FWC-Iran
Iran:-
“Shirane Iran” fly to their WC camp in Guarulhos with high ambitions and the hopes for success of more than 75 million people riding on their shoulders!
Throughout the AFC WC qualifying campaign, Iran have had the best defense and their goals-scored-to-game ratio (1.875 from 16 games) was only bettered by Japan (2.143 from 14 games). Moreover, Iran’s 0.4375 goals-conceded-to-game (GCG) ratio is only third to England’s and Belgium’s 0.4 among all the teams that qualified (top spot goes to Spain’s 0.3); even though Iran (16 total) played more qualifiers (Spain: 8, England/Belgium: 10).
Now it’s true that the UEFA, CONMEBOL, CAF, and (maybe) even the CONCACAF WC qualifiers are (much) more competitive than the AFC ones; yet their GCG is still a very positive note for Coach Carlos Queiroz’s team heading into the WC.
The whole age issue is a recurring theme among the entire Iranian squad and, while experience is very vital at such international tournaments, the pace and tempo of modern day football is something which coach Queiroz must address in their training drills and tactical lay-out when dealing with their senior players. Their CB-choices’ average age is a staggering 31.25; which might be an issue when facing their group-stage opponents (Argentina, Bosnia and Nigeria) who all have extremely fast attacking players!
Tactics-wise, Iran clearly build their play around a solid back-bone of a defense and they have extremely talented players up front who are very, very comfortable with the ball at their feet and possess a good bit of sheer pace and strength going forward (a fact highlighted by the considerable amount of fouls they receive during matches [16.57 fouls/game from official stats]).
When Iran do have the ball, they like to slowly build their play from the back and most of their attacking players tend to go on mesmerizing runs down either sides of the field, sometimes even forcing their way into the opposition’s box right through the middle of the park. Unleashing lethal shots from distance is another aspect which might worry opposition defenders and goalkeepers when facing Iran.
In terms of running the channels and delivering the ball to their target-man, Iran’s main striker, namely Ghoochannejhad, is a proper prospect in front of goal; but he has not been very prolific over the course of this last season (3 goals/ca. 16 games) and coach Queiroz will certainly be hoping that he will get more out of him during the actual WC campaign.
It is worth mentioning that Iran’s initial squad boasts some very talented young players (the likes of Sardar Azmoun, Jahanbakhsh, Bakhtiar Rahmani & even Karim Ansarifard). So should coach Queiroz name some of them (or all) on the final 23-man squad heading to Brazil, he might be tempted to bring them onto the big stage (as impact substitutes) if, and when, their senior colleagues find it difficult to impose themselves during their games.
Main men (tough call!): Javad Nekounam and Ashkan Dejagah: Nekounam’s wealth of experience, incredible knack for scoring goals (for a midfielder) and amazing technical abilities are of huge importance for Iran. Dejagah’s immense talent, unbelievable pace, amazing technique and explosive nature going forward will be Iran’s most powerful weapon on the flanks; a real jewel who would help them produce some fruitful results!
Odds (average from top 24 betting firms): 1515
“Shirane Iran” fly to their WC camp in Guarulhos with high ambitions and the hopes for success of more than 75 million people riding on their shoulders!
Throughout the AFC WC qualifying campaign, Iran have had the best defense and their goals-scored-to-game ratio (1.875 from 16 games) was only bettered by Japan (2.143 from 14 games). Moreover, Iran’s 0.4375 goals-conceded-to-game (GCG) ratio is only third to England’s and Belgium’s 0.4 among all the teams that qualified (top spot goes to Spain’s 0.3); even though Iran (16 total) played more qualifiers (Spain: 8, England/Belgium: 10).
Now it’s true that the UEFA, CONMEBOL, CAF, and (maybe) even the CONCACAF WC qualifiers are (much) more competitive than the AFC ones; yet their GCG is still a very positive note for Coach Carlos Queiroz’s team heading into the WC.
The whole age issue is a recurring theme among the entire Iranian squad and, while experience is very vital at such international tournaments, the pace and tempo of modern day football is something which coach Queiroz must address in their training drills and tactical lay-out when dealing with their senior players. Their CB-choices’ average age is a staggering 31.25; which might be an issue when facing their group-stage opponents (Argentina, Bosnia and Nigeria) who all have extremely fast attacking players!
Tactics-wise, Iran clearly build their play around a solid back-bone of a defense and they have extremely talented players up front who are very, very comfortable with the ball at their feet and possess a good bit of sheer pace and strength going forward (a fact highlighted by the considerable amount of fouls they receive during matches [16.57 fouls/game from official stats]).
When Iran do have the ball, they like to slowly build their play from the back and most of their attacking players tend to go on mesmerizing runs down either sides of the field, sometimes even forcing their way into the opposition’s box right through the middle of the park. Unleashing lethal shots from distance is another aspect which might worry opposition defenders and goalkeepers when facing Iran.
In terms of running the channels and delivering the ball to their target-man, Iran’s main striker, namely Ghoochannejhad, is a proper prospect in front of goal; but he has not been very prolific over the course of this last season (3 goals/ca. 16 games) and coach Queiroz will certainly be hoping that he will get more out of him during the actual WC campaign.
It is worth mentioning that Iran’s initial squad boasts some very talented young players (the likes of Sardar Azmoun, Jahanbakhsh, Bakhtiar Rahmani & even Karim Ansarifard). So should coach Queiroz name some of them (or all) on the final 23-man squad heading to Brazil, he might be tempted to bring them onto the big stage (as impact substitutes) if, and when, their senior colleagues find it difficult to impose themselves during their games.
Main men (tough call!): Javad Nekounam and Ashkan Dejagah: Nekounam’s wealth of experience, incredible knack for scoring goals (for a midfielder) and amazing technical abilities are of huge importance for Iran. Dejagah’s immense talent, unbelievable pace, amazing technique and explosive nature going forward will be Iran’s most powerful weapon on the flanks; a real jewel who would help them produce some fruitful results!
Odds (average from top 24 betting firms): 1515
Ahmad Al-Omar - 29. May, 05:36
