Iran scored a crucial and historic victory over Wales at the Ahmad Ali Stadium on matchday two of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
This is Iran’s first victory over a European team on the big stage. Ultimately, it was a tremendous victory for Team Melli, earning three points in Group B. More importantly, it keeps the team well in pursuit of reaching the knockout stages.
Iran wins redemption
The high-risk 3-5-2 of Rob Page faced the flat 4-4-1-1 of Carlos Queiroz. The Portuguese coach assigned Mehdi Taremi as ‘second striker’, with Sardar Azmoun as ‘lone striker’.
The first half was even with infield play until Iran unleashed a plethora of offensive plays.
First doors, Iran shows its creativity first. Wales expected Iran to fire. As a result, they dug in with insufficient defense.
Vague crosses from Sepahan defender Ramin Rezaeian revealed a constant theme of getting Azmoun in the middle of the passing game. The Bayer Leverkusen striker has fresh legs in sprints as he battles a strained calf muscle.
Then a sharp cross from Connor Roberts to Bournemouth striker Kieffer Moore was instinctively saved by Esteghlal FC goalkeeper Hossein Hosseini. In the 15th minute, an atrocious horizontal pass from Roberts was deflected, leading to a 3v2 triangle attack from Iran. However, Charleroi midfielder Ali Gholizadeh was caught offside.
To no avail, Wales penetrated Iran’s final third in dozens of innings. Despite that, Iran’s relentless counter-attacks caused threats, especially as the Welsh defenders offered too much space for Iran’s midfield to maneuver during the transitional ‘robbery game’.
Iran find a win over Wales
Iran did not hesitate to attack the Welsh goal, saved by the post, twice. First, a sensational through ball from captain Ehsan Hajsafi found Azmoun on a breakaway. However, his shot deflected off the near post. Then a diversion occurred; a pronounced ‘inside curve of the foot’ grooved by Gholizadeh, bouncing off the wood.
Iran keeps firing. Wayne Hennessey denied Saeed Ezatolahi’s attempt. The Welsh goalkeeper was later sent off for a dangerous tackle on Mehdi Taremi.
Wales responded with Ben Davies firing. However, he mastered his boot, causing her to lean back, smacking the crossbar.
Iran’s resilience went through. The Melli team showed incredible poise mixed with determination. As a result, they refused to settle for a draw and strove to win.
Finally, after more than 90 minutes without scoring, two Iranian defenders proved to be important players in stoppage time: first, a brilliant strike from Esteghlal FC centre-back Rouzbeh Cheshmi, 1-0.
Then a counterattack was finished off by Sepahan defender Ramin Rezaeian, 2-0. Together, the mainstays of the Persian Pro League have carved their names into Iran’s 100-year football history.
apolitical mentality
In his latest press release, the head of Iran, Carlos Queiroz, stated with conviction that “all the teams have problems at home”.
Queiroz alluded to being a victim of media bias. In other words, he claims that international colleagues are not asked about the infighting in their respective nations, while Team Melli is bombarded with politics.
“Curiously, you don’t ask the same questions of other coaches and teams,” Queiroz proclaimed. “Knowing that they have so many problems at home.” The “Iranian players are not the enemy” and that their players are soccer purists. “Our guys are just soccer guys.”
signature formation
The ‘bolt on the door’ opened against England saw Queiroz employ a flowing formation against Wales. This strategy offered consistent “positional play” for four “chance creators” in midfield. In addition, the addition of Sardar Azmoun exchanged the role of ‘lone striker’. Against England, Mehdi Taremi was No. 9. Against Wales, however, he transitioned into a ‘second striker’ role, serving and offering support.
Although, for Wales, when numerical superiority occurs with the ‘opposing forwards’, management usually calls for a defensive switch between the ‘chance makers’. However, the Welsh defense lacked an extra defender. Ultimately, Carlos Queiroz designating Taremi a ‘false-nine’ served as an effective decoy.
Two wingers and opportunity creators
Alireza Jahanbakhsh frequently plays ‘on the far right’ in flat midfield. Although, as he presses, ‘lone striker’ Sardar Azmoun drags defenders out of position, creating space for vertical runs. As a result, wingers like Ramin Rezaeian took advantage of the gaps by using the width of the field during ‘positional play’.
Unfortunately, Alireza Jahanbakhsh received a consecutive yellow card. Therefore, she will be absent in matchday three against the USMNT.
chances of advancing
With the sublime victory over Wales, Iran regains its honor. Since this Welsh team is mainly made up of players from the English Premier League, the Melli soccer team can keep their heads up. However, they should be cautious and not get too confident like ‘Iran 1978’. That team did not respect matchday three against Peru. It falls to Carlos Queiroz to respect the tactical and technical skills of Gregg Berhalter’s USMNT.
All signs point to a relentless third matchday. USMNT vs. Iran: Part II. However, Iran could still advance from Group B with a draw, setting them to four points. Therefore, as it stands, the pressure to ‘win’ in that match is on the USMNT.
PHOTO: IMAGO / AFLOSPORT
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