CQ eventually signed the contract [photos]

[Kiarash]

As weak as our squad is it's still superior to Qatar, UAE, Bahrain and Iraq's squad. If we loose in group stage or in QF to Iraq it will be probably the worst result in our football in recent times.

Well they did have a decent preparation while we havent played a single match after the World Cup, this plays a part too. But I agree that this time the road to the semi's is probably one of the easiest ones since we will avoid South Korea / Japan and Australia at least till the semi's. Still, I don't remember us beating Jordan or Iraq easily.

Question remains if this team has determination to lift the trophy, seeing most of our key players aiming for Arab money.

[Abtin]

^ And still, this team will have a huge lack of prep and friendlies, nothing seems to be certain yet.

[O-ZoNe]

Well they did have a decent preparation while we havent played a single match after the World Cup, this plays a part too. But I agree that this time the road to the semi's is probably one of the easiest ones since we will avoid South Korea / Japan and Australia at least till the semi's. Still, I don't remember us beating Jordan or Iraq easily.

Question remains if this team has determination to lift the trophy, seeing most of our key players aiming for Arab money.

Those are excuses. If Qatar loses to us, then we will praise CQ as a genius but if we lose, it's lack of preparation. Fact is none of those countries played in the WC. None have as many European based players as us, or players with European experience. On any day, I would take Brazil over Paraguay regardless of the conditions, and it should be the same with Iran and these Persian Gulf nations.

[Z Joon]

Those are excuses. If Qatar loses to us, then we will praise CQ as a genius but if we lose, it's lack of preparation. Fact is none of those countries played in the WC. None have as many European based players as us, or players with European experience. On any day, I would take Brazil over Paraguay regardless of the conditions, and it should be the same with Iran and these Persian Gulf nations.

Spot on. Anything less than SF = Major failure = Change coach and fresh new start for TM with new mentality and players, at least for me.

[Kiarash]

Those are excuses. If Qatar loses to us, then we will praise CQ as a genius but if we lose, it's lack of preparation. Fact is none of those countries played in the WC. None have as many European based players as us, or players with European experience. On any day, I would take Brazil over Paraguay regardless of the conditions, and it should be the same with Iran and these Persian Gulf nations.

These are not excuses, these are pretty much facts. Why players and in particular Iranian ones go for Arab money at such young age (26,28)? Because they simply lack ambition. Such things won't help them through major tournaments such as Asian Cup, how can this be excuses? Ghoochannejhad's move to Al-Kuwait alone showed that he has zero ambition. FFS, he had a good World Cup and scored a goal..then he joins some semi-professional league! CQ can't be blamed for this and I have already said that.

And about the preparation part, when did we have a friendly game then?

[rugs]

I'm surprised you are all OK with a semi final appearance. We are facing possibly the weakest Japan and Korean teams we have ever faced. I expect no less than a final appearance.

[Z Joon]

I'm surprised you are all OK with a semi final appearance. We are facing possibly the weakest Japan and Korean teams we have ever faced. I expect no less than a final appearance.

Also right. But we are speaking of the strict minimum by saying SF. I can't imagine keeping our coach with a loss to Iraq or a group stage exit.

[persiangodfather]

if we get out of group stage I will be happy

and a big LOL if you think anyone other then Australia or Japan will win this

[Z Joon]

if we get out of group stage I will be happy

I admit I am also happy when I finish the dishes.

[Camran khan]

I admit I am also happy when I finish the dishes.

[O-ZoNe]

These are not excuses, these are pretty much facts. Why players and in particular Iranian ones go for Arab money at such young age (26,28)? Because they simply lack ambition. Such things won't help them through major tournaments such as Asian Cup, how can this be excuses? Ghoochannejhad's move to Al-Kuwait alone showed that he has zero ambition. FFS, he had a good World Cup and scored a goal..then he joins some semi-professional league! CQ can't be blamed for this and I have already said that.
And about the preparation part, when did we have a friendly game then?

Gucci + Europe + Kuwait > Kuwaiti Player + Kuwait + No Europe...would you say that is fair logic?
Likewise Dejagah + Europe + Qatar > Qatari player + Qatar + No Europe

We think because Gucci and Dejagah went to Arab leagues, they have all of a sudden over night forgotten their European professionalism? Of course, I don't expect them to be Ronaldo or Messi but we are talking about Qatar, a team that can only make the WC by buying it!

Plus, we have Neku, Ansarifard, Haghighi, Davari, Azmoun, ARJ in Europe...in our history have we really had this many players in Europe? If you add Gucci, Ando, Dejagah, Shojaie...that's 10 players with European experience! What Persian Gulf nation could compete with that in their history let alone a single lineup?

This is Iran's AC to perform...if we can't keep up with the other big Asian countries, then CQ has no place being TM coach. If everything he did that was so wonderful in terms of training, professionalism, and discipline disappears after 2 months then he really didn't do much for our football and players did he?

[Kiarash]

Gucci + Europe + Kuwait > Kuwaiti Player + Kuwaiti + No Europe...would you say that is fair logic?
Likewise Dejagah + Europe + Qatar > Qatari player + Qatar + No Europe
We think because Gucci and Dejagah went to Arab leagues, they have all of a sudden over night forgotten their European professionalism? Of course, I don't expect them to be Ronaldo or Messi but we are talking about Qatar, a team that can only make the WC by buying it!
Plus, we had Neku, Ansarifard, Haghighi, Davari, Azmoun, ARJ in Europe...in our history have we really had this many players in Europe? If you add Gucci, Ando, Dejagah, Shojaie...that's 10 players with European experience! What Persian Gulf nation could compete with that in their history let alone a single lineup? This is Iran's AC to perform...if we can't keep up the other big Asian countries, then CQ has no place being TM coach. If everything he did that was so wonderful in terms of training, professionalism, and discipline disappears after 2 months then he really didn't do much for our football and players did he?

No, but they will lose form in Qatar and Kuwait.

The quantity of European based players is indeed higher nowadays, but the quality is still lower. Back then we had at least 2 fixed La Liga players, now our best player appears to be in the Segunda Division.

[Clockwork]

if we get out of group stage I will be happy

and a big LOL if you think anyone other then Australia or Japan will win this

Japan is the best team of Asia and they really let me down in the world cup. On the other hand Australia is not a good team(only decent) and their only good player is Tim Cahill (34 years old). Sure they gave the Netherlands a run for their money, but we did the same for Argentina. Its very possible Australia does not make it out of their group.
That means Iran is definitely one of the top teams in the entire tournament (along with S.Korea and Uzbekistan) but nobody should be cocky because recent history has shown tough opposition from the Arabic speaking countries.

[Siavash]

Here is the video of CQ signing the contract.

[ali alipour]

the performance iran had against thailand and lebanon in the last two acq games wants me to think that iran is above most asian level but when I see that most of our players are now playing in 2nd division of europe and arab leagues it makes me think we're going to have trouble in the group stage. Even with trouble I think first place in the group should be highly achievable with CQ. With the path given and avoiding South Korea in the quarters, a semi final appearance should be the at least what should be considered succesful