Player Ratings vs New Zealand (1–5 Stars)
2.5 – Alireza Beiranvand
He gave us confidence by acting as a reliable outlet at the back, always willing to receive the ball under pressure. However, he did not make any decisive saves.
2.4 – Shoja Khalilzadeh
A solid and experienced performance overall. He should have stayed closer to Chris Wood and not allowed him to control the ball as if he were playing in the park.
2.0 – Ali Nemati
He struggled defensively throughout the match, although he could have become the hero with his goal on the end of first half which was unfortunately ruled out for offside.
4.5 – Ramin Rezaeian
Clearly our best player that day. A constant threat going forward, aggressive, confident, and always looking up. He scored a goal and provided an assist, fully deserving all the praise he receives by the foreign media.
1.8 – Milad Mohammadi
He constantly played the ball backwards due to a lack of confidence. Defensively, he was equally poor. He is a very complete player physically but not even that he provided.
2.4 – Saeid Ezatolahi
The most complete player in our national team. He remains extremely important to us, but this was not one of his better performances, even though his commitment and work rate were evident throughout.
2.5 – Saman Ghoddos
Very comfortable on the ball. He played an excellent role in both goals, contributing to the attacking moves with quality and composure. However, he should have put more pressure on Chris Wood for the first goal; he lacked intensity in that moment when we needed.
1.8 – Aria Yousefi
Incredible energy and clear potential. However, he was far too individualistic, and that ended up hurting the team.
2.5 – Mohammad Mohebi
The type of player every coach loves: tall, strong, fast, and hardworking. He showed great composure and scored an excellent header. However, he carelessly lost unnecessary the ball possession in the build-up to New Zealand's second goal.
2.3 – Shahriyar Moghanlou
I understand his inclusion in the starting XI as a way of maintaining the traditional Iran setup we became familiar with under Carlos Queiroz, effectively playing the Azmoun role alongside Taremi. However, his limitations were clear, particularly his lack of pace to threaten balls played in behind. He did nice job defensively actually.
2.6 – Mehdi Taremi
Our best player until fatigue set in. His movement and intelligence off the ball helped initiate attacks, and he accelerated the tempo whenever necessary. He deserved a goal, but unfortunately offered nothing to us at the second half.
Substitutes
4.0 – Mehdi Ghaeydi
Clearly our most talented player. He caused so many problems that New Zealand felt compelled to replace Tim Payne with Callan Elliot. His confidence on the ball makes defenders nervous.
1.5 – Ali Alipour
A mobile and quick striker who is usually ready to press aggressively. Unfortunately, he failed to use any of those qualities and had a very poor impact after coming on.
1.5 – Ehsan Hajsafi
He aadded nothing. Despite his experience, he looked well below his best level.
2.5 – Amir Hosseinzadeh
He should have been introduced earlier. He brought energy to the match and helped initiate attacks.
Manager
2.3 – Amir Ghalenoei
I understand the decision to start Moghanlou in order to maintain a physical front duo, but Mohebi would have performed that role better. Ghalenoei deserves credit for comeback twice. However, the tactical organisation was very poor and one of the worst of this first World Cup week. Unbelievable how he is leaving our most talented player, Mehdi Ghaeydi, on the bench from the start.
Team
2.4 – Iran
We should have won this match. It was an entertaining attacking game, largely because New Zealand allowed it to be. Once they sensed they had a chance of claiming a historic three points, they became more adventurous, which gave us opportunities to attack against fewer players behind the ball. It was an open and enjoyable match for any neutral to watch. Ultimately, we looked like a team blessed with some serious individual quality but lacking collective organisation.
2.5 – Alireza Beiranvand
He gave us confidence by acting as a reliable outlet at the back, always willing to receive the ball under pressure. However, he did not make any decisive saves.
2.4 – Shoja Khalilzadeh
A solid and experienced performance overall. He should have stayed closer to Chris Wood and not allowed him to control the ball as if he were playing in the park.
2.0 – Ali Nemati
He struggled defensively throughout the match, although he could have become the hero with his goal on the end of first half which was unfortunately ruled out for offside.
4.5 – Ramin Rezaeian
Clearly our best player that day. A constant threat going forward, aggressive, confident, and always looking up. He scored a goal and provided an assist, fully deserving all the praise he receives by the foreign media.
1.8 – Milad Mohammadi
He constantly played the ball backwards due to a lack of confidence. Defensively, he was equally poor. He is a very complete player physically but not even that he provided.
2.4 – Saeid Ezatolahi
The most complete player in our national team. He remains extremely important to us, but this was not one of his better performances, even though his commitment and work rate were evident throughout.
2.5 – Saman Ghoddos
Very comfortable on the ball. He played an excellent role in both goals, contributing to the attacking moves with quality and composure. However, he should have put more pressure on Chris Wood for the first goal; he lacked intensity in that moment when we needed.
1.8 – Aria Yousefi
Incredible energy and clear potential. However, he was far too individualistic, and that ended up hurting the team.
2.5 – Mohammad Mohebi
The type of player every coach loves: tall, strong, fast, and hardworking. He showed great composure and scored an excellent header. However, he carelessly lost unnecessary the ball possession in the build-up to New Zealand's second goal.
2.3 – Shahriyar Moghanlou
I understand his inclusion in the starting XI as a way of maintaining the traditional Iran setup we became familiar with under Carlos Queiroz, effectively playing the Azmoun role alongside Taremi. However, his limitations were clear, particularly his lack of pace to threaten balls played in behind. He did nice job defensively actually.
2.6 – Mehdi Taremi
Our best player until fatigue set in. His movement and intelligence off the ball helped initiate attacks, and he accelerated the tempo whenever necessary. He deserved a goal, but unfortunately offered nothing to us at the second half.
Substitutes
4.0 – Mehdi Ghaeydi
Clearly our most talented player. He caused so many problems that New Zealand felt compelled to replace Tim Payne with Callan Elliot. His confidence on the ball makes defenders nervous.
1.5 – Ali Alipour
A mobile and quick striker who is usually ready to press aggressively. Unfortunately, he failed to use any of those qualities and had a very poor impact after coming on.
1.5 – Ehsan Hajsafi
He aadded nothing. Despite his experience, he looked well below his best level.
2.5 – Amir Hosseinzadeh
He should have been introduced earlier. He brought energy to the match and helped initiate attacks.
Manager
2.3 – Amir Ghalenoei
I understand the decision to start Moghanlou in order to maintain a physical front duo, but Mohebi would have performed that role better. Ghalenoei deserves credit for comeback twice. However, the tactical organisation was very poor and one of the worst of this first World Cup week. Unbelievable how he is leaving our most talented player, Mehdi Ghaeydi, on the bench from the start.
Team
2.4 – Iran
We should have won this match. It was an entertaining attacking game, largely because New Zealand allowed it to be. Once they sensed they had a chance of claiming a historic three points, they became more adventurous, which gave us opportunities to attack against fewer players behind the ball. It was an open and enjoyable match for any neutral to watch. Ultimately, we looked like a team blessed with some serious individual quality but lacking collective organisation.
Comment