When Kenya’s National Football team the Harambee Stars landed a match against Iran, it received mixed reactions with some people stating that the team was biting more than it could chew. While in some corners, it was taken in good light as such high profile friendly matches would help the team attain the required levels and also work towards giving exposure to the local based players for scouts all around the world.In this piece, we look at what to expect and how ‘Team Melli’ the Iranian National team set’s up in the various phases of the game, drawing inspiration from their showing against Russia in a recent friendly match. Noting that the team is under the tutelage of new manager Amir Galenoi, he will be looking to trial and look to improve certain areas and further instill his blue print on the team.🚨 Our sources have revealed that the young players invited to the national team are not actively taking part in the tactical training sessions.Rather, they’ve been advised to observe and learn from the more experienced players, among them Amin Hazbavi and Mohammad Eslami. pic.twitter.com/RrmFIxe6Op— Persian Soccer (@prznsoccer) March 23, 2023 Coming off a rather disappointing world cup where Iran shipped in 7 goals, only mustering a single win. The Iranians will not only look to qualify for the next edition of the World cup but also go one further in the competition by reaching the group stages of the tournament.General Team structure.Iran set up in a 1-4-4-1-1 formation on paper, the main emphasis to note from the Iranians was the use of a double pivot and a double striking partnership. With the interesting alteration of inverting the wide players to create numerical superiorities centrally, while giving the width to the ball side fullback to attack the wide areas.##NAJAVA_MECA_7126058##Attacking Phase.Build Up.From goalkicks against Russia, Iran looked to alternate between low and high output. When the goalkeeper, the experienced Alireza Beiranvad, played low, the center backs would split and one fullback would stay low,majorly the fullback Shoja Kaliladzeh while Ramin Rezaeian would stay high and pin the opponents back. The double pivots would drop deep to allow for angles of progressions and drag the Russians out so as to create space for the attacking players.The goalkeper could majorly go long when pressed high , with this he will look to play a long ball into the channels for a flick or a knock down by striker Mohammad Mohebi then have runners beyond him.Progression In the progression phase, Iran adopts a 1-3-4-3 shape, where they look to combine on the flanks with wide overloads. They also create central overloads between the lines to be able to combine well. Iran look to play the first pass forward to willing runners in behind, with Mohammed Moheba and Mehdi Tahremi dangerous in this instance.Creation Phase.The attackers of the team, look to play in the shoulders of the opposition defenders when the long balls in behind are played. Their jersey no.10, Shahriar Moghanlou joins the attack. The main difference from the world cup team and the current set up is how Iran look to work the ball into the box, they look for neat combination play and may take too many touches, in a way baiting the opposition to foul them in the penalty area .They Iranians are also not shot shy, against Russia they took 22 shots, with half of these 22 from outside the box. In Shahriar Moghanlou, Mehdi Tahremi and their captain Ehnan Haji Safi they have some really good ball strikers.🥅 GOOAAALL MEHDI TAREMI! pic.twitter.com/Zwt5HmbKGx— Gol Bezan (@GolBezan) March 10, 2023 Defensive Phase.High Press.In the pressing front, Amir Galenoi’s men are well oiled in this phase. They press in a 1-4-2-3-1 shape where they employ a man to man pressing structure. It alternates to a 1-4-4-2 shape when the second striker jumps to press. They force the opposition center back to one side then go man to man, looking to use the touchline as the extra defender. The Russians found it really hard to beat the Iranian press and conceded 2 big chances because of the pressing situation.Mid Block.The Iranians employ a 1-4-1-4-1 shape with the defensive midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi playing in a zonal role and looking to pick up any opposition players that will drift between the lines. They look to funnel the opposition wide. The Iranians are however not very compact and opponents can pick them apart with bodies between the lines and overloads on the wide areas.Attacking Transitions.The Iranians are very dangerous on attacking transitions; they look to play direct balls to the attacking offensive players. The main outlet is the center forward Mohammad Mohabi who drops deep to allow runners in behind or knocks down the ball for the advancing midfielders to quickly switch play to the advancing far side fullbacks or wingersDefensive Transitions.Iran are at their weakest when defending transitions as the midfielders are hesitant in stepping out, they can be carved apart by counters noting that they also have no pace in the backline hence the struggle.Tactical analysis of how Ghana lined up against Angola in Chris Hughton’s first match in chargeSet Plays.On direct free kicks Iran will look to shoot directly at goals with Ehsan Haji Safi very dangerous on these set pieces with his left foot.The Iranians look to play short corners when the opportunity avails itself but opt for long in swinging deliveries to the far post.Key Player.Mehdi TahremiIran’s man to watch will most definitely be Mehdi Taremi, the lethat Porto forward will for sure be a thorn in Harambee stars defence. The forward has 19 goals contributions for Portuguese giants Porto this season and was the man of the match in their friendly against Russia. His penalty box insistinct and ability to get a shot off quickly make him very dangerous.Maxine Wahome’s bond hearing set for Wednesday 29 MarchIt will for sure be a top learning experience for the Harambee Stars against top opposition. The key to the game could be how the Harambee Stars look to utilize their attacking transitions and how they will defend the long balls in behind and into the Iranian offensive players.
