10/31/2008
Afshin Afshar, lastkick.com

Esteghlal of Tehran chalked up another victory today and climbed to third place. This time it was leaders Zob-Ahan of Isfahan who fell victim to the Blues and dropped to second place.

What is important about Esteghlal's recent performances is that the team is consistently improving. Case in point is the fact that they have defeated the current number one and two teams back to back.
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10/31/2008
the-afc.com

DAMMAM – Nawaf Al Abid scored a late header as Saudi Arabia began their quest to lift the AFC U-19 Championship on home soil with a 2-1 defeat of Iran on Friday.

Mohammed Abusabaan put Saudi Arabia ahead with a penalty after eight minutes but Ehsan Haji Safi equalised from the spot before half-time at Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium.

The hosts faced stern resistance from a physical and well-organised Iran, who were finally broken four minutes from time when Al Abid converted Sultan Al Beshi's pinpoint cross as the hosts opened their campaign for a first title since 1992 with a win.
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10/30/2008
the-afc.com

KUALA LUMPUR: A respected Iranian football personality has called upon the managers of West Asian clubs to shed their reliance on state support and become self-dependent.

Foolad manager Masoud Rezaeian made the comments in an interview with the-afc.com on the sidelines of the AFC General Managers’ Seminar, which concluded on Wednesday.

“Unfortunately we still find many club managers in Asia who have an old-school mentality and enjoy getting involved in technical matters of their teams,” lamented Rezaeian, who took over the reins of Foolad a decade ago.
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10/30/2008
FNA

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran's national soccer team is scheduled to play a friendly against Qatar after the Iran-Kuwait friendly was canceled by FIFA.

"The Iranian squad will clash with Qatar in Doha on November 9," said Iranian Football Federation (IFF) Deputy President Mehdi Taj on Wednesday.
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MADRID, Oct 28 (Reuters) – Teenage striker Bojan Krkic gave a second-string Barcelona side a 1-0 victory over third-tier Benidorm in a King’s Cup last-32, first-leg match on Tuesday.

Barcelona, resting several key players including Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta, created a host of chances at a rain-drenched Municipal de Foietes stadium in Benidorm but were unable to break the deadlock until the second half.
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10/28/2008
Afshin Afshar, lastkick.com

Bye, bye Engin

Sepahan FC fired Engin Firat today. This was long coming. The Turkish coach was never able to establish himself in Isfahan and basically failed to produce results. Now he is gone, and according to a Sepahan official former Iran international and Perspolis assistant coach Hamid Estili is on top of their list of candidates to replace Firat.

Return of the Toure!

Rejoice Perspolis fans, your long lost Senegalese striker is finally found! Ibrahim Toure finally made it back to Tehran after an unauthorized extended vacation and (more…)

By Iain Rogers

MADRID, Oct 27 (Reuters) – Teenage striker Bojan Krkic will return to familiar territory for the first leg of Barcelona’s King’s Cup match at Benidorm on Tuesday.

The 18-year-old, who struck twice in the 5-0 Champions League rout of Basel last week, scored against the Segunda B (third tier) side on his debut for Barcelona’s second-string team in the 2006/07 season.
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10/27/2008
Afshin Afshar, lastkick.com

Paykan FC has been a surprise presence on the top quarter of the IPL table.

Many football experts have been trying to analyze and explain the team's unexpected success, and most of them attribute it to coach Aliasghar Modirroosta's ability to keep his young team very focused and motivated; however, as of a few days ago a new theory started making its way around; witchcraft! Yes, witchcraft!
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10/27/2008
Mehran Afshar, lastkick.com

Remember two decades ago, during 1980’s, when we had to stand in the queue for hours on Saturday mornings to get our copies of Donyaye varzesh or Keyhan Varzeshi sports weeklies?

Well those times are long gone!

These days more than a dozen daily sports newspapers are published in Iran. Around 80-90 % of their content is Football related, and about 80-90% of the football content are Iranian Professional League or Team Melli news and articles.

In theory, a head coach and all the 11 players could interview exclusively with one of these Newspapers, and could have their own media channel to connect with their fans; however, in practice, this is very rare and near impossible. Fans usually observe the same interviews printed in almost every newspaper, and sometimes the words are changed and edited to the taste of each particular editor!

In the Iranian sports media, one could find a very wide range of ideas and opinions; that is a blessing. But every so often baseless accusations and bias articles rock the Iranian football for long periods, and that is a problem; yet many football fans view this phenomena as “Mixed Blessing”!

10/26/2008
goal.com

Iran coach Ali Daei believes his team is looking good in qualification for the 2010 World Cup and is also delighted with the form of recalled Medhi Mahdavikia.

Team Melli have four points from two matches in the final round of qualification –drawing 1-1 in Saudi Arabia and defeating North Korea 2-1.
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