Team Melli lost to Jordan 1-0 in Amman in their return leg of their Asian Cup Qualifier. They still lead the group with seven points, but things look bad real bad. I have been watching Team Melli for decades and this is the lowest I have ever seen them, and I am not only talking [...]

On Sunday Iran will face Jordan for the return leg of their Asian Cup qualifier in Amman. Iran won the first leg and is sitting pretty on top of the Qualifying Group E, while Jordan is on the opposite end, all the way at the bottom. But, do not let that fool you; Iran did [...]

Team Melli and FYR Macedonia played a 1-1 draw in Tehran on Wednesday. This was Iran’s last friendly before the crucial November 22 Asian Cup Qualifier with Jordan in Amman.
What was a puzzle for me was the fact the Coach Afshin Ghotbi decided to play Javad Nekounam and Masoud Shojaei whose luxury of services [...]

Team Melli will not have the services of its players based abroad for its crucial Asian Cup qualifier against Jordan.
This is due to AFC’s insistence to schedule matches on non-FIFA days, and the clubs’ refusal to release the players. This will hurt Iran more than Jordan because Jordan does not have a large contingency of [...]

The Macedonians are in the Iranian capital. No, this is not Alexander the Great and his Macedonian army we are talking about; these guys are not even related to those Macedonians, well not if you listen to the Greeks, but we won’t go into that! We are talking about the FYR Macedonian soccer team. [...]

Iran defeated Jordan in their third Group E match of the Asian Cup qualifiers. The match’s only goal was scored in 72nd minute by none other than Captain and midfielder Javad Nekounm who plays his club football in Spanish La Liga for Osasuna.
Click here to read the match report and watch the goal, [...]

Team Melli defeated Iceland 1-0 in their Tehran friendly today. Only a few hundred fans attended the match, which is very disappointing; however, that is a reflection of the mood amongst Iranian soccer fans in the light of missing the big party in South Africa this summer.
Team Melli will face Jordan on November 14 for [...]

Team Melli’s third workout, in advance of Iceland friendly tomorrow (Tuesday), took place with 25 players. Three players, namely Iman Mobali, Amir Mohebi, and Khosrow Heydari, did not participate due to various injuries. Mifielder Iman Mobali suffered a minor back injury and may not play against Iceland.
Ok, here is the funny; apparently a few players [...]

Coach Afshin Ghotbi invited 30 players to Team Melli camp in preparation for the November 14 Asian Cup Qualifier against Jordan in Tehran’s Azadi Stadium.
Team Melli will play friendly matches with Iceland on November 10 and Macedonia on November 18.
Iran is currently at the top of Group 5 of the 2010 Asian Cup qualifying groups.
Goalkeepers:
Mehdi [...]

Coach Afshin Ghotbi has left the door open for former Steel of Azin star midfielder Ali Karimi who retired from the international game earlier this year. 
Ghotbi who is dealing with one of the least talented pool of players in recent years may be desperate to bring back some of the veterans in the hope to [...]