came into the game as clear underdogs, facing the much more skilled Moroccan team whose players are some of the stars of top European clubs. Enters CQ, the wiley, shrewd old fox that he’s reputed to be. We all knew he’d have major plans for this game from the moment the WC Draw was done many centuries ago. This game was our WC tournament. The entire tournament. The WC final for us. So you bet your ass he’d have plans for this. To surprise & catch the opponents off guard.

But if you thought the Moroccans would be surprised, the released line up & later on, the team formation confused Iranians too! Even after the major shock of leaving Jalal Hosseini back in Iran, which was a shocker to almost all of us.
To me our formation looked like 343, which is something I haven’t seen TM play … like EVER. Then comes his roster where the obvious choice for an experienced CB in absence of Hosseini, Montazeri was also missing. Leaving it all to PAG to marshal the defense. Along with Rezaeian, a RB who now has to perform as a CB! And Cheshmi, a part-time MD, filling in as the 3rd CB! Whoooaa, … hello!!

Seeing Hajsafi on the left DM gave the impression that he’d be running ragged between DN duties as well as part-time LB, part-time LM. Energizer Bunny, … move aside. Here comes Ehsan.

Captain Shojaei, Ebrahimi, JB, Azmoun and Amiri were the staple in TM and brought some familiarity. But what on God’s wide earth was Ansarifard doing in …. somewhere there in the midfield??? More on this later.
I’m sure apart from TM squad & bench, the rest of the world was feeling amused to exacerbated, … but also intrigued. Intrigued just how we’d perform.

We all have seen the game, so I wont go over the events. But the utter supremacy in display of discipline by TM under so much pressure was tremendously satisfying. It was understood that every single player had to take part in defense. And they did. Even JB and Amiri, our wingers, who spent much time in our own half or on the halfline than in opponents’ box.

But while we were in awe of our team cohesion & focus, there was something familiar as the game progressed. We absorbed the pressure. Kept our defensive shape. And started to get comfortable with quick counters. We even created a few dangerous attacks that with a little more focus from our strikers, we could have even taken the lead.

What became clear after the first 30 minutes of intense Moroccan pressure (mixed with a fortunate block by Beiranvand & Cheshmi to block a 100% goal) was that they just didn’t have an idea how to deal with our meshwork of players. Moreover they also had to watch for our quick moves that were starting to trouble Benatia and co. Even after their coach had a chance to reorganize his team and come up with alternatives, we saw the same old pattern of attacks from flanks that made our work easier to deal with. Perhaps it was credit to PAG-Cheshmi-Ebrahimi triangle in the center that formed an unsurpassable wall.
Their only remedy was change of personnel… which did nothing to offer as alternative for their now toothless, predictable attacks. While our lads showed more energy and drive and pushed for the kill near the end.

Yes, the goal was an own goal and lucky. But luck favors the brave. The fact that we went toe to toe with such jam packed team and had the audacity to attack them and pick our moments showed we did deserve to get something out of the game. Full credit to CQ’s masterful tactics and strategy, as well as our lads’ magnificent focused performances.

Now if Spain and Portugal are going to start taking notice of our team’s movements and tactics and especially roster, … heh, well as they say, they’ve got another thing coming. Hang onto your shorts gents, coz you might have a very bumby ride.

At this point, after the events & news of the past month, I don’t dare predict our line up or formation or strategy. However, one thing is ensured. A very disciplined TM display, yet again.

Thanks TM & CQ for letting us hope we may yet advance.

[arash123]

We had a clean sheet vs. Nigeria in 2014

Yes we did. But that was a 0-0 draw. We've never had victory in a shutout prior to today in WC

[Adesor Vafaseya]

Does anyone have a picture of the players tossing CQ in thw air after the game?

its a full 1.15 mins video on CQs facebook feeder. have a look. lots of hugs and kisses too.

[Adesor Vafaseya]

I was going to start writing about our game as if Germany was playing Morocco, but remembered I had already done that before. Which points to a major issue about TM; we’ve become uncharacteristically disciplined under CQ. That itself may be the single most important factor in our success in int’l games for the past few years.

We came into the game as clear underdogs, facing the much more skilled Moroccan team whose players are some of the stars of top European clubs. Enters CQ, the wiley, shrewd old fox that he’s reputed to be. We all knew he’d have major plans for this game from the moment the WC Draw was done many centuries ago. This game was our WC tournament. The entire tournament. The WC final for us. So you bet your ass he’d have plans for this. To surprise & catch the opponents off guard.

But if you thought the Moroccans would be surprised, the released line up & later on, the team formation confused Iranians too! Even after the major shock of leaving Jalal Hosseini back in Iran, which was a shocker to almost all of us.
To me our formation looked like 343, which is something I haven’t seen TM play … like EVER. Then comes his roster where the obvious choice for an experienced CB in absence of Hosseini, Montazeri was also missing. Leaving it all to PAG to marshal the defense. Along with Rezaeian, a RB who now has to perform as a CB! And Cheshmi, a part-time MD, filling in as the 3rd CB! Whoooaa, … hello!!

Seeing Hajsafi on the left DM gave the impression that he’d be running ragged between DN duties as well as part-time LB, part-time LM. Energizer Bunny, … move aside. Here comes Ehsan.

Captain Shojaei, Ebrahimi, JB, Azmoun and Amiri were the staple in TM and brought some familiarity. But what on God’s wide earth was Ansarifard doing in …. somewhere there in the midfield??? More on this later.
I’m sure apart from TM squad & bench, the rest of the world was feeling amused to exacerbated, … but also intrigued. Intrigued just how we’d perform.

We all have seen the game, so I wont go over the events. But the utter supremacy in display of discipline by TM under so much pressure was tremendously satisfying. It was understood that every single player had to take part in defense. And they did. Even JB and Amiri, our wingers, who spent much time in our own half or on the halfline than in opponents’ box.

But while we were in awe of our team cohesion & focus, there was something familiar as the game progressed. We absorbed the pressure. Kept our defensive shape. And started to get comfortable with quick counters. We even created a few dangerous attacks that with a little more focus from our strikers, we could have even taken the lead.

What became clear after the first 30 minutes of intense Moroccan pressure (mixed with a fortunate block by Beiranvand & Cheshmi to block a 100% goal) was that they just didn’t have an idea how to deal with our meshwork of players. Moreover they also had to watch for our quick moves that were starting to trouble Benatia and co. Even after their coach had a chance to reorganize his team and come up with alternatives, we saw the same old pattern of attacks from flanks that made our work easier to deal with. Perhaps it was credit to PAG-Cheshmi-Ebrahimi triangle in the center that formed an unsurpassable wall.
Their only remedy was change of personnel… which did nothing to offer as alternative for their now toothless, predictable attacks. While our lads showed more energy and drive and pushed for the kill near the end.

Yes, the goal was an own goal and lucky. But luck favors the brave. The fact that we went toe to toe with such jam packed team and had the audacity to attack them and pick our moments showed we did deserve to get something out of the game. Full credit to CQ’s masterful tactics and strategy, as well as our lads’ magnificent focused performances.

Now if Spain and Portugal are going to start taking notice of our team’s movements and tactics and especially roster, … heh, well as they say, they’ve got another thing coming. Hang onto your shorts gents, coz you might have a very bumby ride.

At this point, after the events & news of the past month, I don’t dare predict our line up or formation or strategy. However, one thing is ensured. A very disciplined TM display, yet again.

Thanks TM & CQ for letting us hope we may yet advance.

Good post.
My take as I stated earlier

- typical CQ tactics, let them attack till they get tired and lose concentration, then hit hard.
All their massive attacks for an early goal went nowhere and they lost hope and concentration in the end phase of the game, while we pushed more and more forward! beautiful.

- I saw a 4-1-4-1 formation.

- CQ risked this line up vs Morocco to hide his main line up for Spain (and Portugal) it paid off.

- We DID NOT run out of gas after 90 mins unlike WC2014! Team is ready!

[inarsenewetrust]

THE BEST MOMENT OF LIFE BAR NONE. will post incredible videos for you soon. I hugged and kissed about 200-300 random, grown men.
what a performance. CQ is a genius. After first 15 mins, where we soaked up pressure, we were the better team. Morocco could not break us down, and only had one chance (beiranvand's great save). Besides that we were more dangerous, even with less possession, and looked very confident. I think we can beat portugal and go through. ONWARDS!

[teammelli8080]

I could have sworn I saw Montazeri coming on. Did we do 4 subs? I saw Taremi, Montazeri, Ghoddos, Hosseini, but I didn't actually see four substitutions on the pitch.

[arash123]

I could have sworn I saw Montazeri coming on. Did we do 4 subs? I saw Taremi, Montazeri, Ghoddos, Hosseini, but I didn't actually see four substitutions on the pitch.

I was confused about this. Do injury subs not count towards the 3? would explain the ghoddos for ARJ sub

[Camran khan]

I could have sworn I saw Montazeri coming on. Did we do 4 subs? I saw Taremi, Montazeri, Ghoddos, Hosseini, but I didn't actually see four substitutions on the pitch.

Montazeri was about to come on but Hosseini was subbed in instead of him. Not sure why though.

[Bache Irani]

I thought the same thing but montazeri never came on. They switched to hosseini instead. So it was Hosseini, Taremi and Ghoddos.

[teammelli8080]

wow VERY classy move by gucci, always been a very classy guy

https://www.instagram.com/p/BkDtJlUH...en-by=rgucci16

[Under Lahaf]

who would've thought we would be on top of the group after day 1?

[arash123]

wow VERY classy move by gucci, always been a very classy guy

https://www.instagram.com/p/BkDtJlUH...en-by=rgucci16

Who can seriously look at this team and not admire them? I can't stop knocking on wood because of all the good things I have to say about this TEAM and how proud they make me to be Iranian. I came to work immediately after the game. I've been on the verge of tears since I came in lol.

[MR.S]

What Can I say?

First of all, I'll never doubt CQ again.
I've usually supported him but when I saw Mimo out, I got very worried.

Omid Ebrahimi - I owe you a big apology, you were amazing. A lion, cheetah, rock and eagle on the field. Damesh garm. MoM

Shojaei and Ansarifard need to be benched.

First 20 minutes we were nervous but the rest of the game Morocco played into our style.

Also physically TM was phenomenal. This is why conditioning and hard training is better than 100 frienldies versus Italy and Holland and Kooft and Zahre mar.

Hajisafi while controlling the ball was great, defensively he was still very late.

Azmoun - was out of it.
JB was in the right position but was clearly really nervous.

Cheshmi was not tested, thank goodness.

Taremi, Ghoddoos - pressured beautifully.

Pouraliganji was also wonderful.

THank you TM, thank you CQ.
This is a great gift to our country and thank you for uniting us all, wherever we are and whatever we think of politically or religiously.

Enjoy it everyone.
Now let's take Spain down.

Also F*** you Nike.

lol I was going to remind you that you owe Ebrahimi an apology on this forum

[KC McElroy]

We are superior. We always were.