Discuss Group B here

[Leicester City]

[perspolis#1]

Skocic or CQ there are several key factors we need to improve on/strategize for in our games.

1) Physicality:

In Asia, we are the most physically dominant next to Australia. In this group, we don't have that anymore. Solid plans need to be made for defense on set pieces to eliminate any aerial threat, the US/Welsh/English CBs, Kane, Bale etc have against our team. Similarly, all three teams have players that are at the same pace/faster than we are in terms of speed. Counters will be devastating and we should prioritize minimizing the amount of space available as much as possible. A similar strategy to how we managed Argentina(letting them work in the wings) but closing off the middle might help against the Wales/USA especially. Pulisic and Reyna are good in central areas but no one on either team has particularly good crossers on the wings. Against England we need an off day for the wingers too. The right combination of midfielders is crucial. Wales and the US(Musah, McKennie, Adams) are a team of ball carriers, not dribblers. We need to be able to knock them off the ball and beat their press which is so far OUR BIGGEST WEAKNESS TO DATE. This leads to the next point..
2) Passing Play:

We are sometimes terrible in beating the press with passes and opt to aliasghari lob it out instead. If we beat a high press by Wales and the US, we open up a lot of opportunity in behind. I am actually quite confident in Azmoun/Taremi if they are able to run at the other centrebacks especially against Zimmerman or Mepham/Rodon as they have pace on them and can win fouls/beat a high line to be in. We need proper movement off the ball/passing triangles to get in those positions though. Some interviews by Berhalter already indicate the US will try a press.
3) Wings:

I don't know how Sayyadmanesh will be by the world cup but we need something to pin back the wingbacks in all the games. If we let Walker, Alexander-Arnold, Yedlin etc be left untested then they will be able to contribute in the attack which will be dangerous as TAA is England's best crosser. None of our wingers besides AS have a lot of speed but I hope either Torabi/Gholizadeh/Jahanbakhsh can outperform their baseline to causing trouble for the other teams.

4) Coaching.

Every single TM player is old enough in some way have seen how stupid player decisions have affected Team Melli negatively. Examples include Alavi's stupid shove on the forgotten Chinese player in AC 2004, Pouladi antics in AC 2015, the players forgetting what a whistle is in AC 2019 versus Japan. We need to be a disciplined team, play to the whistle and not complain too much. PUBLIC OPINION IS AGAINST US. While we think that doesn't matter, it absolutely will affect referee decisions especially from referees from certain countries who have no problem calling soft penalties against us.

5) Get edgy-->

We need to have some grit and not be a soft, taarofi team. All of these teams, especially US and England will do whatever it takes to win. If we survive the first half against England to a 0-0 or better we absolutely should focus on frustrating them and gaining advantages in that way.

[diz]

The last time we played USMNT was on U.S. soil. January 16, 2000 at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena California. The last time we played each other was over 20 years ago.. Crazy. Both teams have gone through so much transformation, ups and downs in the last 2 decades. Even though we're going through and facing some difficult times these days with our lovely football federation/majles e varzesh, I'm sure many eyes will be on this match. Not just Iranians and Americans, the whole world will tune in to watch this particular one for sure.

Also the last time I watched a TM match in person! Would have been in Canada too for the friendly, but so goes the world.

[Kiarash]

If TM becomes 2nd in this group which is now a possibility since CQ returned, and Netherlands becomes 1st, we get the R16 match up I dreamt of since I was a kid (born and raised in Netherlands). Would be fantastic if we can eliminate them after their lowly thinking of us.

[Ghermez Agha]

If TM becomes 2nd in this group which is now a possibility since CQ returned, and Netherlands becomes 1st, we get the R16 match up I dreamt of since I was a kid (born and raised in Netherlands). Would be fantastic if we can eliminate them after their lowly thinking of us.

I would love a r16 netherlands match up. Very beatable IMO

[perspolis#1]

Let's focus on the group first. US still with legionnaires doing well and the Welsh being like us in terms of collective performance.

In my opinion it is absolutely crucial that the US Wales game ends in a tie.

[tooleh khers]

If TM becomes 2nd in this group which is now a possibility since CQ returned, and Netherlands becomes 1st, we get the R16 match up I dreamt of since I was a kid (born and raised in Netherlands). Would be fantastic if we can eliminate them after their lowly thinking of us.

That didn't end well. lol

[M.U.F.C]

If TM becomes 2nd in this group which is now a possibility since CQ returned, and Netherlands becomes 1st, we get the R16 match up I dreamt of since I was a kid (born and raised in Netherlands). Would be fantastic if we can eliminate them after their lowly thinking of us.

If Netherlands vs Iran happens someday, who do you cheer for? Netherlands or Iran?

[Damavand]

We did play Netherlands before in our first ever WC game in 1978 which we lost 3-0. That Netherlands team went on all the way to the finals losing to the host team Argentina.

With CQ at helm I sure we will do much better this time.

[diz]

Well then. Let’s go Wales! (against England of course)

[DR Strangemoosh]

For people who really think the possibility of CQ coming back is realistic, just wondering what your narcotic(s) of choice is/are...

Pizza Novin

[Leicester City]

[BacheLot]

https://www.sportingnews.com/ca/socc...kjjo4ror04jecq

[Keshwardoost]

https://www.sportingnews.com/ca/socc...kjjo4ror04jecq

That is good preps for the group. They will get a hang of Wales and a bit of our flow aswell if they get a grip on Japan.
Even though Japan plays different, they still have a asian organization in the way they play. its like a mix of eurpean and asian style that has developed during the years. They sort of remind me about switzerland and in a smaller way, wales.. idk exaclty why but for me they resemble in the way the team is built around solid players and team tactics. same goes for their strengths and profiled players. Its hard to find a team realy similar to our TM, specially after coach change. So Japan is good for wales.

if I was them, id add a game Korea aswell, they play different but in the same sort of flow and have similar week spots in theyr buldups. aka there is in many ways, similar holes to penetrate on attackplay, turnovers and counters as our team to practice on..
We should try and get 1-2 friendlies with Uzbek for wales game or european teams like Poland/Montenegro/Sweden etc that play defence and attack as a team with sort of even quality spread in the roster with profiled striker. (senegal is a good test aswel in that way but we need a european tempo version aswell.

for Us game, uruguay works,

for england, idk italy, uruguay, germany/Croatia and Hungary aswel if the pick was free and we hade time and possibility to arrange this games.

[Medzdidz]

Potential that Kalvin Phillips may miss the World Cup as he may need a survey on his shoulder. Only played 14 minutes for Man City since his move. Potential replacement for his starting position is Bellingham I think, Henderson struggles to finish a game for Liverpool and is not the player he was a few seasons ago with injuries taking their toll.