Iran was knocked out at the earliest stage it has been, encurring its worst
qualification campaign since that for USA 1994. Having performed admirably
against a hungry South Korean team, which on the evidence of yesterday was not
aware that it had already clinched first place in the group, in Seoul, hopes
largely faded with the Saudi's impotent firepower. although Iranians may have
switched allegiances to the North Korean side in the 90th minute when a
gilt-edged opportunity was woefully struck straight at the Saudi Arabian
goalkeeper from no more than 10 yards out, after a dangerous
counter-attack.
At any rate, the anti-climax that was last night is now
well and truly over. With it surely ends the international careers of Mehdi
Mahdavikia, Vahid Hashemian, as well as possibly a lagging Ali Karimi, who
despite his goal against the Emirati's last week has been well short of fitness,
and mobility during all three games, none more so than yesterday.
Where
does the blame start with? No, it was not the match against Saudi Arabia at
home, nor was it the appointment of Ali Daei, although both played a role. But
the beginning of the end was on June 22, 2006, the day after Iran played out a
draw against Angola at the World Cup in Germany. That was the time when
long-term planning had to take place for the current World Cup. But it failed to
materialize. Months at end without a Team Melli manager, and when that did
happen, Amir Ghalenoei's lacklustre take on the job did not grow any confidence.
The trend was repeated again after his departure. This time extensive
hand-holding and flirting with Javier Clemente did not end up turning into a
date. Out of nowhere, a fresh off his first season, Ali Daei was appointed the
manager. Reaction was mixed, although strong sentiments over his legendary
status probably swayed it towards a majority supporting the appointment. People
looked at successful players-turned-coaches in the recent past from around the
world and wondered, "Why not"?
Why not was answered in just about 1
year. Although Daei can be commended for introducing fresh blood into the team,
it soon appeared that the blood was not that talented. That was not Daei's fault
as he virtually turned every stone upside down looking for Iranian players from
within Iran. Unfortunately, one could count on a finger or two at most, which
youngsters have the quality to succeed even at only a continental level, let
alone on the world stage. That, dear readers, will be a problem which will leave
its legacy going into the 2014 World Cup.
Daei took a brave choice to
take the job and it will be his falling at the end. A reputation tarnished, a la
Kevin Keegan & Steve McLaren, it will be difficult to see a recovery within
Iran. He might choose to try his hand at coaching in a different
country.
However, one small ray of bright light is flickering through. A
certain Afshin Ghotbi took his place at the helm of the national team during the
last three matches. Yes, its true that the team only picked up 5 points during
this time out of a possible 9. However, two of the draws were against the two
Korean sides away, sandwiching a tiring win at home against a poor UAE side. Ali
Daie's Iran picked up the same amount of points from the reverse fixtures
earlier in the qualification. However, the manner of Ghotbi's Iran's
performances was worth some commending, especially in Seoul. One of the best
away performances from an Iranian side against the South Koreans resulted in a
draw. Organization was evident, and a proper counter-attacking strategy which
saw Masoud Shojaei torment the Korean defence could have resulted in at least
one more goal, when with all the time in the world to poke the ball in, Shojaei
took even more time, before a defender blocked the ball, at the time when Team
Melli was leading 1-0.
One would be hard-pushed to say Iran deserved more
than a point, considering the number of world class saves on display by Mehdi
Rahmati, who has finally given Iran a pair of safe hands between the sticks, as
well as some brave defending starting from up front but all the way back to the
magnificent Jalal Hosseini, who was doing the work of two central defenders,
considering that Hadi Aghili was being caught out faster than George Michael in
a New York public bathroom.
Now comes a point where we have another June
22, 2006 at hand. What will the IFF do. For one thing, Afshin Ghotbi should be
retained at all cost, as he is the only Iranian head coach with an inkling of a
chance to be considered competent to lead a set of Iranian players and turn them
into a team at an international level. The problems are manifold. It is an
ageing squad, and with not much talent coming through to replace the stars of
yesteryear, it will be a rebuilding job. But if one looks at Iraq and China, who
both underperformed at the last stage of qualification but have both regrouped,
appointed long-term management teams and set up a string of high-quality
friendlies, then it is never too early to begin planning for 2014 in Brazil. But
history tells us in Iran, we like to play catch-up.
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