Should we have a TM B team again?

[AhuraMazda1]

I had the same thought during the past several years. I thought it would be good to have such a team that could test players in matches against lower ranked FIFA teams, For Example countries that have diplomatic relations with Iran such as Ethiopia, Tanzania, Niger, Sierra Leone, Mozambique, Madagascar, Kenya, Namibia, Cuba, Nicaragua.

Also could play against non-FIFA members such as Zanzibar, Greenland, Mayotte, Reunion, Guadeloupe, French Guiana.

However, last year I realized that due to the busy schedule by FIFA, UEFA, AFC, etc many countries have abandoned their B teams. For Example, Danish League XI football team was their "B" national team and according to wiki their last game was in 2018 or Croatia B & France B national team according to wiki last match was 2001, last matches according to wiki Russia (2012), Iran B team last match was 2007, although had practice team with coach assigned until 2015.

Although some african countries still have B team, for Algeria is called Algeria A which plays friendlies with Palestine and some other Arab teams, most recent matches were in 2023.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algeria_A%27_national_football_team

Actually CAF has a cup which only players from African-based clubs feature for their national teams.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_Nations_Championship

The other major issue is that clubs are reluctant to let players go. Already national teams have encountered such issues because of clubs refusing to let their players go for national team matches.

So realistically Team Omid is our B team. If the rules always state that only 3 over-age players can feature in the match, then just need to rotate the 3 over age players so they get game time and be tested.

Yes its true. Team Omid could be our B team but what about PGL players and players like Alipoor for example. Is Team Omid the place for them?

[Damavand]

All this reminds me of late 1974 to early 1975. Iran had an A Team and B team which were all U23 players. Both teams were coached by Heshmat Mohajerani.. There was a tournament in Iran which included both of our teams along with a few foreign teams such as Soviet Union U23 and a club team from Czechoslovakia.

Iran's A team had defeated Israel in Sep of 1974 to become champions in the Asian Games. Even though it was a very good team there many players that were old. Iran A team played against Soviet Union U23 and lost. Then Iran B team played the Soviets and actually won.

After that very useful tournament Mohajerani completely over hauled the A team by retiring the old players and putting most of the B team players in their place.

That Great young team went on qualify for the 1976 Olympics in Montreal narrowly losing to Poland who were defending champions, and advancing to the quarterfinals.

A year later they also qualified to the 1978 WC for the very first time, in Argentina at a time where Only One team from Asia and Oceania could do so.

Iran was on a great path to becoming a power house when Revolution occurred and flushed everything down the toilet.

[AhuraMazda1]

All this reminds me of late 1974 to early 1975. Iran had an A Team and B team which were all U23 players. Both teams were coached by Heshmat Mohajerani.. There was tournament in Iran which included both of our teams along with a few foreign teams such as Soviet Union U23 and a club team from Czechoslovakia.

Iran's A team had defeated Israel in Sep of 1974 to become champions in the Asian Games. Even though it was a very good team there many players that were old. Iran A team played against Soviet Union U23 and lost. Then Iran B team played the Soviets and actually won.

After that very useful tournament Mohajerani completely over hauled the A team by retiring the old players and putting most of the B team players in their place.

That Great young team went on qualify for the 1976 Olympics in Montreal narrowly losing to Poland who were defending champions, and advancing to the quarterfinals.

A year later they also qualified to the 1978 WC for the very first time, in Argentina at a time where Only One team from Asia and Oceania could do so.

Iran was on a great path to becoming a power house when Revolution occurred and flushed everything down the toilet.

Thanks for the info Damavand jan. Thankfully I think our entire backline will consist of some real fresh talent in the coming months that can build a lasting legacy.

[DR Strangemoosh]

All this reminds me of late 1974 to early 1975. Iran had an A Team and B team which were all U23 players. Both teams were coached by Heshmat Mohajerani.. There was tournament in Iran which included both of our teams along with a few foreign teams such as Soviet Union U23 and a club team from Czechoslovakia.

Iran's A team had defeated Israel in Sep of 1974 to become champions in the Asian Games. Even though it was a very good team there many players that were old. Iran A team played against Soviet Union U23 and lost. Then Iran B team played the Soviets and actually won.

After that very useful tournament Mohajerani completely over hauled the A team by retiring the old players and putting most of the B team players in their place.

That Great young team went on qualify for the 1976 Olympics in Montreal narrowly losing to Poland who were defending champions, and advancing to the quarterfinals.

A year later they also qualified to the 1978 WC for the very first time, in Argentina at a time where Only One team from Asia and Oceania could do so.

Iran was on a great path to becoming a power house when Revolution occurred and flushed everything down the toilet.

The Invincibles team and setup of the seventies would have broken the European-South American hegemony in the eighties. The way the football was developing after three consecutive Asian Cup titles....

Instead we ended up being bossed by Kuwait in 1980 and losing every 80s knockout against the Bonesaw Barbies.