Contrary to Ghana Iran started the match using ten players from their world cup 2006 squad with Hadi Aghili of Sepahan FC the exception, Talebloo (GK), Mahdavikia, Rezaei, Zandi, Teymourian, Nekunam, Enayati, Kazemian, Karimi and Hashemian were all from Iran’s world cup squad.  Iran made six substitutions in this match three of whom played in last year’s world cup (Kaebi, Madanchi and Khatibi). 

Iran proved to be dangerous when attacking and took a 3-0 lead in the first half, however, the old weaknesses in defence were still there, even the under 23 Ghana side managed to score twice and bring the match back to 3-2, both goals scored from the edge of Iran’s penalty box with the second goal a truly classic curving shot that beat Iran’s defence and the diving keeper, Iran scored a fourth to seal the match.

In my article on Iran’s friendly match against Mexico earlier this month I warned about lack of discipline in Team Melli.  Despite Iran’s superiority in this match we once again witnessed indiscipline in Team Melli.  Four Iranian players were booked and Khatibi was sent off for a second yellow card in what was supposed to be a friendly match not mentioning against an inferior opposition.  Khatibi earned his first yellow card for failing to stop when the referee whistled for off-side, despite the game stopping Khatibi continued to play and scored a silly goal since the Ghanaian keeper had stopped with referee’s whistle, as if Khatibi’s foolishness was not bad enough he continued to complain to referee about his yellow card and the offside call, he then earned himself a second booking for complaining which was an automatic sending off, it should be noted that the referee in this match was an Iranian (Mr Moradi), so there could be no question on Khatibi being discriminated. 

Iran have now had a player sent off in both of their friendly matches in June (against Mexico & Ghana).  This level of unprofessionally will be severely punished in the Asian Cup, the referee’s decision is final, any half decent player should be aware of that, arguing against a referee decision is a bookable offence.  To add insult to injury Iran’s head coach Mr Ghalenoei decided to give Ali Daei’s number 10 shirt to Khatibi, number 10 is always given to the best player on the field, normally a deadly striker, examples of players wearing the number 10 shirt are Maradona, Zidane and Ali Daei.  I find Ghalenoei’s decision of giving the number 10 shirt to Khatibi rather immature.  Khatibi wearing Daei’s old number 10 shirt played in the second half only, he was not effective and was red-carded in the end.

I hold no hope for Mr Ghalenoei guiding Team Melli in the Asian Cup in July, however, on the positive side Iran have numerous quality players as named above; they have world cup experience under their belt, that makes Iran a relatively strong team despite weak coaches in charge.  It is interesting that Mr Ghalenoei has reverted back to team selection of Branko Ivankovic having dismissed Branko as failure, Ghaleneoi has been Team Melli head coach for one year now; he has failed to assemble a new national team as promised last year, the only players who are absent from Branko’s team in today’s first team selection appear to be those who retired from Team Melli last year (Daei, Golmohammadi and Bakhtiyarizadeh).