AFC Asian Cup 2019 Semi Final: Iran - Japan; Info, Updates & Live Reports (28.01.19)

[teammelli8080]

More cheering for our Team-e MELLI. Good on the fans to do this.

[DR Strangemoosh]

I was just browsing randomly and came across this right now - its the official FIFA book for WC 2018. Was thinking of making a new thread for this section:

Just about the amazing Iranian fans. Here's hoping for a time we can truly be happy

http://ebook.welcome2018.com/17



The Iranians were the most excitable fans at the World Cup in my experience. Certainly the loudest and the most cheerful. If you got among them, they could drive you crazy, leaving you with no choice but to copy them dancing and shouting, "Iran, Iran!"

They changed their look as the match against Portugal drew closer, putting what looked like weird frames around their heads and walking around Saransk scaring the elderly Mordovian ladies, who had never seen anything like it. I decided to take a close look and realised that what they had on their heads were actually footballer collection cards! Didn't all of us in our 40s start collecting such cards before the 1990 World Cup? Didn't we tremble as we tore into our packs to see if there was a rare or coveted player inside?

«ut these cards were massive, bigger than the wearer's head, in fact, showing a smiling fan's face despite the inscription saying Sardar Azmoun, Iran's much-loved striker ...

The Iranians were cunning - and also nimble. You should have seen them adroitly climb the Cathedral of St Theodore Ushakov and wave their flag from underneath the dome. Saransk did not seem to mind, the city folk just chuckled amiably. If this was how they wanted to behave, fine. They will remember these moments for the rest of their lives.

[teammelli91]

I was and am so heartbroken.. It was hard to breathe regularly after the 3rd goal. I want to cry but I can’t. It feels as if I’m crying buckets of tears but in my head.

Losing and getting eliminated when you know the chances are slim to win, is one thing. But to lose like this was truly heart breaking. I wanted to stop posting on PFDC all together for a few months but I can’t hekp but share how unbelievably bad I feel right now. I’m crying as I’m typing.

We worked so hard, we came so far with limited resources.. We had our golden generation accomplish so much and get this far with ease and then one mistake just washes it away..

I’m proud of them for all that this whole team has done from 2011-2019.. But damn does this feel horrible.. I don’t know what else to say except that this pain is worse than the 2011 and 2015 exit. And on top of that we lost an absolute gem of a manager..

[daryl1985]

Have followed Iran closely since the Argentina game in the 2014 WC.
Feel for Iranian fans and Queiroz here.
Best team in Asia in the last 4.5 years for me but sadly unable to win an Asia Cup.
Missed Taremi today, Azmoun was isolated.
Think Iran's lack of temperament cost them.
The warning signs were there in the group stages. Iran risked a red card in every game.
Today they did not play to the whistle and were punished
Also having been such a good defensive team in the last 4 years, they struggled to cope with going behind, left themselves exposed.
Hope you are all proud of this team, hopefully they can build on this in the future but will be hard to find as good a manager.

[teammelli8080]

I don’t know what else to say except that this pain is worse than the 2011 and 2015 exit

It really does. Just know we are all feeling the same as you brother. Soon the clouds of today will part and brighter days are up ahead. Believe.

[teammelli91]

It really does. Just know we are all feeling the same as you brother. Soon the clouds of today will part and brighter days are up ahead. Believe.

I appreciate it brother, I know. I hope we can find someone as good as Carlos to help heal these wounds because these scars are so deep right now..

[Karimi 8]

My head hurts so much all I want to do is yell and I am completely deveststed. I am happy we have PFDC as a community to always be there both during the celebrations and moments like this. I feel so bad but grateful I can turn to this forum.

[Tehranto]

My head hurts so much all I want to do is yell and I am completely deveststed. I am happy we have PFDC as a community to always be there both during the celebrations and moments like this. I feel so bad but grateful I can turn to this forum.

We are here for you and everyone else bro ...

[Ali Doust]

What happened to our depth?? Japan rotated their players and we played Ebrahimi for wver minute of this tournament. Whats the point of depth if you dont use it. I am confident guys like Nourollahi couldve been more of a factor if given the time to play.

[Farhad21]

how did Kanaani get to tm? who goes crying to the ref before he even calls the foul.

[diz]

Gracious even in defeat: CQ’s words to the Japanese fans/team.

http://www.the-afc.com/asiancup/vide...d-coaches-said

[Sam van Dam]

how did Kanaani get to tm? who goes crying to the ref before he even calls the foul.

half of our field players. not just kanani

[eliz3p]

half of our field players. not just kanani

i still cannot accept the fact that 5 of our players did that....5! whatsmore it includes our captain Hajsafi (think he was the captain after Ashkan was subbed)!

[mehdiKia15]

i still cannot accept the fact that 5 of our players did that....5! whatsmore it includes our captain Hajsafi (think he was the captain after Ashkan was subbed)!

This is how they play football in Iran. They all go chasing refs in the middle of a game it’s very common in IPL.Actually even in Arab leagues I’ve seen it and in India and I think in Pakistan..I hope you understand my point.

[Sam van Dam]

very bush league ^^^