Iran’s Journey to Russia… The Reds Leave Team-Melli Fans Red-Faced

Persianfootball.com – Team Melli barely managed to scrape a point from its World Cup qualifier against 102nd ranked Oman in the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Muscat on Thursday, but stay atop of Group D by virtue of goal difference with half of all matches played.

Oman started the match confidently and nearly took the lead with just 40 seconds on the clock, while a period of sustained pressure starting in the 7th minute pinned Team Melli down in its own half for nearly five minutes.

It was Al-Ahmar again in the 25th minute that came close to scoring, with Imad Al Hosni’s shot missing by mere inches after half of Iran’s defense had gone to the ground to stop the advance of Qasim Said. Oman had the only other chance of the first half forcing a save from Haghighi.

The Reds finally took the lead in the 52nd minute through Saad Al Mukhaini with a goal that was nearly identical to Iraq’s first goal against Team Melli in the Asian Cup and a mirror play of Turkmenistan’s goal 4 months ago – suggesting Team Melli’s weaknesses are being exploited to the fullest.

But as with all Team Mellis of the past, when tactics have failed zeal has kicked in and a minute later Andranik Teymourian finally registered Iran’s first shot on target – albeit a mishit that did not trouble Oman’s keeper, Ali Al Habsi. And less than a minute later Azmoun saw his header go over the crossbar.

Oman were able to withstand the short burst of pressure and Iran were lucky not to be down by two goals when Eid Al Farsi missed an easy shot from inside the 6 yard box in the 67th minute, after the Reds had cut through the Iranian defense with some beautiful tiki-taka football.

That move gave the zealous Iranians another burst of energy. A short pass from Ashkan Dejagah to Ehsan Hajsafi from a free kick two minutes later caught Oman’s defense off-guard and Jalal Hosseini was able to convert Hajsafi’s low cross into a goal from two yards out, after mishitting it the first time.

That was Team Melli’s only real chance of the match and the fans were relieved to see Qasim Said waste another golden opportunity in the 86th minute and Mohamed Al-Maasharis’ injury-time rocket from 30 yards out a few inches outside the upright.

According to the match commentary many Omani media outlets had published manifestos on how to neutralize and get the better of Iran’s tactics. That predictability may be the the culprit in Team Melli having dropped 4 points in this campaign, making it the second worst on record at the half way point of the first group stage.

With this result Carlos Queiroz also becomes the only Team Melli manager not to have defeated Oman in two consecutive matches, although he still holds the record for Iran’s longest unbeaten streak against Asian opposition in regulation time.

Coincidentally, that impressive streak started after a loss to Oman in Muscat, so as the fans get ready for a friendly against the Blue Samurai at the iconic Azadi stadium on October 13th, they hope that another bad result against Oman will turn into another good omen for Iran.

PFDC Player Ratings*

Jalal Hosseini: 6.4
Vahid Amiri: 5.6
Sardar Azmoun: 4.9
Pejman Montazaeri: 4.8
Ehsan Hajsafi: 4.6
Omid Ebrahimi: 4.6
Alireza Haghighi: 4.1
Ashkan Dejagah: 3.9
Vouria Ghafouri: 3.7
Mehdi Taremi: 3.7
Andranik Teymourian: 3.7

*Note: Average ratings for each player from the PFDC community (1-10).