Friendly: Bosnia and Herzegovina - Iran; Info, Updates and Live Reports (12.11.2020)

[Ardalan]

In bord baraye khod-bavarie team moheme.

Hala bayad did zire feshaare vaaghei team che-gooneh amal mikone.

Raasti baazi badi ma dar March ast rooberooye Bahrein, ya hanooz vaghte bargozaarie baazi doostaaneh darim?

[webmaster]

Youtube has removed all the highlights of the game so here is from Vimeo for those who have not watched the highlights: https://vimeo.com/478663196

[Salar]

Begović?

Sehic. Begovic was wearing the no 1 jersey but Sehic is their main keeper. Amazing guy as well.

[Sepehr9]

Well. I have to be honest, that was not what I was expecting from the game. Not that I thought we were going to get thrashed or anything, but I was not expecting a resounding 2-0 win in style. Bosnia is a very good team with world-class level players. For us to field the team we did, play the way we did, and get the result we did is a big statement and makes me very hopeful of not only qualifying for the WC, but having a very good one at that. Obviously, we have to take it all with a grain of salt given the friendly nature of the game, but still. Take nothing away from this win, it was a very valuable one. It increases the players' trust in the coach. It brings our swag back. It makes us believe again.
A couple notes:
- I think this game showed that Gholizadeh is a must starter going forward. For me this is a no-brainer. He didn't even have his greatest game today. But he is by far our most creative and explosive player, and will be key to breaking down defenses. I don't care if ARJ has to get benched. If it's for the better of TM, then it has to be done.
- Welcome back Saeed. Him coming into the game gave me a calming feeling, and it looked like it was the same for the players. Any time we had the ball in the midfield, players were looking to give him the ball. He won challenges. He controlled the pace. He solidified the midfield. IMO, having Saeed healthy and in good-form is the most important thing for TM. He is truly our only irreplaceable player, and takes our game to another level.
- Going forward, Kaveh and Mehdi Ghaedi should be playing major roles in the team. I can't see either one starting just yet, just too much competition. But they can be used as super subs, and they can deliver. Both scored exceptional goals today. And what a way for Ghaei to introduce himself to TM. This kid is here to stay, and will be a big part of our team for years to come.
Again, great win. To follow our win again Uzbekistan by this will do us a world of good, and really lift spirits.

Piss poor? Bosnia drew Holland, do you see Bahrain and Iraq ever getting a draw against Holland?

Furthermore, Kaveh Rezaei is a limited player, he has an eye for scoring goals but he can't hold up the ball for dear life. Azmoun and Taremi are in an entirely different league than Rezaei. Ghaedi is not a striker, he is too small to play that role, he is better suited as second forward or playing from the wings.

[The]

Piss poor? Bosnia drew Holland, do you see Bahrain and Iraq ever getting a draw against Holland?
Furthermore, Kaveh Rezaei is a limited player, he has an eye for scoring goals but he can't hold up the ball for dear life. Azmoun and Taremi are in an entirely different league than Rezaei. Ghaedi is not a striker, he is too small to play that role, he is better suited as second forward or playing from the wings.

One of his best talents is holding up the ball with his back to the net and playing the "no-look" through ball to other forwards. He's been doing that for years in Belgium.

[mehdi13]

The high press is history as soon you replace Rezaei with Azmoun.

[Futbaldoost]

I watched the first half again since I had only seen it on and off. I was impressed overall. The passing for the whole match was actually better than I thought and my calculation was off by 1% (it was just over 70%). There is definitely room for improvement yet I think it was clear that the team had a game plan. Defense was overall solid and so many of the through passes were intercepted. We also dominated in the air in our box and that was an accomplishment considering the height of BHG players. Again Ehsan was the weakest link. The main advantage he provided was that we realized we could handle a team like BHG with ten players. It is not going to be automatic yet I imagine when the fantastic five of Azmoun, Taremi, ARJ, Ghoddoos and Beiro are also available we could defeat Bahrain and Iraq in Tehran next June. Hong Kong and Cambodia matches in March will be good preparations yet we continue to need friendlies like this.

These two goals were fantastic.

First one was the quickness of Amiri punishing the BHG left defense for his error and making an accurate pass inside the box to Kaveh. Watch Kaveh's beautiful touch and then the world class surgical strike between three BHG defenders that hits inside the post and rolls in away from the diving BHG keeper. This one was Messi-like. It was definitely not easy and both Amiri and Kaveh created something out of nothing: https://video.varzesh3.com/video/222...7%DB%8C%DB%8C)

Second one starts with an amazing and accurate one touch assist volley from Saeid that comes down on Ghaedi's chest who again beautifully sets it up with his body for a gorgeous strike away from diving goalie. This one was not easy either and if Ghaedi had not fired quickly the BHG defender was there to block him. Saeid is 24 and Ghaedi is 21 meaning that we could see many more combinations like this in the coming years. https://video.varzesh3.com/video/222...c%d8%af%db%8c)

Go TM!

[Sepehr9]

One of his best talents is holding up the ball with his back to the net and playing the "no-look" through ball to other forwards. He's been doing that for years in Belgium.

Yes he really showed that against Bosnia... Not! It's a different ball game holding up the ball against the likes of Lokeren en St Truiden than against International defenders. That's why he couldn't hold the ball against strong and faster Bosnian defenders despite the fact that he's being doing exactly that for years in Belgium.

[Sepehr9]

The high press is history as soon you replace Rezaei with Azmoun.

You mean high pressure like this:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=obbYxf1rM1g

Whenever Rezaei sets up a goal like this i'll give him a cookie. Also, Azmoun has more quality in his little pinky toe than Rezaei in his entire body so don't even go there my friend.

[mehdi13]

You mean high pressure like this:
Whenever Rezaei sets up a goal like this i'll give him a cookie. Also, Azmoun has more quality in his little pinky toe than Rezaei in his entire body so don't even go there my friend.

Haha, you are using that joke Chinese defense as an example?

[inarsenewetrust]

Im sorry guys but rezaei's retention rate is objectively weak. I admire his pressing, his mentality, and WHEN he retains the ball he actually has nice vision.

BUT, you only need to rewatch game to see that of the long balls hit to him, either in air or to feet, he only managed to actually retain a handful last night. From that perspective he is in a different league to azmoun or taremi who can hold their own vs pretty much any defenders in the world.

Thats also one of the main reasons kaveh was outed from brugge, albeit unfairly. In the matches he played he really struggled to hold the ball up and in general they opted for more physical 9s who could do so.

What I liked about Kaveh : He missed a great chance, and in general had a weak performance, but then had the mentality and confidence to take his goal as cleanly as he did. That is the difference between kaveh and ansarifard. When ansarifard misses a good chance he often misses the next 5 or 6.

Kaveh is our third choice CF and a very competent backup. but comparing him to sardar or taremi is just stupid. Also not sure where this idea that sardar cannot press well came from, he has built up very good endurance and is in all physical aspects a perfect CF. Although Kaveh is a fantastic presser and thats one of his best attributes, doesnt mean sardars pressing is weak. In general there are levels of difference between the two, proven by azmouns club and international goal record.

[Sepehr9]

Haha, you are using that joke Chinese defense as an example?

Haha, you are seriously comparing Rezaei to Azmoun?

Let's compare Payan Rafat to Ali Daei while we're at it.

[mehdi13]

Haha, you are seriously comparing Rezaei to Azmoun?

Let's compare Payan Rafat to Ali Daei while we're at it.

I’m comparing their ability to press...

[Galactika]

I’m comparing their ability to press...

in fact Azmoun's smart pressing is one the strong aspects of his game when he plays in the UCL.
Although in your defence I must say last night(or yesterday depending on where you live) we played very gheirati and kaveh and gholi put some mad pressure on the opponents.

[koorosh]

In general there are levels of difference between the two, proven by azmouns club and international goal record.

If you look at Sardars goal output vs Kaveh, the difference is not by a lot. In Zenit, Sardar has scored 39 goals in 67 games...InCharleroi Kaveh 40 in 82 games. Both Sardar and Kaveh had much lower goals in other teams. Regarding international goals, Kaveh has either been injured or not selected so has had much fewer chances. I am not arguing you are incorrect and would pick Sardar myself but the differences are not night and day. That goal Kaveh scored against Bosnia was a real striker's goal. One chance and he put it away beautifully. He made a compelling case! Clubwise Kaveh is a bit hot and cold at the moment but he made a mark here.
Ghaedi's goal was unbelievable! He positioned that shot giving no one any chance. This kid is something! His physique needs work but he's got laser targetting!