Player performances
Moharrami:
terrible passing early in the game on a great attacking chance.
Completely sleeping at min 14 which almost resulted in a goal for Iraq, because he had his back against his opponent. Amateur defending there (even though it was offside which is irrelevant because he got outplayed and it would've counted if Iraq timed the run and pass better).
At min 56 he made a real mess and caused a counter attack for Iraq.
At min 60:40, he made a real mess offensively on his first touch.
It was obvious that Hardani needed to get subbed in. Perhaps Skočić is biased here because Moharrami plays for Dinamo Zagreb. Hopefully he saw his flaws but simply wanted him to get game time to regain his form.
Noorafkan:
amazing vision and pass for the first goal. He makes things happen because he has an offensive-minded mentality.
However, after Moharrami's bad defending, he did a terrible job clearing the ball from that attack and almost cost us a penalty. Yes it was offside but the defending was their best effort in a live situation.
Also, at the 20th min mark he heads the ball backwards into the penalty box when he is trying to clear it forward.
I must add that his first touch in general is very sloppy.
At min 75:30 he almost cost us a penalty once more with an amateur piece of defending.
Nourollahi:
the best for last.
Watch min 26:35 of the game and you will all see why Nourollahi isn't good. He even sees the open run of Noorafkan, but decides not to cross it to him because he doesn't believe in his own ability and accuracy. He doesn't have the confidence to play the pass.
At min 31:30 he made a great run and pass to Azmoun. We get one glimpse of hope, just to get reminded why he is a burden to the team when he goes on at min 57:35 and crosses a ball to no one. The ball was for Noorafkan but he couldn't understand that Noorafkan isn't committing to the run.
To confirm his lack of game IQ and slow thinking, watch his slow brain at min 68:30. It takes him a whole second to wake up and process that he needs to run back and defend on a dangerous counter. He stood still for a second; just watching the counter develop. Then he retrieves the ball because of Iraq’s poor cross, but he goes on to cross it right into an Iraqi player in front of him.
And don't get me started on his ballerina pose while recovering the ball which could've resulted in a handball in the penalty box. Thankfully we have a Suarez-Cavani like offense in Taremi and Azmoun which resulted in a goal out of nothing.
Nourollahi goes on to do the same thing at min 72:40 where his brain needs to process the situation for a second. He stands still then chases the ball holder instead of covering his man who was open. Thankfully Noorafkan saved our asses.
At min 79:25 his poor first touch gives an opportunity for Iraq to punish us.
By the way, remember how you guys said that Iraq only had one shot on target this game? Guess who caused it.. The legend himself; Nourollahi. At min 88 he blindly switches off and jogs towards the ball which leaves his man unmarked for a shot on goal. Just seconds later he completely Hajsafis the ball.
His vision and decision-making is poor for him to play for the national team. He lacks game IQ and he doesn't read situations well. He can't read plays to prevent them. He just lives in the moment and sometimes in the past, when his brain often lags behind.
Why Iran won
We did not outplay Iraq by any means. We actually played horribly. We won because of individual brilliancy (Taremi, Azmoun, Noorafkan pass, Kanaani initiative, Shoja heading, etc).
Taremis goal was world class because of his- and Azmouns talents. You can’t rely on such goals every game.
You need a game plan with midfielders who can play intelligently and create. We had terrible build up plays. We need a different midfield. Just remove the goal moments from the game and you will clearly see how bad we played.
Free kicks
Even our free kicks were bad. Jahanbakhsh should lose his captaincy just for his ego of taking a free kick ahead of Ghoddos.
Jahanbakhsh was already playing sloppy at this point because we know he isn’t fit for 90 mins, but he still takes the free kick which shows that he isn’t objective in the sole purpose of doing what's best for the team which is letting Ghoddos take it.
Skočić's decisions
I stand corrected from my post-match analysis from the Syria game. Nourollahi should never play again at this point.
Skočić doesn't seem bright to me. How do you watch this game as the head coach and yet wait until min 87 to make subs?
I had Gholizadeh in my starting eleven for this game and he scored within a couple minutes of being on the pitch. He needs to play as a CAM.
Some people feel like Ghayedi should start ahead of Gholizadeh, but Ghayedi is a power sub because when legs are tired he will run circles around them. You need strong options on the bench. Gholizadeh however will give us intelligent passes from the middle of the pitch if he gets to play as a CAM.
The CM situation
The CM situation is getting ridiculous and we don't have much time. We need to replace Nourollahi and Amiri. We called up Niknafs, Y.Salmani and Karimi. Either give them a shot or someone else but no more of Nourollahi. Amiri can be a sub.
Let's fix the issues and dominate the next two games. Very exciting games next month.
Moharrami:
terrible passing early in the game on a great attacking chance.
Completely sleeping at min 14 which almost resulted in a goal for Iraq, because he had his back against his opponent. Amateur defending there (even though it was offside which is irrelevant because he got outplayed and it would've counted if Iraq timed the run and pass better).
At min 56 he made a real mess and caused a counter attack for Iraq.
At min 60:40, he made a real mess offensively on his first touch.
It was obvious that Hardani needed to get subbed in. Perhaps Skočić is biased here because Moharrami plays for Dinamo Zagreb. Hopefully he saw his flaws but simply wanted him to get game time to regain his form.
Noorafkan:
amazing vision and pass for the first goal. He makes things happen because he has an offensive-minded mentality.
However, after Moharrami's bad defending, he did a terrible job clearing the ball from that attack and almost cost us a penalty. Yes it was offside but the defending was their best effort in a live situation.
Also, at the 20th min mark he heads the ball backwards into the penalty box when he is trying to clear it forward.
I must add that his first touch in general is very sloppy.
At min 75:30 he almost cost us a penalty once more with an amateur piece of defending.
Nourollahi:
the best for last.
Watch min 26:35 of the game and you will all see why Nourollahi isn't good. He even sees the open run of Noorafkan, but decides not to cross it to him because he doesn't believe in his own ability and accuracy. He doesn't have the confidence to play the pass.
At min 31:30 he made a great run and pass to Azmoun. We get one glimpse of hope, just to get reminded why he is a burden to the team when he goes on at min 57:35 and crosses a ball to no one. The ball was for Noorafkan but he couldn't understand that Noorafkan isn't committing to the run.
To confirm his lack of game IQ and slow thinking, watch his slow brain at min 68:30. It takes him a whole second to wake up and process that he needs to run back and defend on a dangerous counter. He stood still for a second; just watching the counter develop. Then he retrieves the ball because of Iraq’s poor cross, but he goes on to cross it right into an Iraqi player in front of him.
And don't get me started on his ballerina pose while recovering the ball which could've resulted in a handball in the penalty box. Thankfully we have a Suarez-Cavani like offense in Taremi and Azmoun which resulted in a goal out of nothing.
Nourollahi goes on to do the same thing at min 72:40 where his brain needs to process the situation for a second. He stands still then chases the ball holder instead of covering his man who was open. Thankfully Noorafkan saved our asses.
At min 79:25 his poor first touch gives an opportunity for Iraq to punish us.
By the way, remember how you guys said that Iraq only had one shot on target this game? Guess who caused it.. The legend himself; Nourollahi. At min 88 he blindly switches off and jogs towards the ball which leaves his man unmarked for a shot on goal. Just seconds later he completely Hajsafis the ball.
His vision and decision-making is poor for him to play for the national team. He lacks game IQ and he doesn't read situations well. He can't read plays to prevent them. He just lives in the moment and sometimes in the past, when his brain often lags behind.
Why Iran won
We did not outplay Iraq by any means. We actually played horribly. We won because of individual brilliancy (Taremi, Azmoun, Noorafkan pass, Kanaani initiative, Shoja heading, etc).
Taremis goal was world class because of his- and Azmouns talents. You can’t rely on such goals every game.
You need a game plan with midfielders who can play intelligently and create. We had terrible build up plays. We need a different midfield. Just remove the goal moments from the game and you will clearly see how bad we played.
Free kicks
Even our free kicks were bad. Jahanbakhsh should lose his captaincy just for his ego of taking a free kick ahead of Ghoddos.
Jahanbakhsh was already playing sloppy at this point because we know he isn’t fit for 90 mins, but he still takes the free kick which shows that he isn’t objective in the sole purpose of doing what's best for the team which is letting Ghoddos take it.
Skočić's decisions
I stand corrected from my post-match analysis from the Syria game. Nourollahi should never play again at this point.
Skočić doesn't seem bright to me. How do you watch this game as the head coach and yet wait until min 87 to make subs?
I had Gholizadeh in my starting eleven for this game and he scored within a couple minutes of being on the pitch. He needs to play as a CAM.
Some people feel like Ghayedi should start ahead of Gholizadeh, but Ghayedi is a power sub because when legs are tired he will run circles around them. You need strong options on the bench. Gholizadeh however will give us intelligent passes from the middle of the pitch if he gets to play as a CAM.
The CM situation
The CM situation is getting ridiculous and we don't have much time. We need to replace Nourollahi and Amiri. We called up Niknafs, Y.Salmani and Karimi. Either give them a shot or someone else but no more of Nourollahi. Amiri can be a sub.
Let's fix the issues and dominate the next two games. Very exciting games next month.
Comment