Please prove Bobby wrong!

Bobby is probably still sore from USA’s thrashing by Iran
at WC98.

He speaks from the 1998 experience, anyway. But we’ve got to admit that there is some thruth in what he says, at least relative to the 1998 version of Team Melli.

I remember it all well. I was
rooting for Iran as there is no tomorrow. In the first game, Iran went down to Germany by two goals, perhaps undeservedly. But I could see that at least from the moment Klinsmann scored the second, Team Melli players were
thinking: OK, we lost this one
(nobody can restore a two-goal deficit from Germany!), but we have come here to win USA. They
were already thinking about the next game! I had a feeling I could read throughts racing through their minds.

Then came the famous win vs. Americans: Estili’s stupendous header, Kia’a great run and an overall great performance.

In the last match vs. less-than-impressive Yugoslavs, Team Melli could have won, if only it had enough will and guts (class was already there). But again, it was in their legs that “we have done what we came here for.” It wasn’t adverent, it was more
subconcious but it was there,
and it robbed a great team of its chance of a World Cup glory.
I was so sad and so mad at once!

Now, only if Team Melli pulls itself up by hair and tells itself “do or die” in every given game, they will go through and achive what this team deserves.

Amin!

Posted from  Azerbaijan

Afshin jon,
Bobby is in for a surprise. We will have 2 good matches against Mexico and Angola.

Dear Amin,
Nice post. To set the record straight, Iran’s first match was against Yugoslavia and iran played very well but lost in 70+ minute on a free kick that the backup young keeper Nakissa misjudged.

Iran’s last match against Germany was an underwhelming match.

Regards,
Kaveh from California

Posted from  United States

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Posted from  Islamic Republic Of Iran

I am sorry: I don’t know how could have I so stupidly misplaced the games vs. Yugos and Germans in my mind. I think when I was writing that post I was overcome with past emotions and a feeling of pride and sadness at the same time. Please excuse me.

Perhaps, it was easier for me to err because to me those two games were the same in terms of under-performance by Iran. No, not good word: “almost-peformance” would be better. I speak as a friend who knows the true potential of your team.
In that sense, I believe my assessment still stands, especially for the game against Yugoslavia. I think with the type of offensive talent Team Melli had they could have gone forward and scored and tied this game.

And yes, I think I remember that Yugoslavian goal: it was a free-kick from just outside the box hit to the right of Nakissa. Btw, could you tell me why Nakissa started that day? Was the first keeper Abedzadeh sick or injured?

Posted from  Azerbaijan

In a TV inteview just a couple weeks ago, the interviewer asked Abedzadeh just that. He said, “No I was fine. But before the game they told me I would sit on the bench, and I said ‘OK’ “

Posted from  United States

So it was a decision by Talebi or
(which is more likely) by the federation. Too bad… I hope Ivankovic would not succumb to any such pressure.

Posted from  Azerbaijan

Hafiz, Abedzadeh just said “coache told me”. So it is hard to say who really made the decision.

I am convinced that if he was in the goal, we would not have lost that game.

Posted from  United States