Players Deserving of a World Cup Roster

[KC McElroy]

Hosseini did score a header against Uzbekistan in the away game.

Yes but he was nothing irreplacible. We had other players who could have taken his place.

[Ghermez Agha]

Regardless of their ability and level of play, neither one really played in role in qualification. I was leaning more towards players who helped get Iran qualified and yet were left out of the World Cup.

I think that’s a fair criteria but shouldn’t be the end all, be all. Preparing for a tournament like the WC you simply must take the 23 best players who give you a chance to win games and yes the people who helped get you there matter but there are other factors to consider as well (which players are well suited for certain opponents, evolution of form, etc.)

[KC McElroy]

I think that’s a fair criteria but shouldn’t be the end all, be all. Preparing for a tournament like the WC you simply must take the 23 best players who give you a chance to win games and yes the people who helped get you there matter but there are other factors to consider as well (which players are well suited for certain opponents, evolution of form, etc.)

That's true but in terms of the two players I mentioned (Modirroosta and Khalatbari) I think not only did they help the qualification but were good enough to make the roster as well. I gave Modirroosta zero chance of actually playing in the World Cup but in case of an injury to Azizi or Daei I think he would have been the better replacement compared to Seraj or especially Latifi. Khalatbari could have taken the place of Haddadifar or Rahmani.
Given that you also follow the US team, imagine how devastating it was for Jeff Agoos to play in every qualification match for the 1998 World Cup and then at the last minute be relegated to a sub and have David Regis play in the World Cup. Now take it one step further and imagine if after the qualification games Agoos wouldn't have even made the roster. It's like you doing all the work and someone else collecting your paycheck.

[KasraKhan]

About Seyed Jalal, I was shocked when he was omitted, but in hindsight never doubt CQ. Seyed Jalal's exclusion allowed for Majid Hosseini's blossoming. Also, once Seyed Jalal was omitted, he started bashing CQ in the media. Showed his true colors. I also wonder if there were locker room issues that played into CQ's decision.

Nonetheless, CQ never, ever, put any individual above the team, and Seyed Jalal was no exception.

[Sepehr9]

Azizi - without him we would not have qualified for world cup 2006 plus he is one of the all time best we've ever had.
Nikbakht - world cup 2006, he was important in some qualification games.
Khalatbari - world cup 2014, same goes for him.
Ali Karimi - world cup 2014, he may not have played an important part in Iran qualifying, but he is Ali Karimi.

[Iran_19]

Khalatbari, He was one of our best players during that qualifier.

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[KC McElroy]

Khalatbari, He was one of our best players during that qualifier.

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That truly was puzzling.

[_Navid_]

That's true but in terms of the two players I mentioned (Modirroosta and Khalatbari) I think not only did they help the qualification but were good enough to make the roster as well. I gave Modirroosta zero chance of actually playing in the World Cup but in case of an injury to Azizi or Daei I think he would have been the better replacement compared to Seraj or especially Latifi. Khalatbari could have taken the place of Haddadifar or Rahmani.
Given that you also follow the US team, imagine how devastating it was for Jeff Agoos to play in every qualification match for the 1998 World Cup and then at the last minute be relegated to a sub and have David Regis play in the World Cup. Now take it one step further and imagine if after the qualification games Agoos wouldn't have even made the roster. It's like you doing all the work and someone else collecting your paycheck.

I remember back in Mayelikohan coaching days many people in Iran used to say Modirroosta only gets invited and played because he is a religious Hezbollahi like Mayeli. I think he was the only one with a beard back then. But the guy was actually good and continued playing well in the league a good 5-6 years after world cup 1998. Ali Latifi and Seraj were lucky they had wonderful seasons just before the world cup, but didn't deserve to go to the world cup over him.

[KC McElroy]

I remember back in Mayelikohan coaching days many people in Iran used to say Modirroosta only gets invited and played because he is a religious Hezbollahi like Mayeli. I think he was the only one with a beard back then. But the guy was actually good and continued playing well in the league a good 5-6 years after world cup 1998. Ali Latifi and Seraj were lucky they had wonderful seasons just before the world cup, but didn't deserve to go to the world cup over him.

Modirroosta was invited even when he was clean cut in the early 90s. He was a good forward scoring for both club and TM. I think he was picked by merit not religiousness.
Speaking of Mayelikohan why did he not ever invite Zarrincheh? Some say it was a red/blue issue.

[Iran_19]

Modirroosta was invited even when he was clean cut in the early 90s. He was a good forward scoring for both club and TM. I think he was picked by merit not religiousness.
Speaking of Mayelikohan why did he not ever invite Zarrincheh? Some say it was a red/blue issue.

Yeah I never got that either, Zarincheh was 29/30 during 96 AC, you could say a RB lose a step or two around 30 but considering his main choice was Sadavi, this decision was never justified.

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[Nokhodi]

Yeah I never got that either, Zarincheh was 29/30 during 96 AC, you could say a RB lose a step or two around 30 but considering his main choice was Sadavi, this decision was never justified.

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To be fair to Mayeli Kohan he pretty much wanted to get rid of the 1992/1993 TM as possible. He basically changed TM except for the superstars (Daei, Bagheri, Abedzadeh) and maybe Estili and Khakpour.

[Iran_19]

To be fair to Mayeli Kohan he pretty much wanted to get rid of the 1992/1993 TM as possible. He basically changed TM except for the superstars (Daei, Bagheri, Abedzadeh) and maybe Estili and Khakpour.

Yeah but he had his way of choosing players, I mean ostadasadi over Pasha?
But in his defense he wasn't scared to try new players at very young age.
Both Yazdani and Majidi were around 18 in 96.
You can mention Kia, Nakisa, Minavand, and few others who were around 20.

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[mahestan]

Yeah but he had his way of choosing players, I mean ostadasadi over Pasha?
But in his defense he wasn't scared to try new players at very young age.
Both Yazdani and Majidi were around 18 in 96.
You can mention Kia, Nakisa, Minavand, and few others who were around 20.

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I can't believe I am saying this, but Mayeli Kohan would've been a "decent" coach (and I use decent lightly) and a decent talent scout if he didn't have a screw or two loose. Ostad Asadi was just an anomoly, anyone have any clue why he got called up? I never forget the OG he scored within the first few minutes of the game against Japan. I had to listen to that game on the radio, and when they yelled goal Ostad Asadi I thought he broke a record by scoring a goal against Japan that quick, then realizing it was an OG.

[perspolis#1]

I can't believe I am saying this, but Mayeli Kohan would've been a "decent" coach (and I use decent lightly) and a decent talent scout if he didn't have a screw or two loose. Ostad Asadi was just an anomoly, anyone have any clue why he got called up? I never forget the OG he scored within the first few minutes of the game against Japan. I had to listen to that game on the radio, and when they yelled goal Ostad Asadi I thought he broke a record by scoring a goal against Japan that quick, then realizing it was an OG.

Didn't Mayelikohan essentially invent "aliasghari bekesh ziresh" futbol?

[mahestan]

Didn't Mayelikohan essentially invent "aliasghari bekesh ziresh" futbol?

To be honest I don't know. Whoever did it, that bekesh ziresh/bezan ziresh mentality has dug it's roots deep into our football.