On Saturday something close to miracle happened for all the Iran fans. Going into the fourth round of the Asia World Cup Qualifying Group 5 Team Melli was in third place with three points trailing UAE and Syria that had five points each.

Well, it all changed in one round; TM defeated UAE, and the bottom dwellers Kuwait defeated Syria on Sunday. So now Iran is sitting pretty on top of the group with UAE and Syria trailing still with five points each, but now they are looking back nervously to find Kuwait breathing down their necks with four points.

Oh, I love football’s unpredictability J

It does not look good! No sir, it doesn’t! Team Melli has not been defeated in its first three qualifying matches; that is the good part, but it has not had a single victory either! That translates into three ties, three points, a third place in Asian qualifying group 5.

The latest draw was against UAE at home. The team played better than it did in its first two games, but not by much and it was certainly enough.

They are now in the brink of elimination and the only guaranteed way to get a pass is to win the next three games; all three of them away games, and the first two are away games.

It does not look good, but Team Melli has surprised us before. Let’s hope they do it again this time.

Yes, you read me right! That is exactly what they suggested!

As a diehard Iranian football fan, I’d be the first to tell you that our football federation has been out to lunch for many successive administrations; and worst yet, the bill has been charged to us the fans!

For me to read this nonsense is yet another proof that people in FIFA are either completely out of touch with reality, or have good reasons to ignore it.

English football fans who may be reading this, I am sure that you have your own issues with your FA, but please accept my sincere apology for this ridicules comparison. We Iranian fans would gladly switch our federation with yours any time of the day, any day of the year!  

Ali Daei’s Assistant Mohammad Ahmadzadeh has tendered his resignation to him. Apparently Daei has refused to accept it! That probably means that he will stay!

You see, there is this peculiar custom amongst us Iranians that only seems to work well within our own and this is how it goes: Whenever one’s position is in danger, one will find a noble reason to quit before being asked to leave! If the person who was going to fire you, asks you to stay, then you will and you are almost guaranteed to have more security and stability at the very same position than you did before!

Don’t ask me why this is the way it is; it just is! I did not invent it!

So, Ahmadzadeh will be asked by Daei to stay, Daei will say some very good things about him in public, and Ahmadzadeh will come back to the job feeling pretty good about the entire thing!

Now back to the original program:

If you go there will be trouble
An’ if you stay it will be double
So come on and let me know
This indecision’s bugging me

I loved the Clash when I was in college!

Speaking to a pool of reporters prior to a meeting with all the IRIFF and National Physical Education Organization officials, the usually fiery and candid Daei, blasted the IRIFF officials and suggested that they look for another coach if they think he does not fit the bill!

Daei also complained about the fact that after two months at the job, he is still without an official contract!

In reaction to Daei’s tirades, IRIFF and NPEO spokesmen took a defensive and cautious approach and promised that their respective organizations will get on the ball ASAP!

I bet these guys had no idea what they were getting into when they hired Daei. This may turn out to be a very interesting qualifying campaign off the pitch after all. On the pitch the team looks dreadful!

Upon returning from Kuwait City after Iran’s 2-2 tie with Kuwait in their second game of the World Cup 2010 Qualifying Group 5 match, Daei was approached by a reporter who pushed him on the question of including European based players, specifically Mehdi Mahdavikia and Vahid Hashemian. The coach, who has been known for getting into shouting matches with reporters, almost lost his temper again, but managed to keep in check and insisted that he would only invite those players who are in good form for their clubs.

It will be interesting to see if the ever provocative Iranian reporters will eventually make the coach breakdown and show his temper on the bigger stage of International football.

Well, that is what most Team Melli fans experienced on Wednesday, but the good feelings were not to last long!

Iran surrendered a two goal lead to Kuwait and had to settle with one point in their second World Cup Qualifying match.

If there is any silver lining, it would be the fact that they did play noticeably better than they have in their last two or three games. Fortunately for them, UAE and Syria also tied, and missed a golden opportunity to put some space between themselves and the other three teams in the group.

Iran has a respectable record against their Persian Golf neighbors. In thirty one attempts they have managed 14 victories and only 7 losses. However, it is notable that half of these wins came during 1970s that were the golden age of Iranian football. Team Melli is at one of its lowest points in the last decade. Since France 1998, success has come far and long in between and the talent pool is nothing to brag about even in continental context.

The only good piece of news for the Iranian fans is that Kuwait is struggling as well. They lost their opener to UAE 2-0 and a loss here will virtually put them out of contention.

Ever optimistic Daei has admitted that this will be a very tough game for his green troops, but he is confident that they can come away with three points if they stick to the plan.

Kuwait manager Radion Gacanin is also vary of the upcoming challenge, but just like Daei is very confident that his strikers can regain their touch and score against Iran.

I am not a betting man, but if I had to bet ……………… naw! I am not going to start now, but you can bet I will be cheering for the boys tomorrow.

Team Melli had its first game under full leadership of new coach Ali Daei and the result was not pretty. Iran lost its friendly encounter with Bahrain by a single goal.

This could not be exactly a confidence builder with the Kuwait game coming up in a few days. But to be fair to Daei he has not had nearly enough time to make his mark on the team. The Kuwait game is the key, however, because it will buy the team and the new coach the time they desperately need to get to know each other.

This wasn’t such a hot week for Iranian clubs in Asia. Last year’s AFC Champions League runner ups, Sepahan of Isfahan, lost their 2008-09 opener against al Ittihad of Syria. This is the same team mind you that they had defeated 5-0 in Damascus last year. What a difference one year makes!

The other Iran representative, last year’s league winners, Saipa of Karaj travelled to Kuwait City and managed a tie with Kuwait Sports Club. Actually that is not that bad come to think of it!

Ali Daei on the other hand announced his 30 man preliminary roaster. There were not many surprises, but of course Iranian news papers and other media will do their best to spin it in any way they can.

There you have it!