Player ratings Iran - Morocco

[marouane]

just watched it again, agree with most of my original ratings. Except, I rated Sardar a 5 or 6, looking back he was more like a 7. Very dangerous, good link up, missed that one chance but didnt get a ton of service. Amiri, Beiranvand, Hajsafi, Cheshmi, Ebrahimi were the best though, really hard to pick a MOTM.

Ansarifard was good aerially and without the ball, but not with the ball, although didnt have a lot of opportunities. But, the way he pinched in was key to shutting down moroccan midfield, and this is why he played the entire match.

Also, very clear why hajsafi was LB instead of milad. In the stadium the only reason I could come up with was milad isnt that great when being pressed, while hajsafi is excellent on the ball for our standards. Im pretty sure this is why, hajsafi was very calm and handled moroccan high press excellently. He was dictating tempo of match from LB!

bravo, while for a neutral I could see how this was a boring performance, if you look closely we were tactically fantastic. After first 20 minutes, morocco had ONE CHANCE in the entire match. We closed their midfield so well, amiri was man marking belhanda, Azmoun was on defensive mid El Ahmadi, and the wingers and spare men would pressure boussofa. The moroccan players were very frustrated and it showed throughout the match, and in the late lapse in concentration. Amiri and Ebrahimi in the midfield were AWESOME.

I think taremi is our ace for portugal match. His physique, and the fact that portugal do not have top midfielders, means that we dont need him to pinch in as much, and he can find space in between lines and combine with sardar. I think ghoddos will play vs Spain, his play style is really suited for that match. So many options, its great!

Another observation, to those saying we didnt go for it at the end, THIS WASNT THE PLAN. With ebrahimis injury CQ's masterplan at the end got screwed, and he couldnt make the last sub he wanted (Dejagah possibly) to give us the final push. The offensive guys, legionairres, did not execute in this match. That is the reality, not the fault of coach or tactics. ARJ, Sardar, Karim were bright but needed to be mroe synchronized and clinical

LASTLY, cheshmi got a lot of hate from me included, and all unfairly. We were mad that Jalal was out and we found a scapegoat. Cheshmi was fantastic, great on the ball, a beast in the tackle, some crucial blocks, including two that denied goals. WOW.

Beira was so confident and cool, this guy made it from NOTHING. Where are the doubters now ???!?!?!? I have to say, I kept faith with this guy.
Again, cant split MOTM between Ebrahimi, Cheshmi, Beiranvand, and Amiri- ALL NON LEGIONAIRES.

1 chance in the entire game , are you crazy man?, look this competition is still not finished... we will see, as for us i think we will finish this group stage at maximum 1 points

[Camran khan]

Perhaps a bit off-topic, but I just have to say how much I love Hajsafi, easily one of my favorite TM players.

At his age, the number of caps, his experience, his composure on the ball, his versality, his passing, shooting, crossing, his technical ability and how great he is in the midfield..

Even the Swedish commentators were praising him saying he is a key player for Iran before the game, Simply an amazing guy!

[Babak agha]

Beiranvand - (8) Hadn't much to do, was good on the cornerkicks and was there the only time he was needed, which is all what matters.

Rezaeian - (7) Had a good game, one shaky moment in the beginning but thankfully nothing happened. He should stop the rolling tho, we can also waste time without rolling like that.
Chesmi - (7) Shaky moment in the beginning of the and a unnecessary hellow card. Nobody dribbled past him this time, but things might be different against the next two opponents. Curious to see if he'll start the next game.
Pouraliganji - (7) His usual self. I can't remember a sooti from him in any game and today was no different.
Hajsafi - (6) He had an ok game with a beautiful freekick/cross. His other freekick from 30 m was both harder and more accurate than JB's. But please can stop shooting on goal from 30m and just cross it in? We are actually quite decent on set pieces, so please just cross from there.

Ebrahimi - (7) He again showed that he could be a great replacement for Ezzatollahi. I don't think he will be starting the next matches tho, as I hope/think we will go back to Haksafi and Ezzi in the middle.
Shojaei - (3) Bad turnovers, as usual. Stupid yellow card that could've been a red card if he was unlucky, as usual. Now even slower than ever. I'm being extra hard on him as he really could've screwed us over not only with his shot passing after a good dribble, but with that really unnecessary card that could've been a red one if we were unlucky. We really need Dejagah (if fit) here!!
Ansarifard - (4) Didn't do too much on the attack and wasted that good opportunity. Seems to also struggle with running at that pace and controlling the ball. But we can't be too harsh on him as he is not a RM or RW. I don't see why Ghoddoos is not playing there, seems as fit and for sure isn't as high profile enough to think he should not defend.

Amiri - (6) Was played too hustle and did exactly that, nothing more and nothing less.
Jahanbakhsh - (5) Nothing special from him, hope plays his best games in the next two matches.
Azmoun - (5) Had some good link ups, but wasted his chance to score. I really hope he scores in the next two matches. What I've always noticed and what he still hasn't improved is the fact that he can't run at full speed with the ball and dribble. He always loses control on the ball even without somebody pressuring him. Still I think our most talented player. If JB and Hajsafi start crossing some balls in the 16, he could be lethal.

Taremi - (6) Was quite decent, less turnovers when he came in instead of Shojaei, but nothing special. I'm pretty sure Amiri will also get the notch over him against Spain as we already have our 3pts and Amiri could out hustle those 'lil' Spaniards.
Hosseini Didn't see much of him
Ghoddoos Really smart to go for the freekick there instead of the ball.

I don't think we're going to change the line-up much against Spain. I only see Ezzi playing instead of Ebrahimi. Shojaei is CQ's captian and I'm quite positive that he will start over Dejagah and Ghoddoos again and at this point I would also would keep Amiri there instead of Taremi. I would like to see Mimo back as ou LB and Hajsafi as our CM, but I doubt it's going to happen.

[inarsenewetrust]

just watched it again, agree with most of my original ratings. Except, I rated Sardar a 5 or 6, looking back he was more like a 7. Very dangerous, good link up, missed that one chance but didnt get a ton of service. Amiri, Beiranvand, Hajsafi, Cheshmi, Ebrahimi were the best though, really hard to pick a MOTM.

Ansarifard was good aerially and without the ball, but not with the ball, although didnt have a lot of opportunities. But, the way he pinched in was key to shutting down moroccan midfield, and this is why he played the entire match.

Also, very clear why hajsafi was LB instead of milad. In the stadium the only reason I could come up with was milad isnt that great when being pressed, while hajsafi is excellent on the ball for our standards. Im pretty sure this is why, hajsafi was very calm and handled moroccan high press excellently. He was dictating tempo of match from LB!

bravo, while for a neutral I could see how this was a boring performance, if you look closely we were tactically fantastic. After first 20 minutes, morocco had ONE CHANCE in the entire match. We closed their midfield so well, amiri was man marking belhanda, Azmoun was on defensive mid El Ahmadi, and the wingers and spare men would pressure boussofa. The moroccan players were very frustrated and it showed throughout the match, and in the late lapse in concentration. Amiri and Ebrahimi in the midfield were AWESOME.

I think taremi is our ace for portugal match. His physique, and the fact that portugal do not have top midfielders, means that we dont need him to pinch in as much, and he can find space in between lines and combine with sardar. I think ghoddos will play vs Spain, his play style is really suited for that match. So many options, its great!

Another observation, to those saying we didnt go for it at the end, THIS WASNT THE PLAN. With ebrahimis injury CQ's masterplan at the end got screwed, and he couldnt make the last sub he wanted (Dejagah possibly) to give us the final push. The offensive guys, legionairres, did not execute in this match. That is the reality, not the fault of coach or tactics. ARJ, Sardar, Karim were bright but needed to be mroe synchronized and clinical

LASTLY, cheshmi got a lot of hate from me included, and all unfairly. We were mad that Jalal was out and we found a scapegoat. Cheshmi was fantastic, great on the ball, a beast in the tackle, some crucial blocks, including two that denied goals. WOW.

Beira was so confident and cool, this guy made it from NOTHING. Where are the doubters now ???!?!?!? I have to say, I kept faith with this guy.
Again, cant split MOTM between Ebrahimi, Cheshmi, Beiranvand, and Amiri- ALL NON LEGIONAIRES.

[Martin-Reza]

It's never a good idea to rate players after having watched an exciting game live. Re-watch it more relaxed and the rating will be much more accurate.

[inarsenewetrust]

I'm happy we got three points. i dont care at the end of the day. i think we could've been better but i dont know why they are so stressed esp those that play abroad like azmoun. we need re-energize for our second match and defend and focus and go counter attack.

you are disgraceful.

[mahestan]

Beiranvand 10 : has to be a 10. Stopped everything and made no mistake.
Rezaeian 7
Cheshmi 8 : shocked by his performance. I don't remember him making any mistakes.
Pouraliganji 8: solid as usual
Hajsafi 9: probably one of our best players today.
Ebrahimi 8 : great defensively if not pretty invisible.
Shojaei 5: another yellow, giving the ball away on multiple occasions. Probably explains why CQ took him off.
Ansarifard 8: was one of the TOP runners on the team today.
Amiri 7: kind of invisible.
Jahanbakhsh 6: also invisible but I don't blame him, the ball didn't get to him much!
Azmoun 7: some nice touches


Hosseini 8: great for the few minutes he played
Ghoddos 7
Taremi 8: great for the few minutes as well

Amiri kind of invisible? He is the one who sent the through ball for Azmoun. His thick skull is the reason why Nordin Amrabat got knocked out.

BTW, while Azmoun had some nice touches, dear members did you forget that his blunder in the first 15 minutes could've ended up in a disaster for us? Bless his heart for coming back to defend, but he did not clear the ball for the life of him.

[ABalls]

Beiranvand 7 - great saves, a few scrambles and a shaky punch
Rezaeian 7 - love the attitude, good on D and moving up
Cheshmi 6.5 - ditto here! Few silly fouls in the 1st half tho
Pouraliganji 7 - held it down playing on the end
Hajsafi 6 - had a tough task in the 3-4-3 tracking back a lot more for defense. Struggled at first with some very weak challenges.
Ebrahimi 7.5 - great tackling, great strength in challenges, great passing! What a gem. Thankful he stepped up in such a crucial way today. MVP candidate today.
Shojaei 4 - bad fouls, bad work in transition, not in sync with the team in attack, lost possession a bunch of times. Only positives was helped to organize and in defense.
Ansarifard 6 - left a chance in the table in attack, but much improved in this midfield role that he has struggled with before. Hustle was good.
Amiri 6.5 - incredible hustle, and physical too. Didn't do much on the ball, but was everywhere and helped on defense
Jahanbakhsh 6.5 - same as Amiri really, but showed some skill on the ball and passing
Azmoun 6.5 - is going to score soon. The 1v1 miss was bad. Won a lot of headers.

Hosseini NA - smart to get him in today
Ghoddos NA - looked comfortable in midfield
Taremi 6.5 - glad he's back, want to get him more involved

[Saam]

Dude we defended against nigeria and argentina most the game bosnia did not.

It was because we only used like 14 players in 3 games. This time CQ is going to use everyone in the squad. We are super deep.

[Saam]

I'm happy we got three points. i dont care at the end of the day. i think we could've been better but i dont know why they are so stressed esp those that play abroad like azmoun. we need re-energize for our second match and defend and focus and go counter attack.

we will see how's gonna whine once the first game is done. obviously you know football better than every one else shithead.

for those who keep saying this is just a friendly, go fys. we are incapable of passing couple simple passes. cheshmi is just a low class defender. we're gonna be raped in russia. lol

shitty play by shitty players. they have no tactics, can't pass, can't hold the balls, very slow. honestly, i have no hope in this team. I think CQ is done.

Just a few snippets of your posts over the past few weeks. Remember when u said “we’ll see who’s gonna whine after the first game shrhead” Is CQ done and the team raped?

[hasan]

you don't think nigeria and argentina kept bosnia busy?

Dude we defended against nigeria and argentina most the game bosnia did not.

[Sam van Dam]

Yes they did but we burnt ourselve out on both the nigeria and argentina matches chasing the ball for majority of the game. It takes more effort and energy to play defense.

you don't think nigeria and argentina kept bosnia busy?

[hasan]

bosnia played two games before our match as well

Yes they did but we burnt ourselve out on both the nigeria and argentina matches chasing the ball for majority of the game. It takes more effort and energy to play defense.

[darvish_gorgali]

I'm happy we got three points. i dont care at the end of the day. i think we could've been better but i dont know why they are so stressed esp those that play abroad like azmoun. we need re-energize for our second match and defend and focus and go counter attack.

[Sam van Dam]

Well that was our last game and the argentina match had taken a lot out of us physically.
Had we been fresh maybe it would have been different.

bosnia played two games before our match as well