Iran primed for attempt to break group stage hoodoo

Sports Tuesday 29/May/2018 16:20 PM
By: Times News Service
Iran primed for attempt to break group stage hoodoo

THE stability and pragmatism of Carlos Queiroz’s seven-year reign has firmly established Iran’s as Asia’s number one team, but the nation will go to the World Cup hoping to advance for the first time to the knockout phase.
Queiroz’s side face a daunting task after being drawn to take on Morocco, Spain and Portugal. However, Team Melli represent the Asian Football Confederation’s best hope of a successful 2018 finals.
Iran will be appearing at the World Cup for a fifth time and on each of their four previous visits - in 1978, 1998, 2006 and 2014 - they were unable to advance beyond the group phase.
But Queiroz, who took charge in April 2011, has long targeted a run that would see the country progress for the first time and has worked hard to encourage the authorities in Iran to give him the tools required to achieve that goal.
Queiroz’s main concern has been the disparity in the fitness between those in his squad playing in Iran and those featuring overseas, with the country’s foreign-based players key to hopes of success.
Principal among the weapons at Queiroz’s disposal is Rubin Kazan striker Sardar Azmoun, a forward in the mould of Iranian great Ali Daei whose goals were instrumental in Iran becoming the first Asian nation to qualify for the finals.
Azmoun is backed up by the pace and trickery of Alireza Jahanbakhsh, who goes to Russia off the back of an impressive season for AZ Alkmaar in the Eredivisie, while Qatar-based striker Mehdi Taremi adds another dimension to the attack.
Iran qualified for the World Cup having conceded only twice in the final phase and both of those goals came against Syria after their spot in the finals had already been secured.
That 2-2 draw at the Azadi Stadium marked the first time Queiroz’s team had allowed the opposition to score in a competitive game since a 3-1 win over Turkmenistan in November 2015, a run stretching back 13 matches and almost 22 months.
Iran will need players such as central defensive pairing Jalal Hosseini and Mortez Pouralighanji -with the assistance of highly-rated defensive midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi - to be at the top of their game if they are to achieve their dream

Factbox

FIFA ranking: 36

Previous tournaments
Iran will be appearing at the World Cup finals for a fifth time, although qualification for Russia is the first time the country has booked a spot at successive tournaments having previously played in 1978, 1998, 2006 and 2014. The Iranians are still looking to progress to the knockout rounds for the first time and have won just one match, against the United States, in France in 1998.

Coach: Carlos Queiroz
Former Real Madrid and Portugal coach Queiroz is leading the Iranians to the World Cup finals for the second time after also steering the country to Brazil in 2014. The pragmatic Portuguese took over in April 2011 and has turned Iran into Asia’s number one team, with a focus on defensive discipline while harnessing some of the continent’s best attacking talent.

Key players
Sardar Azmoun:
The heir-apparent to Iranian great Ali Daei, 23-year-old Azmoun has established himself as Iran’s leading forward since breaking into the team in the lead-up to the 2015 Asian Cup finals. As comfortable in the air as he is on the ground, the Rubin Kazan forward carries a constant goal scoring threat.
Alireza Jahanbakhsh: Exciting winger Jahanbakhsh goes into his second World Cup finals off the back of a remarkable season in the Netherlands’ Eredivisie, where he has been one of the standout players for AZ Alkmaar. Quick and skilful, Jahanbakhsh can play on either flank or behind the striker.
Saeid Ezatolahi: Ezatolahi has picked up the mantle of predecessors such as Karim Bagheri and Javad Nekounam as the man who makes Iran tick from central midfield. The 21-year-old’s performances in front of the defence have been instrumental in the country’s impressive form over the last three years.

Form guide
Queiroz has regularly complained about the difficulties he has faced in preparing his team for the World Cup, in particular the domestic-based section of his squad, but Iran have recorded several solid results since qualifying. A draw with hosts Russia in Kazan was followed by wins over Venezuela, Sierra Leone and Algeria as well as a narrow loss against Tunisia.
How they qualified: Iran were the first Asian team to book their place at the 2018 World Cup, with their miserly defence ensuring the goals of Azmoun would take the team into pole position in their qualifying group ahead of South Korea and Uzbekistan.

Prospects
Drawn in a challenging group with Morocco, Spain and Portugal, the Iranians will be looking to pick up a win in their opener against the Moroccans to ensure their quest for a first-ever place in the round of 16 stays alive until their final game, against the Portuguese. Well-drilled and growing in experience, Iran could spring a surprise against either Spain or Portugal if they gain that morale-boosting victory over Morocco.