Iran's record

[Irandoust]

Many Iranians would be very proud of the team if for example we finish with 4 points but end up in the 3rd place because of the goal differential.

[Irandoust]

In the last 40 years, apart from the Asian games 1990 when we bit South Korea in the semi finals with the late Ghayeghran's goal, and the 2-2 with Australia and the 2-1 win over the U.S, we haven't had any major result that would make us get excited. But as you said, hopefully this time things will go little better for us despite being in the group of death. Pahlevan Tony AKA the sarbaz

[Irandoust]

The team that we have is a pumped up and a good team with lots of energy. Over the next few days, get yourself pumped up as well so you can match their spirit. That's what I ll do

[sarbaz]

My friends
What gives me more hope and pleasure than anything else is the fact that for the first time ever
We have a good United team who everyone loves everyone and you can see it in thier eyes
Even Gholizadeh who is # 24 and May never play a minute, was smilingly happy
I am very much optimistic about our chances this time around.

Irandoust joon dadash ma mokhleseh shomam hastim 😀🙏🇮🇷👌💪✌️

[Martin-Reza]

I've never seen Iran go into a World Cup so humble and realistic before. Our World Cup record should remind us that we are huge underdogs in this big competition and that instead of expecting our team to shine and get great results we should be thankful for getting the opportunity to be part of this, play 3 great matches our opposition cannot cancel over political or financial reasons and hopefully we can manage to show the world that we can play excellent football.

Anything beyond that would be great, but cannot be expected.

[Philosophy_King]

I've never seen Iran go into a World Cup so humble and realistic before. Our World Cup record should remind us that we are huge underdogs in this big competition and that instead of expecting our team to shine and get great results we should be thankful for getting the opportunity to be part of this, play 3 great matches our opposition cannot cancel over political or financial reasons and hopefully we can manage to show the world that we can play excellent football.
Anything beyond that would be great, but cannot be expected.

I agree with you, but just for clarification; what do you mean
with excellent football? Dont concede goals, dominating the otherside
in terms of possession or playing brave attacking football?

[Babak agha]

I agree with you, but just for clarification; what do you mean
with excellent football? Dont concede goals, dominating the otherside
in terms of possession or playing brave attacking football?

Nobody would be impressed if we parked the bus, don't concede goals and end up with 3 draws and a third place.
I doubt Iran would dominate Morocco in terms of possession, highly doubt it would do it against Portugal and am sure it will not do it against Spain.
A lot of people will be impressed if we would play brave attacking football, win against Morocco and give Portugal and Spain a run for their money, eventually ending up third in the group.

So yea let hope for that! However I highly doubt we will play a brave attacking football (not really smart against Portugal and Spain to begin with) and the first scenario seems to be the most plausible (unfortunately).

I would say even expecting excellent football is too much. I just hope Azmoun, JB, Ezzie, MiMo, Ghoddos and Taremi can show their potential, we atleast don't lose to Morocco and play a good game and don't get our asses whooped against Portugal and Spain.

Who knows maybe next time around the above mentioned players have progressed immensely, we would have some new stars and get an 'easy' group this time!

[pres80]

I agree with you, but just for clarification; what do you mean
with excellent football? Dont concede goals, dominating the otherside
in terms of possession or playing brave attacking football?

TM has been playing attacking football for over a year now.
This is a myth that we don't play good attacking football and the transition CQ made over a year ago to an attacking team hasn't been widely acknowledged.

Playing good attacking football does not mean not defending well as well.

[Futbaldoost]

Nobody would be impressed if we parked the bus, don't concede goals and end up with 3 draws and a third place.
I doubt Iran would dominate Morocco in terms of possession, highly doubt it would do it against Portugal and am sure it will not do it against Spain.
A lot of people will be impressed if we would play brave attacking football, win against Morocco and give Portugal and Spain a run for their money, eventually ending up third in the group.
So yea let hope for that! However I highly doubt we will play a brave attacking football (not really smart against Portugal and Spain to begin with) and the first scenario seems to be the most plausible (unfortunately).
I would say even expecting excellent football is too much. I just hope Azmoun, JB, Ezzie, MiMo, Ghoddos and Taremi can show their potential, we atleast don't lose to Morocco and play a good game and don't get our asses whooped against Portugal and Spain.
Who knows maybe next time around the above mentioned players have progressed immensely, we would have some new stars and get an 'easy' group this time!

It will be really exciting if CQ chooses a high possession game plan against Morocco. I agree that it is unlikely yet there is a greater chance CQ will do that against Morocco compared to Spain or Portugal. The reason I say that is his interview after the game against Turkey when he kept talking about how impressed he was with moving the ball forward when Iran had possession. One indication an hour before the match will be if he chooses to start Ashkaan (and/or Samaan). Amir Hashemi Moghadam talks about that in the below clip. He was at the game against Turkey and he thinks CQ will do a high possession game against Morocco because he thinks the Moroccans love the ball. We shall see.

[Irandoust]

Hopefully we can manage to show the world that we can play excellent football indeed. But of course, we won't mind if good results and a knock out stage birth will come as a bonus package

[Irandoust]

There is no question that our approach will be defensive again because that is how the style and the system of Mr Queiroz is. The good news is that Morocco and Portugal have the same approach and in general, do not play with possession football. So against these two opponents, because we will be the underdogs, we'll have the upper hand of playing our usual defensive football making them coming at us with playing a style which they are not used to very well.
Because of our lack of enough friendly games and also because of the fact that we have yet to come back from behind and win a match under Carlos Queiroz, luck has definitely to be on our side.
Things like getting needless yellow or even red cards, giving away free kicks in dangerous areas unless its absolutely necessary and staying on the right side of the match officials will be key factors in creating the momentum of being able to do damages to our opponents in all of our 3 matches. And Yes I do see us earning points against Spain also.

[Irandoust]

Well said, great comments.