Glimmer of hope left for Iran?

[1Reno1]

Yes, I know what everyone is saying now, 'This is only a battle between a battle for first between Mex-Port. But think about it. Iran as we all know lost to Mexico, but the way they played their offence and played as a team even shocked Mexico a bit. With two games left, next against Portugal, can Iran build on their mistakes and walk into that game ready to win?, and will Portugal get their act together and start playing as a whole team? Give your opinions.

[Antagonist]

Finally an Irani fan speaks out after the defeat at the hands of Mexico.
You could count on this Mexican to support Iran.

Next prediction I would say: Iran vs Portugal 2-1
Angola vs Iran 0-3

[Mazloumi]

Pitching a near perfect game; The key to Iran's match against Portugal

Editorial
Mansoor Ansari

Houston - Iran will face Europe's second place winner in Euro2004, Portugal, on Saturday to find her final destiny in this world cup. Facing such European powerhouse for Iran spells nothing but playing near perfect game in order to have any chance to advance to the next round. A criterion that Iran did not implement in her last game against Mexico.

Although in the match against Mexico, Iran proved to be capable of defeating powerhouse teams technically and tactically, nevertheless, the lack of experience along with mental collapses eventually cost Iran the game that was theirs to take. Even the first half of the match, in which Iran displayed a superior performance, was not error free. A quick review of such errors may put a light on how Iran lost the match that could have had other outcome.

Too many free kicks!

While Iran was doing very well in first half, but still was making the same error repeatedly; giving up free kicks behind the box. The series of unnecessary fouls behind the box eventually led to Mexico's first goal. It was no secret that free kick is one of Mexico's strong points. But still, Iranian defenders and midfielders were continuously giving up free kicks and corner kicks to this dangerous team to practice their pre-set strategies. Eventually, Mexicans were able to muscle down the Iranian players inside the box to free a player and score their first goal.

Mental let down in second half

Iranian players satisfied with their performance in first half, entered the field in second half as if the game was theirs to finish. The first half display of excellent focus was gone and nobody took the initiative to change what was seemed to be a bitter outcome in the making. Perhaps, the coach more than anyone else is responsible in such situations to lead the team from the sideline and make the necessary changes in the line up to bring back the spirit to play with more poise. Mexico was adding the pressure on Iranian players with each minute going by. What could have been the key to break the Mexicans' pressing was the addition of two more technical players to take advantage of such pressure and get result for Iran. Players such as Masoud Shojaei and Rasul Khatibi were capable of displaying higher technical game to possibly break out of the press and move the team forward.

Iran brought in a player, Mehrzad Madanchi, that also could help the team with speed and poise, but took out the player that he needed to get the ball to him, Ali Karimi. With Karimi's exit, Iran lost the only player that could use his technique and play making to feed Madanchi to run through the wing. Leaving ineffective Ali Daei in the field and not bringing any other play maker to feed Madanchi made this substitution transparent to the match.

Missing Mexico's error

During free kicks and corner kicks, Mexico was sending in several players, including their best defender Rafael Marquez, to muscle out Iranians inside the box to free a player to score. In such set plays, Iran could have set two of shorter but faster players, Kaabi and Mahdavikia in the front and near the midfield line, for quick counter attacks while Daei and Hashemian were helping the defense inside the box with their height and strength. Mexico's primary weakness in defense was the lack of speed in counter attacks and Iran never exposed such weakness during the game.

The comedy of errors in Mexico's winning goals

It is interesting to note that what started the comedy of the errors in Mexico's second goal was a free kick for Iran! A free kick was rewarded to Iran to restart the game from near the midfield line. But rather than setting up the play and asking the players to move forward and use a long ball to go behind pressing Mexicans, Mehdi Mahdavikia received the ball from Javad Nekunam before the midfiled line. He then, in a surprising move, passed the ball back to Hossein Kaabi which was standing in Iran's field along with six other Iranian players while Iran had the position in this set play! With no desire to move forward which was the reflection of players attitude in second half, Kaabi passed the ball back to Ebrahim Mirzapour to one more time test him in a department that is known as his primary weakness! And the rest was an embarrassing show of erroneous handling of the ball by Mirzapour and Rahman Rezaei.

The third goal was no exception. While the previous goal was the result of technical errors, the third goal was the result of tactical errors. Both of Iran's players in left side, Madanchi and Mohammad Nosrati, failed to mark the man that was clearly running through the wing. Madanchi not only did not follow him, he also let his man that passed the ball from the middle of the field to the wing, to go free into the box, and receive the ball back to head it into the net. Madanchi stopped following him when he entered the box, Nosrati did not even follow him and stood up watching the play when the pass to the wing took place, and Nekunam ran opposite to him into the box where there was no player for him to mark! Iran was left with two defenders, Golmohammadi and shorter Kaabi, to defend three Mexicans while Rezaei had run out of the box to defend the wing player unsuccessfully.

Can Iran win the next match against Portugal?

Only on a thin line! Portugal is no lesser than Mexico in capitalizing from technical or tactical errors. Near perfect game is the only chance Iran has to find herself in second stage. World Cup games are no place for errors, and Iran's previous match was a good witness to such a fact, and a learning lesson for the Iranian side. Iran must make use of the squad efficiently with the best and most fit 14 players that can match up against Portugal to win this match.

[Hat_trick_3]

Right now this seems like a battle between Mexico and Angola for the second spot. But who knows, maybe Iran'll have a surplus of inspiration tomorrow.

[kriot]

there's a glimmer of hope now.

[Antagonist]

Right now this seems like a battle between Mexico and Angola for the second spot. But who knows, maybe Iran'll have a surplus of inspiration tomorrow.

Rest assured Mexico will win first spot, and Iran the second. :yell:

[Hat_trick_3]

Rest assured Mexico will win first spot, and Iran the second. :yell:

Rest assured, your opinion values less to me than the number of goals you scored against a 10-man Angola.

[Antagonist]

Rest assured, your opinion values less to me than the number of goals you scored against a 10-man Angola.

That match was to see what Mexico lacked on in offence.
Either way, with a 11-man team Angola wouldn't of scored.

[rojinegro13]

If Iran manages to even tie against Portugal they have a chance, but they would have to beat Angola, and it doesnt look like they will.

[Hat_trick_3]

Rest assured Mexico will win first spot, and Iran the second. :yell:

Are you so sure now? Or were you talking about WC 2058?

[Saraj Fanatico]

Well good year for Iran has come to an end. But hey they can at least walk away with Victory against Angola and finsih their compaign a great way!

[benfica64]

Well good year for Iran has come to an end. But hey they can at least walk away with Victory against Angola and finsih their compaign a great way!

Iranians have some good players that play in the german league and a sound team that likes to move the ball forward. Just not good enough and that is the bottom line as they are all but out with the loss to Portugal. We will be seeing the Iranians again.

[Hat_trick_3]

There's still hope for Iran. Portugal or Mexico can still be disqualified :)

[Crazy Swede]

Iran is officially done. Losing to Portugal 2-0