Ali Daei class act message to Nekonam

[Bi-honar]

Can't be wishing for Nekounam to retire given the alternatives currently. If he was keeping good players out and we were just playing him because of his stature and leadership maybe but he's still miles ahead of the likes of Ebrahimi and what-not which is worrying. When he goes, he'll take a hell of a lot of our strength with him.

IMHO Pouraliganji is the most likely candidate as Nekou's replacement as a DM. CQ just tried him out in defense in the Iraq game to see how he distributes the ball from the back and since Ghafouri is not naturally a central player.

I don't know how long Sadeghi will stay on for, but we'll likely see Montazeri move into central defense for the next couple of years (after Sadeghi leaves). That would explain why CQ has picked so many players for right defense in this tournament. It's tough to throw inexperienced players into central defense.

[Martin-Reza]

Daei shireh.

[Z Joon]

Can't be wishing for Nekounam to retire given the alternatives currently. If he was keeping good players out and we were just playing him because of his stature and leadership maybe but he's still miles ahead of the likes of Ebrahimi and what-not which is worrying. When he goes, he'll take a hell of a lot of our strength with him.

Nowadays defensively Ebrahimi can do the job as good, if not better than Nekounam. However what we will be missing and is so special about Javad is his offensive instinct (even at his age), which is much higher than an average center mid.

[sarbaz]

Jahandoost aziz

I can only rely on facts and their past history

[sarbaz]

Wow for the first time in my 43 years of life I can honestly say our TM has the highest spirits and very very optimistic for our chances to go to the AC finals
Friendship and sportsman ship is the keys of our boys success

[Taz]

Can't be wishing for Nekounam to retire given the alternatives currently. If he was keeping good players out and we were just playing him because of his stature and leadership maybe but he's still miles ahead of the likes of Ebrahimi and what-not which is worrying. When he goes, he'll take a hell of a lot of our strength with him.

[Bi-honar]

And this is what Nekou said in response: "Even with 200 caps, I still won't be Daei"

پاسخ جواد نکونام به نامه حمایتی دایی:با ۲۰۰ بازی ملی هم علی دایی نمی شوم

daei shire

[Abtin]

As long as an Iranian keeps the goal record, I'm glad.

[jahandoost]

Yes it is a class act
Now we see the difference between a fighter Ali Daie and a quitter like Ali Karimi

Its not as simple as that my friend to make one legend into a fighter and label another as a quitter.

[K. Nader]

I'm not a big fan of Daei's personality and the hypocrisy he often displays in his actions. However, I will give him credit where it's due: he's always been supportive of the national team, the players, and the coach. In occasions like the World Cup and the Asian Cup, he makes an effort to rally people behind the team rather than pull them down (i.e. Ghalenoei).

As for Nekounam, he will officially be the record holder if he plays 5 more matches. This means Iran will have to get to the Semi-Finals. If Nekounam does plan on retiring (which I reckon he will), I'm sure the Sweden match will be a 'goodbye' of sorts for him and potentially some others. I hope the members who are attending that match have a great time.

[sarbaz]

Yes it is a class act

Now we see the difference between a fighter Ali Daie and a quitter like Ali Karimi

[jahandoost]

I know im being pessimistic but are you sure Daei wasn't being sarcastic or the news report isn't BS?

Hard to believe he would say such things, unfortunately...

[ShiroKhorshid]

But anyways most probably Nekou will pass Daei during this AC, i just hope he really retires. He will turn 35 this year and is no option for the next WC. Time for young players. We slowly should also find replacements for Ando, Hosseini, Sadeghi, ..

[ShiroKhorshid]

That was Nekous 145th cap? Daei has 149..