23 Man Squad for World Cup

[BacheLot]

I sincerely hope its Khanzadeh.

from pure football pedigree, he is our worst player currently going to Russia...! But the defensive cover shortage created by questionable Vouria & SJH cuts, gives him much positional security, hence doubtful he’ll get cut ..!?
Unless his cut would be part of a multiple player shuffle & swaps...! Which I suppose could be likely depending on how things evolve in the next two friendlies & the fact that CQ has a stand-buy list too ..!


I sure as shit hope we don’t take along any unfit to perform players along this time around, no matter who it is ..! That’d piss me off to no end & im certain other players who narrowly missed the trip to Russia.

[OzzyOscy]

It's clear from my boring research that Carlos Queiroz has used all the friendlies to decide on outside players. So if you play in most of the friendlies, that's not a good sign. It means he isn't sure about you. And he's been ruthless.

You have to show you can provide something different and play in his system or you're going to have to wait until next campaign, when he's going to be managing elsewhere or on holiday anyway. He doesn't have time to be one of the early steps of a player's development, because he's likely not staying, and if he is it's probably just for a year. He needs someone who shows they can make an impact now.

Rezaei hasn't played since 2015 and has played 6 of the 7 friendlies. He first played 90 minutes on the left. He then came on as a sub striker getting 20 - 45 minutes each time. Meaning Carlos wasn't impressed with him on the left. Since he's not going to start, Carlos tried him out as an impact sub striker. Evidently again he didn't impress only scoring 1, against Sierra Leone.

Compare this to other strikers.

Azmoun is on the plane and in form internationally now. Most people have him starting.

Ansarifad started up front against Togo and got 2 goals. He then started against Panama in the same position and got an assist. After that, he hasn't needed to play the full 90 and just been experimented in other positions and roles. He is on the plane too as #2.

Gucci hasn't done any better than Razaei, but I think the position was Razaei's to take rather than Gucci's to lose. Carlos knows Gucci better and he's integrated in his team, Razaei needed to show he's simply better than Gucci right now, not potentially better. He needed a few goals.

Ghoddos is probably the only new striker who can go to Russia without having to play amazingly in friendlies, just using them to be blooded in. His campaign in the Europa League and the issue of trust after he switched national team for Carlos means I would think (and hope) he is being given a chance, though mainly as a right-winger.

The starting line-up against Turkey is going to tell everyone the players who might get cut if there's no injuries. I wouldn't bet against one more big name omission.

[teammelli91]

I am surprised about Kaveh. But I’m not complaining.

This is a message to all Iranian players who think just because they play abroad they get an automatic spot in Team Melli. As time passes by, more and more domestic Iranian players will move to Europe which will only benefit our national team. It will increase the competition in Team Melli, the players will be so focused on doing well that they won’t realize how dominating they’ll become in Asia.

However, I’m still very much surprised with Kaveh not making the squad because he has improved a lot. But then again Carlos knows more and in Carlos I trust.

[DR Strangemoosh]

aybe Kaveh wouldn't be particularly happy to be a bench player.

Really, really unlikely. He's both a well-grounded person and he has also never been anywhere near the first-choice forward for Iran so being a bench player would have been great for him.

All of us are speculating here of course, both on what CQ thinks, what Kaveh thinks etc...

[shahname]

CQ is smokin' some good shit. How could you look over Kaveh Rezaei and invite Shojaei (older player) or not inviting Haghighi, Danial Davari???

Shojaei plays another position than Kaveh so there is no comparison. Besides, Shojaei has the experience of playing two worldcups and have played several seasons in La Liga. And we all know, one of our opponents is Spain. The experience and the confidence he can transfer to our pretty young squad is invaluable!!! You can read his interview in Iran-varzeshi today and then you know what I am talking about.

[GolfePersique]

CQ is smokin' some good shit. How could you look over Kaveh Rezaei and invite Shojaei (older player) or not inviting Haghighi, Danial Davari???

I think CQ is smoking the same shit that qualified us back to back.

It is indeed a shame that Kaveh did not get rewarded despite his excellent season, but we need to move on and respect the coach opinion.

[greenguy4life]

I really dont agree with this. If you have 15-20 minutes id rather put in Kaveh. His work rate is so high. As seen this season, many of his goals have been from pressuring and forcing the team to make the opposition defense make a mistake. Id rather have that over someone who doesnt have half the work rate and cant force errrors.

You might be right. But also would Kaveh have been happy with being on the bench? I can guarantee Ghoochannejhad is perfectly happy with it. Queiroz has probably also looked at the mental side and thought maybe Kaveh wouldn't be particularly happy to be a bench player.

[JamB]

Let's he honest, Kaveh was never going to start. The only way he was going to get playing time was off the bench in the last 10-20 minutes. There's only one player who is most effective in that time of a match, Ghoochannejhad. Of course he had a brilliant season, but Queiroz was looking more at the players themselves than the stats.

I really dont agree with this. If you have 15-20 minutes id rather put in Kaveh. His work rate is so high. As seen this season, many of his goals have been from pressuring and forcing the team to make the opposition defense make a mistake. Id rather have that over someone who doesnt have half the work rate and cant force errrors.

[greenguy4life]

CQ is smokin' some good shit. How could you look over Kaveh Rezaei and invite Shojaei (older player) or not inviting Haghighi, Danial Davari???

Let's he honest, Kaveh was never going to start. The only way he was going to get playing time was off the bench in the last 10-20 minutes. There's only one player who is most effective in that time of a match, Ghoochannejhad. Of course he had a brilliant season, but Queiroz was looking more at the players themselves than the stats.

[naderb94]

CQ is smokin' some good shit. How could you look over Kaveh Rezaei and invite Shojaei (older player) or not inviting Haghighi, Danial Davari???

I think I rather have Hamed Lak or Sosha Makani in TM before Davari

[AryaGod]

What r u smoking LOL

[JamB]

CQ is smokin' some good shit. How could you look over Kaveh Rezaei and invite Shojaei (older player) or not inviting Haghighi, Danial Davari???

Daniel Davari? Bro come on lol

[Ghormeh Sabzi]

CQ is smokin' some good shit. How could you look over Kaveh Rezaei and invite Shojaei (older player) or not inviting Haghighi, Danial Davari???

[the-ali]

As it is apparent some honorable Gentleman didn't make the list and instead new honorable Gentlemen will join the esteemed squad of the nation's team.

I have full trust in His Excelleny The Honorable Mr. Carlos Manuel Brito Leal Queiroz's final selection and supported his immaculate decisions placably!

[the-ali]

https://youtu.be/n0ehZeWGXW0