Asian Cup 07 : Teams review - IRAN

[maij]

By Andy Withers
FOXSPORTS.com.au

IRAN proved to be one of the biggest disappointments of the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany, failing dismally to match its stated aim of qualifying for the knockout stages.
The disappointment was compounded by the flashes of quality produced, particularly in the first game against Mexico, which suggested that Iran could indeed compete at the highest level.

But the reality for Iran was that a number of its players were untried at the top level, lacking experience, with World Cup coach Branko Ivankovic saying his squad in Germany was more one for the future as it included young players who were "very gifted, have bags of potential and are the future of Iranian football”.

The youngsters have clearly been improved by the experience, producing good subsequent form that saw the side reclaim Asia’s No.1 ranking from Australia last year, and the future may yet arrive in the 2007 given that Iran was untroubled in qualifying from Group C – topping the group undefeated after claiming four points of six against Korea Republic.

Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei has ensured the team plays rather more as a unit than being reliant on individuals, but he has a number of quality individuals to rely upon - including former Bayern Munich star Ali Karimi, highly rated Bolton Wanderers midfield player Andrianik Teymourian, Livorno defender Rahmen Razaei, defender Hossein Kaebi, Eintracht Frankfurt midfield player Mehdi Mahdavikia and Hannover striker Vahid Hashemian – and it would be foolhardy in the extreme to suggest that Iran will not be improving on its recent record in the Asian Cup.

The recent 4-0 defeat by Mexico was disappointing at face value, but Iran was lacking Hashemian, Karimi, Rezaei, Teymourian and Mahdavikia as well as players from the country's leading clubs, Persepolis and Sepahan.

FIFA ranking (June 2007): 47
Asia ranking (June 2007): 2
Qualifying record: P6 W4 D2 L0 F12 A2 14pts; top Group B
Asian Cup record: Champion 1968, 1972, 1976; Third place 1980, 1988, 1996, 2004; Fourth place 1984; Quarter-finals 2000; Group stage 1992
Coach: Amir Ghalenoei
Star man: Hossein Kaebi

Iran Cup Squad
Vahid Taleblou, Mehi Rahmati, Mohamad Nosrati, Rahman Rezaei, Seyed Jalal Hosseini, Hadi Aghili, Amir Hossein Saeghi, Hadi Shakouri, Freydun Zandi, Alireza Nikbakht Vahedi, Satar Zareh, Mehdi Mahdavikia, Hossein Kaebi, Javad Kazemian, Morteza Asadi, Ebrahim Sadeghi, Iman Mobali, Javad Nekounam, Andranik Teymourian, Mohamad Nouri, Masoud Shojaei, Maziar Zareh, Hossein Badamaki, Kianoush Rahmati, Ali Karimi, Vahid Hashemian, Reza Enayati, Rasoul Khatibi, Mehdi Rajabzadeh

[hadi_ak]

Star player Hossein Kaebi LOL

I think after the group stages we have the hardest road to the finals out of the new Hexagon of Asian football (Iran, Australia, S.Korea, Japan and KSA)
That’s why I think we should take advantage of the Malaysia game to give rest to some key players and experience to some younger ones which may be used later on in the tournament. The likes of Shojaei, Sadeghi, Noori… can get rid of the fear of playing in a big stage like the Asian Cup.

This year I think it is extremely important to win the Asian cup not because of the cup but because of the chance it presents to our nation to play in the Confederations Cup. A stage which can be used for our country to show peace it stars and for our players to play against some of the biggest teams in the world. I think the Japanese and the Koreans have benefited from playing against the top sides in the world and the confederations cup can provide a kind of forced duty that could benefit our nation a year before the world cup.

[arash123]

star man kaabi? lol he isnt even going to start it seems like

[benreyhani15]

lol they didnt even mention nekounam

[maij]

THE Iranian Football Federation turned to local coach Amir Ghalenoei following the inability of Branko Ivankovic to fully harness the potential of
the Iran national team at the FIFA World Cup finals in Germany last summer.

Fresh from his domestic success with Esteghlal, who he guided to the Iran Pro League title at the end of the 2005/06 season, Ghalenoei was charged with rejuvenating a demoralised squad and qualifying for the finals of the AFC Asian Cup.

Ghalenoei started his coaching career with Esteghlal Ahvaz in 2002 before joining Esteghlal 12 months later, guiding the Tehran club to second place in the league in his first season in charge. One year later the club finished third in the Iran Pro League before finally winning the title in Ghalenoei’s third and final year at the helm.

The 42-year-old (he will celebrate his 43rd birthday two days after the AFC Asian Cup kicks
off) has had to reinvigorate a squad that picked up only one point in Germany despite travelling to
the finals with high hopes of progressing to the knockout phase.
He has overseen the job of replacing veteran performers such as the legendary Ali Daei and central defender Yahya Gomohammadi, and the Iranians were unbeaten in the five qualifying matches played under the former striker.

Draws with Korea Republic and Syria saw the Ghalenoei era start off slowly, but a run of three wins in a row – including a 2-0 victory over the Koreans in Tehran on the final day of qualifying – highlight how well the new coach has adapted to working in the international arena.

[Ghormeh Sabzi]

thanks!! i wonder if GN b-day would also help us to win!