11/03/2008
Kaveh Mahjoob, lastkick.com

Most coaches around the world would tell you that to win a match one has to be able to defend well. There are not too many games a team could win 3 – 2 or 4 – 3. Strikers may only convert one out of five opportunities and they still would be considered as heroes but a mishap at the backend spells a potential defeat. This is especially true when national teams play in world cup qualifying tournaments when the difference between playing at the world stage and watching the games on TV is a simple goal.

Internationally, Iran has had success producing world class goalkeepers and strikers but where Iranian players have been most successful is the midfield position. Even today, with the reduced number of European based Iranians players, Kia, Nekunam, Taymourian and Shojaii still play important roles in their respective clubs.

With the exception of Rahman Rezaii who thrived in Series A of Italy, one would be hard pressed to find another successful Iranian defender in Europe. That brings me to the main topic of this article and the lack of quality defenders in Iran.

Note that all Team Melli players come from Iran’s domestic tournament. Iran’s starting defenders come from Saipa (2), Sepahan (1) and Bargh (1). Through thirteen weeks, Saipa has allowed 1.54 goals per match. That is where national team defenders, Kaebi and Hosseini play. Saipa’s defense allowed six goals in one match in week 9 of the tournament and owns the second worst defense in the league. This means that at any given week, when Saipa enters the field, it is already behind by two goals.

Due to retirement or head coach decisions, three of the four 2006 world cup starters in defense have left Team Melli. Head Coach Ali Daei was hoping to find his defensive starters during the first round of qualifications. Iran only gave up two goals in six matches on her way to the top of the group but the lack of cohesiveness and apparent unfamiliarity among the defenders are big sources of headache for the coaching staff. Against North Korea on October 15th, Koreans scored once and could have scored several others in a match in Azadi stadium in Tehran. Iran won that match to breathe easier but defensive holes are plenty and apparent for any opponent’s coaching staff to observe.

For years, Iran has lacked a left-footed left defender and has been forced to experiment with a variety of players in that position. This year, the same challenge exists. Daei knows full well that in matches against South Korea and Saudi Arabia, he needs to come up with a defensive strategy that would keep Rahmati’s (goalkeeper) goal safe and allow his attackers to play their game without undue stress of poor defensive mishaps. More importantly, Daei needs to worry about South Africa as the current defensive holes could spell Swiss cheese two years from now unless dealt with.

Kaveh_Mahjoob@hotmail.com