Editorial: Branko was back

Today not only Iran qualified for the upcoming Asian Cup but we could also see an old face back on Iran’s bench, namely Branko Ivankovic. He was wearing a grey suit and looking like Esteghlal championship manager Amir Ghalenoi but it was Branko. Jokes aside, it was Ghalenoi but for a moment I thought it was same old Branko, just a bit braver than before (though not brave enough). 

Ghalenoi, as soon as he got in charge, made sure he changed some things around so he can give a picture that he’s the one running the show. The Iranian dropped a few players, invited a few new players and changed to a new playing style with a three back. 

A few months have now passed and Ghalenoi is more and more leaning towards Branko’s tactics. Today there were more similarities than differences to Branko’s team. The differences were, (1) Ghalenoi was braver than Branko ever was for the left back position, (2) Mahdavikia was played as right back and Kaabi as right wing, (3) I can’t come up with a three. With the lack of differences lets have a look at the similarities, (1) same 4-4-2, (2) two central defensive midfielders in Nekounam and Teimourian, (3) Karimi as left wing, (4) same forwards in absence of Daei and Hashemian (5) still no game plan in offence. 

To clear any possible confusion caused by the IRIB reporters, Iran played with a 4-4-2 formation (see picture). Many voices had earlier been raised for changing position between Mahdavikia and Kaabi and for the first time this did happen. If that wasn’t a mistake, playing with both Andranik and Javad certainly was. Ghalenoi balanced two offensive wingbacks with two defensive midfielders centrally, a smart and logic choice against strong opponents but certainly a self-suicide against much weaker opponents. 

Iran’s lack of creativity in central midfield was the one biggest reason for Iran’s bad football and bad result against Chinese Taipei. Playing with the two holding midfielders caused a big box of empty grass between Iran’s two forward and it’s nonexistent offensive midfield. Playing Karimi as left wing caused Iran to lose width on the left side, decreasing the area the opponents had to defend. The idea must have been to have Nouri overlapping Karimi on the left side to be Iran’s width but this didn’t happen and I doubt Karimi made one single offensive pass to his left in the opponents half. 

Poor display but three points and qualification and now Ghalenoi can look forward to 2007, or can he?