World Cup 2006 Preview – Iran

Report by David Walker

Outright Odds: 750/1Group D Winners: 14/1

Iran’s very last physical appearance in the Entire world Cup, back again in 1998, created a shock two-1 victory more than the United States, in what could have been described as a extremely diplomatic result. After qualifying emphatically for this year’s tournament, including a 2-one home victory over Japan, Iran will be anticipated to a lot more than just make up the numbers.

Iran won nine out of their 11 matches and qualified with a match to spare, despite the fact that were pipped to the prime spot by Japan, who beat them in the return fixture in the final spherical of fixtures.

Their efforts did not go unnoticed and they ranked at an all-time substantial of 15 in June 2005, forward of fellow qualifiers Ukraine and Sweden and European champions Greece. To give you some notion of their place in the globe game, they had been rated just one particular area below Italy.

Iran are blessed with a plethora of attacking talent. Veteran striker and captain Ali Daei is the most prolific ever before in worldwide football with more than one hundred goals to his title and he topped the Asian scoring charts with nine qualifying targets. He will be 37 in Germany and this will certainly be his previous significant finals.

Hamburg’s Mehdi Mahdavika, who netted the decisive aim in opposition to the United States 8 decades ago and Bayern Munich’s Ali Karimi, who was crowned 2004 Asian Footballer of the Yr will be recognisable to the domestic audience. Mahdavika has emerged as Iran’s main attacking force in Daei’s twighlight years and has been provided license to support the attack somewhat than getting restricted to his conventional spot on the appropriate wing.

Striker Vahid Hashemian is an additional player with Bundesliga experience, plying his trade for Hannover 96 following a transfer from Bayern Munich, as does midfielder Fereydoon Zandi who plays for Kaiserslautern.

Iran are lead by Croatian coach Branko Ivankovic who has productively rebuilt the facet which failed to qualify for the 2002 finals soon after dropping to the Republic of Ireland in the play-offs.

Whilst the victory above the United States sticks in the memory, it is the country’s only victory in 6 attempts at the finals and overall the squad lacks experience at the highest level, especially in defence. Although Ivankovic has turned Iran’s fortunes close to, they will require much more than good morale to see them by way of a challenging qualifying group and their ultimate match against Angola could be their only opportunity of accomplishment.

Proposed Bet:Regardless of their development, it is not likely Iran will get something from their matches towards Mexico and Portugal but their attacking prowess could yield a ultimate match victory versus Angola at odds-against.Iran to beat Angola @ six/4

About the Writer

David Walker runs a no cost Entire world Cup bets site and written Globe Cup previews. A free 45-page Planet Cup guidebook is accessible from the site and characteristics a “free of charge Globe Cup football shirt” provide.