World Cup 2022 Qualifier: Iran - Hong Kong; Info, Updates & Live Reports (03.06.21)

[Kiarash]

Very happy Hajsafi got benched.

[ParthianDE]

After a couple of errors and corrections (embarrassing!) IFF site has put the list out:

http://ffiri.ir/fa/news/8256/%D8%A7%...A9%D9%86%DA%AF

Beiro
Moharami
Khalilzadeh
Kanaanizadegan
Ezattollahi
Noorollahi
Amiri
Jahanbakhsh (C)
Gholizadeh
Taremi
Azmoon

I guess he is using Amiri as the left back. No milad. Good decision not to include Hajsafi.

Go TM!

Wow, that's a very offensive lineup!

Thank God, no Hajsafi.

[Iranianarsenal11]

I'll tell you what I'm looking the most closely at in terms of analyzing positional play:

-Midfield: This is a must. If there's one position Iraq may be stronger than us, it is in the central midfield with their physical bully Saafa Hadi. Therefore, we need to see good football and chemistry between Saeid and Nourollahi. It's already an amazing sign that Hajsafi is on the bench.

-Center back: I have a lot of trust between the four of Kanaani, Shoja, PAG, and Majid, but I want the best two starting always. Kanaani has never impressed me too much and I would prefer Shoja and PAG, so I'm keeping an eye on Kanaani specifically today.

[BacheLot]

Not that offensive. We are still playing 4 in the game with two DMs. Gholizadeh can also put in a defensive shift if needed as well. I'd say it's a pretty neutral lineup in terms of defense and attack but every player on the pitch can score which is awesome!

Amiri can also cover with his non stop engine and excellent workrate

just the softy defense ARJ with a rusty Moharami behind him gives me a bit of scare but our back 3 should take care of the few HK that squeeze through...
we need to put out some goals to build back our GD though .... no excuse for it
and Sardar needs to just stay up there ready to attack and dont even bother tackling anyone..

[Dortmund]

Hopefully this doesn't mean Hajsafi is being saved for Bahrain

[Ghermez Agha]

I cannot believe what I’m seeing....Hajsafi on the bench and showing some common sense starting Ezi!!!!

Mashalla

[Medzdidz]

I like the line up and hoping we finish the tie by half time so that we can get Azmoun off that pitch. We will win today and I think
It will be comfortable, just worried about Sardar being one yellow away from suspension.

[BacheLot]

Hopefully this doesn't mean Hajsafi is being saved for Bahrain

lool

[rjafari]

I like the line up and hoping we finish the tie by half time so that we can get Azmoun off that pitch. We will win today and I think
It will be comfortable, just worried about Sardar being one yellow away from suspension.

Agreed - i'd have actually started him on bench and brought him on if we needed him - but with a lack of friendlies i guess it is more important to get this team practice together. Shades of leaving Taremi on too long at Asian Cup knowing we needed him for the Japan Semis...

[Medzdidz]

I like it all but I would prefer Mohammadi at LB, is he injured??? I suppose Amiri has a lot of the right skills for that position too just hope we don’t get hit on the counter

He picked up a knock towards the end of Belgian season and missed some games.

[Kian H]

Am I the only one seeing this as a sign for Hajsafi playing against Bahrain? Damn i hope I am wrong

[Roozbeh-G2006]

HK is not a weak team and could cause us problems too but I hope this match will make them sort out their weaknesses and prepares them well and make them stronger for their clash against Iraq and Bahrain to get some points, which is good for their football in general.

[rjafari]

Am I the only one seeing this as a sign for Hajsafi playing against Bahrain? Damn i hope I am wrong

It could be he's trying to field this line up and get them practice since we didn't have a friendly.

but probably yes...

[ParthianDE]

I like the line up and hoping we finish the tie by half time so that we can get Azmoun off that pitch. We will win today and I think
It will be comfortable, just worried about Sardar being one yellow away from suspension.

Definitely. I'm actually suprised he is starting! I guess the plan is to score lots of goals early on.

[BacheLot]

I'll tell you what I'm looking the most closely at in terms of analyzing positional play:

-Midfield: This is a must. If there's one position Iraq may be stronger than us, it is in the central midfield with their physical bully Saafa Hadi. Therefore, we need to see good football and chemistry between Saeid and Nourollahi. It's already an amazing sign that Hajsafi is on the bench.

-Center back: I have a lot of trust between the four of Kanaani, Shoja, PAG, and Majid, but I want the best two starting always. Kanaani has never impressed me too much and I would prefer Shoja and PAG, so I'm keeping an eye on Kanaani specifically today.

we worry about iraq when it comes to it.... we should know better which MFdrs work best and click by the time we face them... and hopefully a tie is enough to see us and them through by then
kannani is not all that bad...well i dont know? he seems to partner up with shoja fine and looks a legit threat from set pieces the other way too... but that's the big issue with not playing many decent and challenging friendlies... a lotta questions still remain and we have find out via official WCQs who works best where..!! :/