IPL clubs ranked 6th in Asia

-Iranian team to hold two preparation before Kuwait fixture

According to Iran football National team committee, Iran football National team with the newly appointed Manager, Ali Daei, will commence its first preparation camp prior to Kuwait fixture on Monday March 10th.

30 Players are to be invited by Daei to Iran training camp on March 10th and preparation training will resume until March 16th. The invited players will then be released to their clubs on March 17th to participate in their club teams’ last fixture of Iranian year.

The second round of preparation camp will commence on March 18 to prepare for Iran’s Friendly fixture against Bahrain on March 19th in Manama.

Iran National team will then head to Kuwait one day prior to their second 2010 World Cup Qualifying match against Kuwait National team on March 25th.


- Current National team Assistants probe to stay in charge

The new Technical team for Iran National football team is set to be unveiled in a meeting with Ali Daei, National team Committee announced on Sunday.

Iran Football Federation, following appointment of Ali Daei, as the new caretaker of Iranian team, is reported to have suggested current Assistant coaches, Mansour Ebrahimzadeh, Afshin Peyrovani and Karim Boustani, to continue their reign. However, Ali Daei is given the authority to choose his Assistants, although current Assistant coaches are probed to stay in charge for remainder of Iran’s 2010 World Cup Qualifying campaign.


- Nekounam to start team training in March

Javad Nekounam, Osasuna’s Iranian midfielder, who missed the season so far due to his sever right knee injury, is reported to commence his team training in last week of March.
According to Osasuna’s medical team, Javad Nekounam finished his light individual training at the end of February and can get back to Osasuna team training in the last week of March.


-Ali Daei to manage National team and Saipa simultaneously

Although appointed as Iran National football team’s Manager, Ali Daei will keep his Saipa Managerial position on their road to Asian Club Championship.

According to an agreement between Iran Football Federation and Saipa Officials, Ali Daei will manage both teams simultaneously. In this way, Ali Daei will leave Iran National team training to accompany Saipa in their Asian Club Championship game on March 12th and 19th, hence Iranian team will be coached by Daei's Assistants in Bahrain Friendly on March 19th.


-Iranian clubs ranked 6th in Asia

Mohsen Safaei Farahani, Iran’s former Football Federation, warned Iranian football officials of reduction of ACL spot for Iranian clubs if IPL situation does not improve.

Farahani explained: “Following my return from AFC club committee meeting, Asian leagues and club teams were evaluated and ranked for future Asian Club Championship spot, in which Iran was ranked 6th in Asia.”

He continued: “Among all Asian leagues, Japan was ranked first in Asia with 500 points, acquiring %90 of the points. South Korea, China, Saudi Arabia, and Australia were ranked below Japan and Iran was ranked lower than the five other Asian leagues. So I ask Iran Football officials to be cautious about this issue prior to AFC’s second round of Iran league visit on April 1st.”

Farahani warned: “If this issue is not taken seriously, Iran will get minimum number of spots for Asian Club Championship in future.” Farahani explained Iran’s negative points based on AFC evaluation and stated: “When I was at the helm of Transitory Board, I insisted on establishing IPL into NGO, as opposed to current state-funded league. Unfortunately after 7 years, IPL is still not an independent privatized league and is very much dependent on Football Federation. All of these have negative points by AFC and FIFA.”

Farahani said: “Currently there is a huge gap between Iran and other Asian countries in sufficient point for acquiring ACL spot, and this gap should be reduced to minimum. Iran Football Officials can reform the situation in two months if they follow the requirements more precisely.”


- Ali Karimi compensated for dazzling performance

Ali Karimi, Qatar Sport Club’s Iranian midfielder, who scored one goal and assisted another, in previous week, continued his solid performance for Al Qatar in Week 23rd, in which he recorded two assists and performed a starring display in Al Qatar’s 2-0 win over Al Shamal.

Al Qatar officials compensated their Iranian star with $1500.


- Kazemian on Target, Meidavoudi reach UAE Cup Final with Al Ahli

Following UAE Cup Semi-Final games, Al Ahli and Alwasl reached UAE Cup Final comfortably by defeating Al Shabab and Al Sharjah respectively.

In a tense match- up between Al Ahli and Al Shabab, Al Ahli defeated Al Shabab 3-1 as Javad Kazemian’s goal in minute 46 was not enough for Al Shabab. Milad Meidavoudi, Al Ahli’s newly signed striker, missed three scoring chances in this match.
In another match, Al Wasl defeated Al Sharjah 4-1.


-Enayati to leave Al Emirate

Al Emirate’s Iranian striker unveiled his definite transfer out of UAE’s Relegation favourite and stated his worries for Al Emirate’s relegation. Enayati did not rule out a return to Iran to play for his former team, Esteghlal, and stated his desire to play for a strong team next season and confirmed his careful consideration before choosing his next team disregarding the financial aspect of the offers.


-Shojaie pledges his future at Bundesliga

In a recent interview before Al Sharjah coach’s dismissal, Al Sharjah’s unsettled Iranian midfielder talked about his definite departure from UAE club by not extending his contract. Masoud Shojaei however, unlike many UAE-based Iranian players, does not intend to continue his career in UAE league and instead he looks further in Europe as his next destiny.

Masoud Shojaei, was previously linked with Wolfsburg in AL Sharjah’s overseas camp in Germany by reportedly training on trial for the German club. However despite Wolfsburg’s interest, Al Sharjah’s requested amount for Shojaei ‘s clause break was too high to seal the midfielder’s deal with Wolfsburg. Masoud Shojaei however is now able to leave the club at the end of season, and he firmly claims: “Don’t have any doubt that I’ll move to Europe next season, and most likely to Bundesliga.”