March 29, 2024
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Persianfootball.com – TEHRAN, With only a few weeks left to the start of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, we take a look at the options, Iran boss Carlos Queiroz has for his final 23-men squad. We begin with the central striker position, were Iran have their only true luxury problem.

In Iran’s 4-2-3-1, sometimes 4-3-3, formation, there is only one true striker position. Although a few of the alternative can be used in different positions, such as wingers or in the central position behind the lone attacker, their main strength lies in being the lone man upfront. Additionally, the squad will include a couple of players who could also be used as „false 9s“, thus at least one tough decision to leave a quality striker at home is looming. But let’s look at the available options.

The gem – Sardar Azmoun

Iran hasn’t seen a sparkling talent like Sardar Azmoun taking on the national team jersey since a then internationally unknown Ali Karimi raised many eyebrows in the 1998 Asian Games football tournament. Although being extremely different in terms of playing style, position and strengths, the two share a God-given talent and an enfant-terrible image.

Azmoun’s scoring record for the senior and national team is amazing, his record in Russia not so. Beside his already 23 goals ins 31 national team games, he previously scored unbelievable 30 goals in 29 games for Iran’s u-17, u-19 and u-23 selections. His not that impressive scoring record at club level might be attributed to the fact that he usually is part of mid-ranked very defensive minded teams of his mentor Berdiyev and at least this season probably a little bit of defiance due to Rubin Kazan having blocked his move to Lazio in summer.

Looking at his skill-set, the 23-year-old brings almost everything a great striker needs – speed, technique, tactical cleverness, amazing strength in the air and a big portion of gut and shrewdness. Weakpoints are his improved but not yet Premier League worthy fitness and physique, but also there he has made progress and certainly will be shaped as much as possible by the mighty Carlos Queiroz in the coming weeks.

If in form, Azmoun will get past any defence and as a result his goals at the World Cup and a big European move afterwards.

The versatile finisher – Karim Ansarifard

Long time seen as the biggest Iranian striker talent and logical successor of Ali Daei, Ansarifard’s unsuccessful stint at Osasuna made many believe he was just an over-hyped player, like many before him. But all of them underestimated his will to succeed. His successive move to Panionios turned out to be a great choice, and after one and a half impressive seasons, giants Olympiacos acquired him. After tough first months, with a few glimpses of what would come afterwards, Ansarifard turned out to be one of the few positive surprises at Olympiacos this year, scoring 17 goals and being close to becoming the league’s top scorer, with one game in hand.

Being robbed of the chance to play in the Champions League by Olympiacos’ previous coach, Ansarifard didn’t score a lot of stunning beauties this season, but many true number 9 tap-ins and one-on-ones, reminding a bit of the late Ali Daei now. But exactly this skillset might be bitterly needed in the dying minutes of one or the other World Cup game. With the height of 6 ft 1 (1.86 m) he is the tallest option among the strikers, thus critically needed in the box for set-pieces on either side of the field.

Interestingly, the 28-year-old has proven quite a useful player on the left an right wing in Team Melli, also grabbing a few important assists, a fact that undoubtedly increases his chances to participate and play at the upcoming event.

The cold-blooded veteran – Reza Ghoochannejhad

Few fans would have believed in 2014 that Ghoochannejhad would not be the starting striker of Team Melli for the next World Cup anymore, after he finally debuted for Iran in 2012 and had an unbelievable scoring run in World Cup and Asian Cup qualifiers throughout 2013. „Gucci“ almost single-handedly shot Iran to the 2014 World Cup, in a situation barely anyone would have believed it, and continued his good form in the national team through 2014, also scoring Iran’s only goal at the World Cup finals in Brazil.

But his often poor club choices since 2013 and the rise of Sardar Azmoun cost the meanwhile 30-year-old his starting position by 2016, before he re-emerged after the return to Heerenveen, the club he had started his professional career at, becoming the Netherland’s second best goalscorer with 19 goals in the league, adding a few more in Cup and playoffs in 2016/17.

However, the current season has been tougher for him, still he managed eight league and one Cup goal so far, making it a mediocre season. This, however, might be enough to cost him his World Cup slot, considering the great form of Rezaei and Ansarifard.

But Ghoochannejhad brings in a few things, the other don’t. Barely any other Iranian striker has proven to be so cool-headed even in the most heated games and most crucial situations, and his vast experience has only added to that. In the face of elimination or after big misses, barely any other player has ever shown the mental stability and comeback quality Ghoochannejhad has. This, paired with his good anticipation, might still make him one of the best weapons Iran could bring to the FIFA World Cup.

The shooting star – Kaveh Rezaei

Also Kaveh Rezaei’s career has been marked by ups and downs so far. Being labelled as one of Iran’s future stars at young age already after scoring regularly for Iran’s u-17 and u-20 teams before 2010, he struggled to get his professional club career going, mostly being a substitute and only scoring a handful of goals for different Iranian teams. By 2013 most had written him off, but his five goals in only three games at the AFC u-22 Championship reminded many of his talent.

Nevertheless his club career continued to be far from impressive, until he suddenly got picked up by Iranian giants Esteghlal in 2016. He managed to break into the starting lineup and despite only scoring seven goals in 28 appearances, his effort for the team was highly appreciated, and his eight assists even more.

Still it was very surprising for most that he signed a contract with Belgian top flight club Charleroi a year later and even more surprising what happened next. Not only did the now 26-year-old quickly establish himself as first-choice striker, also did he score 15 goals in 36 league and play-off appearances since then, adding six assists to them.

Immediately becoming one of the shooting stars in Belgium in his first seasons abroad, he logically was called up to the national team and finally managed to score his debut goal this year.

Beside his good goal scoring record in Belgium this year, his ability to help in the build-up and his good eye for his teammates are the main assets he brings to the table. If his good form will bring him to the World Cup or if it came slightly too late, will be seen in a few weeks.

The domestic top-scorer – Ali Alipour

While everyone was following the impressive displays of the European strikers, a new talent emerged within Iran. Already signed by giants Persepolis as teenager in 2015, Ali Alipour quickly got regular playing time at the club, but only scored a handful of goals per seasons and was always in the shadow of Mehdi Taremi, who was the club’s undisputed star and top striker. This changed when Taremi was banned for a few months due to his strange transfer saga with Rizespor, and Alipour stepped up to quickly fill the gap. His great performances even triggered Persepolis to sell Taremi to Qatar, despite FIFA having imposed a transfer ban on them until the end of 2018.

Alipour continued to shine, scoring 19 league, one Cup and and four AFC Champions League goal, helping his team to the domestic league title, winning their Champions League group and becoming the league’s top-scorer in the process.

Of course fans and media quickly demanded Alipour to be invited to the national team, but in the face of the many great options upfront, despite his national debut this year quickly understood that Alipour’s World Cup chances lie in the future, rather than in the presence.

Having seen the progress of the quadruple which have successfully moved to Europe already, the 23-year-old might well follow their footsteps during the next years.

Upshot

Queiroz will probably opt for at least three true central strikers, knowing that at least Karim Ansarifard is an option for another position as well. With Taremi, Ghoddos and Jahanbakhsh, all suitable to overtake the central striker position in emergency as well, making the squad as wingers anyhow, one out of Azmoun, Ansarifard, Ghoochannejhad and Rezaei probably won’t make the list. Ali Alipour’s chances are almost zero, shouldn’t injury strike two or rather three of the other options.

With Azmoun being the most outstanding striker in terms of skills and Team Melli scoring record, he can be sure of his World Cup ticket and most likely also of the starting striker position against Morocco. His, however, low stamina, will make a sub on this position almost certain in every match.

Being on the verge of becoming the top-scorer of the Greek league with Olympiacos, Ansarifard is the logical back-up for Azmoun. Besides his height and strength in the air, which makes him important for the likely scenarios of needing late goals at World Cup but also might be an important factor in defending set-pieces, he also has frequently been used as winger or supporting striker. Ansarifard can also already postpone his vacation plans until after the World Cup.

The third position will be up between Rezaei and Ghoochannejhad. A better season and more height and speed might speak for Rezaei, but „Gucci“ is ahead in overall scoring record and experience. Knowing Queiroz’s preference for the latter factor and considering the positive relaxed character of the Heerenveen target man, it’s all but unlikely he will get the nod in what will be one of the most controversial decision about the Iranian World Cup roster.

Should Queiroz decide that two real and two false number 9s are sufficient in a group with the 2010 World Cup and the 2016 European champions, both could find themselves watching the World Cup on TV though.