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Is Iran’s fate sealed?

June 8th, 2009 | By: Afshin Afshar | 10 Comments »

Despite the disappointing draw in Pyongyang, Coach Afshin Ghotbi maintains his trademark optimism about the team’s chances of qualifying for South Africa 2010.

Is it too little too yet? Did Ghotbi’s appointment happen too late in the campaign? Should Iran fail to qualify, should the Iranian football authorities retain ghotbi’s services for rebuilding the team?

Share your thoughts.

Tags: Afshin Ghotbi, Asia Group B, Team Melli, UAE

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Comments

By Seth | June 8th, 2009 at 1:42 am

This is what I think will happen:

N.Korea will be the 2nd team to advance from Group 2. Iran will top Saudi for a play-off spot against New Zealand. Iran to win both legs, hence qualification.

Or am I wrong?

By kia | June 8th, 2009 at 1:51 am

Sounds painful but realistic!!!

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By kia | June 8th, 2009 at 1:53 am

Ghotbi would be good if given more time with team melli. Generally, any coach should be given enough time to work with the team. Of course, this would be only useful is IFF can arrange for meaningful friendlies while he is in charge.

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By Afshin Afshar | June 8th, 2009 at 1:55 am

Seth, I love your senario. Although there two games that worry me:

1) Saudi arabia v UAE
2) Korea v Saudi Arabia

UAE has nothing to play for and has strong ties with the Saudis and they do not like to see Iran qualify at the expense of their allies.

Korea Republic have already qualified and might field their B team against the Saudis.

By Afshin Afshar | June 8th, 2009 at 2:04 am

kia, I agree with you. The IFF should keep Ghotbi even if the team fails to qualify.

By Hamid - Tehran | June 8th, 2009 at 3:53 am

Seth, all I can say is that you are even a bigger optimist than some Iranians – lol

I tell you what I would have done with Ghotbi after the first half:

I would have sacked him during the half time period and would have instructed the players to go out in the second half and just try to enjoy themselves any way they know best. And I am absolutely sure that the players would have found a better way of defeating their opponents than the way their manager instructed them!

I knew this guy was absolutely useless before the match and despite his credentials he did not really understand football like a lot of people think he does. He made some really basic errors in arranging the players that made me furious while I was watching the match. Time has got nothing to do with the way a manager sets up his team initially – for my life I do not understand how he had managed to be the assistant manager to Gus Hiddink?!! – imagine for one second if Hiddink was put in charge of the TM on the day. I am sure the results would have been totally different in a positive way.

Just like to apologise for not having been harsher to this guy Ghotbi as I am absolutely certain that he’s another overpaid manager Iranian football has to put up with for a while until the non-football folks realise that he is no better than the likes of MK or AD.

By Mansoor | June 8th, 2009 at 8:08 pm

Dear friends and Afshin..

Saudi has already played Emirat twice (won both games.)

They have to play S. Korea this Wednesday (VERY CRUCIAL FOR US) and then they have to play N. Korea at home. Should they lose this Wednesday, they will come out to win against N. Korea which means draw is most likely out of the picture when N. Korea and Saudi play. This way, we will only need to earn 4 points.

I know we have to win this Wednesday but so does S. Korea!!

By Afshin Afshar | June 8th, 2009 at 8:55 pm

Mansoor jAn, you are absolutely right. I made a mistake. KSA and UAE have played their two head-to-head matches. Thank you for correcting my mistake.

By Mansoor | June 8th, 2009 at 10:57 pm

Not a problem. It was a relief to know that. Trust me, I am glad because A loss on Wednesday in Seol for Saudi means they have to bust their tail when they play N. Korea a home. That’s better for us as long as we win on Wednesday.

Go Iran!!!!

By arman | June 9th, 2009 at 5:53 pm

i dont know how u guys can blame A . Daei or afshin ghotbi or anyother coach when we dont have one single player in forward position who can score golas in high percentage. Javad has scored 4 golas for us and thats all good and his present has meant alot for us but the problem is his Position is HB. Masoud has skills but he often turns the ball over and he is not a good finisher inside the box. he often dives hoping to get fouls. we have to adfmit this team is not good enough no matter what who the coach is. our defense has let us down when they needed to step up the most. ((vs south korea, suadi arabia)). i dont want to be too negative and wish the best for team meli but just wanted to get some points a cross.

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