Iran-Syria <<Aftermath>> discussion

[InsideInfo]

Iran won and showed sparks of improvement.
Sorry about the bad referee and harsh playing arabs

whats yourt thought about this?

[BrankoWasTheBEST]

I did not see the game as I thought it was tomorrow so I cannot comment but one thing I know is that it seems Iran is playing with more passion and commitment. I know it is our B team bt other countries also brought their B team.

Hopefully a few of these players can go and make the grade to the full A team and play with vigour and passion.  Our European based players are getting on and we only have 3 that we can rely on. Two in Spain and one in London and hopefully Ando will get some more playing time this time.

I am glad we got to the final of WAFF evebn though it is ot a first class tournament, at least it gives our younger players a taste of what an international is and how to cope with pressure. They are eased into it instead of being thrown in the deep end.

Many people talk about Arab referees but the referee against Qatar was also an Arab and was very fair as was the referee in AC2004 in the game against Oman.

I hope to see some highlights and then make up my mind.

[Afshin]

I didn't see the match either, playing Palestine put me off this tournament at the outset, this is purely due to the weakness of our opponent and that they don't even have a league in Palestine, should Iran be playing a team of that level!

On the point of Arab referees mentioned, I think in recent years, say the last 3 years when we have had Arab referees they have been fair to Iran, back in the 90s and up to say 5 years ago Arab referees always sided up with Iran's opponent especially when they were Arab, but I think that has changed a lot, also the mentality of Iranian players has changed, by that I mean they no longer find it difficult playing Arab teams, we have done well against Arab sides in recent years, why should we be uncomfortable playing them?  Look how Sepahan kicked Saudi back sides in ACL for two years running.

As for WAFF, I am not a fan of this tournament, I think Iran should use their U-23 side or don't play at all.  But under the circumstances with Iran's friendlies cancelled one after another WAFF gave Daei the chance to test his subs and new faces.  Winning WAFF has no meaning for me, the only thing that matters is Daei used the tournament to decide what players to use against KSA in WC2010 Qualifier.

Does anyone know whether the Uzbek friendly is on or off?

[InsideInfo]

well, winning WAFF is meaningless, true, but as you already stated, we could use this practice.
Not having any friendlies the last, what 6 months?

But Daei IMO did used this tournament to its full potential, by using alot of youngsters! And we succeed!

As for the arab referee, he was just awful, maybe not biased, but truly poor poor decisions

[BrankoWasTheBEST]

AFC: TEHRAN: Three-time champions Iran will clash with Jordan in the final of the West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) Championship on Friday after both teams easily won their respective semi-final encounters.

A goal in each half against Syria from Kianosh Rahmati (6 penalty) and Gholamreza Rezaee (53) sealed Team Melli’s berth in their fourth final after wins earlier in 2000, 2004 and last year.

Their opponents Jordan, who lost in the 2002 final to Iraq, conquered Qatar 3-0, thanks to strikes from Hassouna Al Sheikh (45), Amer Deeb (71) and Odai Al Saify (90+2).

A victory in the final would prove to be the right tonic for Ali Daei’s men as they prepare for the upcoming final round of Asian qualifiers for the 2010 FIFA World Cup where they have been grouped with DPR Korea, Korea Republic, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Iran open their World Cup campaign against Saudi Arabia on September 6.