CQ eventually signed the contract [photos]

[O-ZoNe]

We have enough quality players to get us at least to the semis of Asia. This excuse making machine will be rolling out trash like rubbishing our players and everything just to provide a backdoor for CQ. Quite silly and nonsensical.

Nailed it! Don't forget, guys like Khalatbari and Azmoun are likely not even going to make the lineup if CQ's WC squad was any indication. We certainly have enough talent being left at home beyond the squad, but of course, CQ love is in the air.

Again, how we do in this AC will determine CQ's final grade until 2018 for me. If we are not top 4, I believe he should be terminated...because in 2018, not only will Australia, Japan, S. Korea be ready, but expect bigger pushes from Uzbekistan, Jordan, UAE, Qatar, Oman, and even KSA.

[Abtin]

^ I believe Khalatbari will be a part of our AC squad.

[O-ZoNe]

^ I believe Khalatbari will be a part of our AC squad.

Doubt it, but time will tell.

[PersianPrins]

4 years of the same? Our WC went beyond expatiation, all expected us to get raped by all 3 teams. It is not CQ fault that the IFF are bunch of monkeys, the I.R is still ruling Iran and the corruption and lack of infrastructure in iranian football. Our players went to Arab leagues to get money, instead of playing in Europe. Be realistic guys..Australia, South Korea & Japan have way better players than Iran.

[O-ZoNe]

We have enough quality players to get us at least to the semis of Asia. This excuse making machine will be rolling out trash like rubbishing our players and everything just to provide a backdoor for CQ. Quite silly and nonsensical.

BTW, I have read mixed stuff in supposed CQ interviews about the signing. On some sites, they are reporting him saying that he expects Iran to win a medal in AC...others make no mention of this. I am hoping he expects Iran to medal in AC...as I feel even he realizes a lot hinges on TM's AC performance.

[K. Nader]

BTW, I have read mixed stuff in supposed CQ interviews about the signing. On some sites, they are reporting him saying that he expects Iran to win a medal in AC...others make no mention of this. I am hoping he expects Iran to medal in AC...as I feel even he realizes a lot hinges on TM's AC performance.

Actually, I hope he says nothing about the expected results. I remember during the beginning of the WCQ, a reporter asked him who is going to be the most difficult team in the group (stage 3) and he responded, "Indonesia, because they're the next match."

We need to take it one step at a time and not get ahead of ourselves. Ghalenoei, Daei, and Ghotbi would frequently promise certain results but would never deliver. Coming into press conferences and making such statements is just downright stupid and unproductive.

[Frank Ocean]

CQ's contact extension is the best news in iranian football I've heard in a while. I think he is fully capable of pulling an upset AC championship!

[Camran khan]

^I wouldn't call it pulling an upset.. We are Iran, not Qatar or Jordan... We are among the top 4 title contenders.. But having him as our head coach sure increases our chances of winning!

[eerooni]

Its purely my opinion, but Im getting the feeling CQ might chose ALI DAEI as his assistant!!! I might be mistaken, but it could be true!

[rugs]

Re: CQ eventually signed the contract [photos]

Actually, I hope he says nothing about the expected results. I remember during the beginning of the WCQ, a reporter asked him who is going to be the most difficult team in the group (stage 3) and he responded, "Indonesia, because they're the next match."

We need to take it one step at a time and not get ahead of ourselves. Ghalenoei, Daei, and Ghotbi would frequently promise certain results but would never deliver. Coming into press conferences and making such statements is just downright stupid and unproductive.

You mean like this....

[O-ZoNe]

Actually, I hope he says nothing about the expected results. I remember during the beginning of the WCQ, a reporter asked him who is going to be the most difficult team in the group (stage 3) and he responded, "Indonesia, because they're the next match."

We need to take it one step at a time and not get ahead of ourselves. Ghalenoei, Daei, and Ghotbi would frequently promise certain results but would never deliver. Coming into press conferences and making such statements is just downright stupid and unproductive.

I would not want him to guarantee stuff, because well Ciro still hasn't hung himself and others have also made many false promises. But if he says he expects a medal, that means he plans to work for one, and will put that emphasis on the players. This would show where his mindset is with respect to AC. I would be more concerned if he said, "I could care less about an AC medal" or "this tournament is just a warmup for bigger things"...My big issue with CQ is where is his mindset and how much does he believe in the talent we have. I am not saying he has to accept what we have, but does he feel as a coach he can get the maximum potential out of our players in service of TM?

[Kiarash]

I would not want him to guarantee stuff, because well Ciro still hasn't hung himself and others have also made many false promises. But if he says he expects a medal, that means he plans to work for one, and will put that emphasis on the players. This would show where his mindset is with respect to AC. I would be more concerned if he said, "I could care less about an AC medal" or "this tournament is just a warmup for bigger things"...My big issue with CQ is where is his mindset and how much does he believe in the talent we have. I am not saying he has to accept what we have, but does he feel as a coach he can get the maximum potential out of our players in service of TM?

I think this game showed CQ's trust and tactics when applied correctly, what a performance..

[Abtin]

^ Amen to that!

[Siavash]

I think this game showed CQ's trust and tactics when applied correctly, what a performance..

Yes I was astonished when CQ did not use this tactic against Bosnia. I assumed he was under pressure by media to be more aggressive which it did not pay off. I remember Bosnia coach was advocating against CQ tactic vs Argentina hoping CQ will abandon it. And CQ did and Bosnian happy.

[O-ZoNe]

Re: CQ eventually signed the contract [photos]

I think this game showed CQ's trust and tactics when applied correctly, what a performance..

I am reminded of a movie quote...

It doesn't matter if you win by an inch or a mile winning's winning.~ Fast and Furious

In the end in football it doesn't matter if you lose by 1 or a million...a loss is a loss and you always lose 3 pts. CQ at minimum wanted a point from that match...we didn't get any. Hope AC is a different story because we playes against Argentina, S.Korea, and Nigeria with same tactic...all 3 nations are at different levels.

Here is what I will say. Iran had the lowest possession of all WC teams. We were rated the most boring team to watch (and that was in a losing effort). We did not advance and we scored 1 goal in 3 matches. Now, my question to those who think CQ's tactics worked...what other WC 2014 nation with a comparable record to our WC record re-hired or extended their coach? What other set of fans, and media, praised their teams performance and were "satisfied" with 2 losses and a draw (with no attack at all) losses? Only in Iran could CQ get an extension. Only in Iran did we praise 1 pt from 3 matches, including a weak display and subsequent loss against a knocked out Bosnia.

If we want to progress, we have to elevate our expectations, and be willing to have an honest discussion if we fail to meet those expectations. 4 WC, and things have not gotten better. Any reasonable person can tell you 2018 won't be any different. Almost 40 years since we won AC...does anyone expect differently in 2015? Face it guys, if we the fans, the media, the team, the coaching staff, don't ask and demand more...who is going to do it on our behalf? CQ will eventually leave, but what will we have for a legacy? That 1-0 loss to Argentina? The same way we have the 1-1 draw with Scotland, the 2-2 in Melbourne, and the 2-1 win vs. USA...does anyone else remember those games but Iran fans? If we want the hardware, our team in the history books...we need to demand more, expect more, and be accountable when we fail to deliver.