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PLDC - As we approach the last few days of the 1385 of the Iranian calender,
it's perhaps the best time to reflect on what went on in our football in the
past year.
With no doubt, the most attractive and the greatest show Iranian football
was involved with, was the World Cup in Germany. However, as the Iranian
football fans started the year anxious to see their team in Germany, the IFF
and the usual lack of organization and planning, did not help matters as the
national team played very few friendlies in preparation for the World Cup,
and even though political reasons were brought up as an excuse, Branko's
conservatism and his job security prevented the team to face off against
stronger teams.
Regardless of the reasons, the national team left for Germany with millions
and millions of Iranians all over the globe praying and wishing for their
success. The team's performance however did not live-up to expectations, as
the team finished last in its group with 2 losses and a tie.
After the changes that took place and selection of Amir Ghalenoe as the Head
Coach, the morally-defeated national team managed to get some fresh blood as
the team cruised its way into qualifying for the Asian Cup that will take
place in the summer of next year.
However, the wounds of losing-out in the World Cup still fresh with the
fans, as most experts believed with the talent the current team carries,
this could be the year to make a strong showing and even qualify for the
knock-out stage, something never done before. The fans will now have to wait
another 4 years to get a chance at seeing their heroes play in the World's
biggest show, South Africa 2010.
The past year was even more disappointing for our Clubs internationally. As
matter of a fact, Foolad Khuzestan became the first Iranian club in the
history of the Asian club championship to finish with such a disgraceful
record, losing 4 out of it's 6 games and finishing bottom of their group.
Our other representative, Saba Battery was also knocked-out of the cup
finishing 2nd to Al-karama from Syria, the eventual finalists of the ACL.
It just seems as if the Iranian football fans have adopted themselves in not
expecting much from their favorite clubs in Asia, as year after year, the
fans are disappointed with ACL performances.
As if that wasn't enough bad news for our club football, Esteghlal Tehran
was disqualified from the 2006-07 edition of the ACL due to not turning in
their team roster on time! The Esteghlal team management easily broke the
hearts of millions and played the usual blame game to excuse their
unforgivable actions. To this date, no one has taken responsibility for such
an unprofessional management.
There was more. Both U17 and U19 national teams also failed to make their
perspective world championships, as the IFF did not fail to disappoint the
fans again at youth level.
Perhaps the scariest news of the year was Iranian Football Federation's
suspension by FIFA, which was lifted shortly after, but strong warning given
and perhaps a slight sign of things to come if the officials in the country
don't do constructive work for the future of the beautiful game in Iran.
The last major competition involving the Iranian football was the Asian
Games Football Tournament in which the U23 managed to finish 3rd, and failed
to defend its title, won 4 years ago.
No matter how optimistically one tries to look at the past year, the fact
remains that this was another disappointing year for our football, and with
the current management in charge of the IFF, things seem to stay the same.
Posted By: Armin A.
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