FIFA World Cup 2018: Statistical Analysis of Iran

Iran became the first side from the Asian continent to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2018 in Russia. Here is a detailed analysis of the team.

World Cup History:

The Asian country is making its fifth appearance in the World Cup.

Unfortunately, they have always had to make an exit from the tournament from the group-stage itself every single time in their previous attempts.

Iran is known to be a country which has produced a number of goal-scoring talents and their Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz will be looking to make use of these assets.

Among these are the current crop of blistering players such as Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Sardar Azmoun and Mehdi Taremi.

Meanwhile, the team has also fixed their leaky defence issue by having a decent backline to support the attack.

Iran is clubbed in Group B with Portugal, Spain, and Morocco.

Full Squad:

Goalkeepers: Alireza Beiranvand (Persepolis), Rashid Mazaheri (Zob Ahan), Amir Abedzadeh (Maritimo).

Defenders: Majid Hosseini (Esteghlal), Ramin Rezaeian (Ostende), Mohammad Reza Khanzadeh (Padideh), Morteza Pouraliganji (Alsaad), Pejman Montazeri (Esteghlal), Milad Mohammadi (Akhmat Grozny), Roozbeh Cheshmi (Esteghlal).

Midfielders Saeid Ezatolahi (Amkar Perm), Masoud Shojaei (AEK Athens), Mehdi Torabi (Saipa), Omid Ebrahimi (Esteghlal), Ehsan Haji Safi (Olympiacos), Karim Ansarifard (Olympiacos), Vahid Amiri (Persepolis).

Forwards: Alireza Jahanbakhsh (AZ Alkmaar), Mehdi Taremi (Al Gharafa), Sardar Azmoun (Rubin Kazan), Reza Ghoochannejhad (Heerenveen), Saman Ghoddos (Ostersunds), Ashkan Dejagah (Nottingham Forest).

World Cup — Iran Football Team. Photo Courtesy: Twitter

Probable Playing XI:

Beiranvand, Rezaeian, Montazeri, Pouraliganji, Mohammadi, Jahanbakhsh, Ansarifard, Dejagah (C), Hajsafi, Taremi, Azmoun

Key Players:

Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Sardar Azmoun, Mehdi Taremi

Interesting Tidbit:

Iran has the title of having the highest ever goal-scorer in the international competition. Ali Daei played for his country from 1993-2006 and scored 109 goals in 149 appearances.