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After all the words spoken, all the questions asked, the political framing of everything to do with football, human rights and protest, the stadium DJ at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan seems to have somehow missed the message.
The choice to play the Beach Boys ode to the American summer, Surfin’ USA, at the halftime break was either deliberately provocative or completely clueless.
At that stage, with the score locked at 0-0 in their clash with Wales, it looked as though Iran would be surfing a wave of disappointment all the way back to Tehran with an early elimination looming.
A match that began with several positional and tactical changes and a more aggressive mentality from Carlos Queiroz’s side was still blighted by loose and hurried passing, an inability to calmly work the ball through the lines and an almost complete absence of threat in the final third, bar an odd moment when Sardar Azmoun was through on goal only to pass to an offside Ali Gholizadeh rather than shooting.
Things slowly turned after the break with the recalled Azmoun and then Gholizadeh hitting either post in a frantic 20-second period in the 52nd minute, before things certainly swung Iran’s way with the sending off Welsh keeper Wayne Hennessey.
Gradually the passing became more assured, the transitions were executed with pace and purpose and the movement off the ball was creating space to exploit.
Of all the unlikely heroes for Team Melli, it was Rouzbeh Cheshmi who made the breakthrough with a rasping drive from distance – in the 98th minute – to spark frenetic scenes as the entire playing, coaching and support staff raced onto the pitch to mob the second half substitute, who came off the bench to plug gaps as a defensive midfielder after starting the first game as a central defender.
With Wales pushing high up the pitch, a late breakaway saw a composed finish from rightback Ramin Rezaeian three minutes later to complete a victory that now puts Iran in a strong position to reach the Round of 16.
To be fair, the match was far from a classic with both nations struggling for a consistent rhythm but that will matter little to Queiroz and his side who responded to a humiliating opening loss against England with a far more positive approach and have now positioned themselves well to reach the second round.
WHAT WE LEARNED
A more positive mentality: Carlos Queiroz promised pre-match that we would see a ‘return’ to a more attacking, positive, Iran side and that was true. It wasn’t always fluid or cohesive but the shift in mentality was noticeable and that saw Iran play far more proactively than in the defeat against England.
Team unity shone through: The players and the coaching staff had urged that they be allowed to simply play football and set all the political issues aside. The constant pressure that the group has been under must be telling but you could sense the unity and relief of the whole squad and staff after both goals went in as they flooded the pitch in celebration.
Taremi needs more involvement centrally: The goals here came from a substitute central defender/defensive midfielder and a right back on a day where star forward Mehdi Taremi was very quiet. With Azmoun starting that saw Taremi shifted to a role on the left wing and it’s debatable whether that’s the best approach for the side’s most dangerous goal threat.
WHAT THEY SAID
Carlos Queiroz – Iran Coach
“I think it was a wonderful day for us, we’re back to football and I don’t have the words to say thank you to our players.
“They deserve all attention and respect. I think today people understand these boys love to play football.
“Again the players deserve to be supported and we did it for them. That’s the only reason we are here, to play for the fans.”
“It’s just the beginning, now we need to finish the job.”
WHAT COMES NEXT
A huge clash against the USA where a point will likely be enough to secure their progression through to the second round, although the political issues will once again likely be the focus in the lead up to that match as well.
Photos: Instagram/teammellifootball
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