Iran vs UAE post match ratings

[Leicester City]

Unpopular opinions I have: I thought Nourollahi had a really good game today and I want to see Hajsafi start over Noorafkan (Iranian Guendouzi) vs South Korea due to his experience.

[Kavian]

There were those who performed a little better than others in the team today, but individual ratings don't really tell the story of what happened today. I think, the team, overall was not together and lacked a clear game plan.

Our defense had a few lapses, Thank you VAR!!, midfield wasn't really engaged in building attacks, it sat back a lot and was happy playing the width, our wings were slow, lost possession often and couldn't really deliver healthy balls. Our strikers lacked sharpness and didn't appear to have that eye of the tiger for putting the ball past the goal line. Sardar's confidence level has been low during the past two games. The penalty he took, could have been the boost he needed, but with the miss, his goal drought depression for TM will continue. I doubt if he is going to be fit for Korea game. Coach needs to seriously think about whether he wants to start him off. Taremi had his usual share of misses but I have to say he has been saving TM ass 4 games in the row. As for the coaching staff, they were definitely outperformed by the Dutch guy. The UAE couch had a well thought-out game plan. He just didn't have the arsenal to execute better. This will not be the case with Korea.

The better performers: Kanani, Ezat and Gholi
The not so good performers: Moharrami, Noorafkan, Amiri, ARJ, and Azmoun

[Iran_19]

I think we need him to have less offensive responsibility. I agree with you, energy, pressing, interceptions high up the field are his strength. Lets do something that allows him to show his strengths and minimize his weakness. His weakness objectively is football IQ, pass selection, beating press, controlling tempo. Ghoddos gives you all those 3 things and you can make equation easy for Ahmad, do your running and dirty work, make simple 5-10 yard passes to saeid or to ghoddos.

and you have to see since he is paired with Saeid, Saeid also play better, during Wilmots time, he had to cover more field, and that is not his game. They make a good duo, Nour can sometime push attack, and when team need more defense they can add Sarlak, Ali Karimi(when healthy), etc

[inarsenewetrust]

Yes he’s really developed a lot and it all makes sense now why Carlos would play him so often, and why he’s dominating in Portugal. The fact that him and Azmoun work well together is such a blessing too

He has improved in all categories. Physically he is enormous now, our best player physically. Endurance is insane. He really maximized physical potential in portugal.

His finishing ofc cannot be compared to before. He misses max 1 big chance and makes sure to score the next.

But most surprising, his dribbling! His footwork is so good for somebody so lanky/awkward, and he can do it at high pace. This is something that I think really comes from confidence he achieved in porto specifically.

[Philosophy_King]

In all honesty Taremi is a Level above all the other players, since he is in TM he creates incredible amount of chances. We lacked such a player for decades.

[inarsenewetrust]

His role in TM is different than Persepolis. He doesn't usually have the green light to play close to the box, he did it for only few min today, but he is more focussed on defensive duties, and interception. Sure, he play closer to the box than Saeid, because he has more offense in him.

I think we need him to have less offensive responsibility. I agree with you, energy, pressing, interceptions high up the field are his strength. Lets do something that allows him to show his strengths and minimize his weakness. His weakness objectively is football IQ, pass selection, beating press, controlling tempo. Ghoddos gives you all those 3 things and you can make equation easy for Ahmad, do your running and dirty work, make simple 5-10 yard passes to saeid or to ghoddos.

I know this means leave out amiri some games, imo that is not a knock on amiri. He is still TMs A4 so to speak, can use him in many different scenarios. In fact I dont mind him to start at LB vs SK. But we shouldnt sacrifice teams ability to create for the two star men just to include amiri and nourollahi. Technically and in terms of ball retention, pass selection that combo is just too weak.

[Iran_19]

Amiri will start vs SK, there is no way he is benched. He will go with almost the same line up, probably Hajsafi instead of Norafkan, other than that i don't see him making other changes

[mahestan]

Beiranvand - 7.
Moharrami - 8
Kanani - 6
Shoja - 6
Noorafkan - 5
Ezatolahi - 9.
Nourollahi - 5
Amiri - 5
ARJ - 3
Taremi - 7
Azmoun -6
Hajsafi -6
Gholizadeh - 7
Sarlak - 5
Skokic - 2. No idea what fans see in him. Horrible performance again reliance on individuals. Someone explain what the actual tactics are? Why is no Ghoddos in this XI? too many question new manager needed for WC2022

Dude what is your beef with Skocic. We are top of the table, no goals conceded and on a 10 game winning streak. Do you understand Iran is under extreme international pressure, sanctioned to insane economic thresholds, and no big name coach will be stupid enough to deal with the headaches that comes with IFF. We should thank our lucky stars we've come this far with Skocic and he is getting us results. On top of that, what a great image IFF would set by sacking a coach who is actually getting results?

[Karimi 8]

Just came here to say how lucky we are to have Taremi. I saw him defending half the game. This guy's work rate is absolutely insane. He's actually third in distance covered in the Champion's league so far as a true striker. That shouldn't even be fathomable. What a brilliant player. IMO the best and most completely player we've ever had.

Yes he’s really developed a lot and it all makes sense now why Carlos would play him so often, and why he’s dominating in Portugal. The fact that him and Azmoun work well together is such a blessing too

[Iran_19]

Iran_19 Jan, it’s the offensive side that gets fans frustrated. He had a really poor touch today and his passes were going nowhere. He’s a physically strong player and good defensively but because of the position he plays his offensive mistakes are seen quickly and often.

His role in TM is different than Persepolis. He doesn't usually have the green light to play close to the box, he did it for only few min today, but he is more focussed on defensive duties, and interception. Sure, he play closer to the box than Saeid, because he has more offense in him.