FIFA World Cup:
Qalenoei ‘proud’, but rues poor finishing in Egypt stalemate
Iran head coach Amir Qalenoei praised his team’s unbeaten World Cup campaign but lamented its profligacy in front of goal after a 1-1 draw against Egypt in a thrilling final Group G match in Seattle on Friday.
Iranian center-back Shoja Khalilzadeh thought he had scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner, only for the Iranian bench’s wild celebrations to be cut short after his strike was chalked off by VAR for a marginal offside.
Saeid Ezzatollahi, meanwhile, headed against the woodwork in the seventh minute of added time as the draw, coupled with Belgium’s 5-1 hammering of New Zealand in the simultaneous fixture, saw Iran finish third in the group with three points and remain in limbo over a maiden knockout-stage appearance in seven World Cup campaigns.
Despite missing out on an automatic place in the last 32, Team Melli made history by avoiding defeat in all three group-stage matches for the first time at the World Cup.
However, Qalenoei and his players were left waiting for the conclusion of the group stage to learn whether they had secured a last-32 meeting with Switzerland on Saturday as one of the eight best third-placed teams across the 12 groups.
Results elsewhere earlier in the day had already guaranteed Egypt a place in the knockout stage before kick-off at Lumen Field, but the African side still made the brighter start and took the lead through Mahmoud Saber inside five minutes.
Iran responded impressively and, although captain Mahdi Taremi saw his penalty saved by Mostafa Shobeir, the Asian side equalized shortly afterwards when Ramin Rezaeian smashed in a rebound from a tight angle in the 14th minute to become Iran’s all-time top scorer in World Cup history with three goals.
Before the dramatic finale, Taremi also headed against the crossbar from a corner late in the game, although the referee had already blown for a foul, meaning the goal would not have counted.
“Let me say how proud I am of my country, my people, and this team,” Qalenoei said after the match, praising his players, who have competed at the World Cup against the backdrop of Iran’s conflict with co-host the United States.
“We created plenty of chances and could have won. They scored from one opportunity, while we failed to convert 10. We also had a goal ruled out by VAR, and they say the scorer was offside by just five centimeters.”
The Iranian, only the third domestic coach to lead Team Melli at a World Cup since its debut in 1978, added: “Despite everything we had to deal with, justice was not done for us.
“Perhaps this is another test from God. I believe in my team. We are a very complete side in attack. Now we have to wait and see what tomorrow brings. I also want to thank all the Iranian supporters, both inside and outside the stadium.”
Qalenoei also criticized what he described as the hosts’ treatment of his team throughout the tournament.
“What these young players have achieved deserves to be etched in history because the host treated us in the worst possible way,” he said.
“Had we been allowed to arrive for the World Cup two weeks earlier, the team would have adapted better. Even our request to arrive two days earlier before this match, so we could prepare properly and remain in one place to recover, was not granted. If that had happened, we might have been in our best physical condition.”
Reflecting on Iran’s campaign, Qalenoei highlighted several positives.
“There are a few important takeaways from these three matches. In all three games, the Player of the Match came from Iran. For the first time in our World Cup history, we finished the group stage unbeaten. I always thought we were an oppressed team in this tournament, but now I realize we are unlucky as well. Overall, these players deserve enormous credit.”
The coach also contrasted Iran’s preparations with those of its opponents. “Egypt played Brazil and England in warm-up matches before the tournament, while we faced very ordinary teams. That affected our technical, tactical, and physical preparation. Despite all that, the Iranian national team has earned the admiration of people around the world, and many want to see us remain in this tournament. We now hope tomorrow’s results go our way. The rest is in God’s hands.”
He acknowledged the unusual nature of his team’s preparations.
“It’s actually ridiculous that two World Cup matches ended up serving as warm-up games. But if we qualify, we’ll be in even better condition than we were today.”
Qalenoei also criticized his team’s travel arrangements during the tournament.
“Scientifically and physiologically, players are at their lowest physical level immediately after a match. If you then make them travel straight to high altitude, recovery is delayed by several days. This is the third time this has happened to us. Now we have to travel back to Tijuana again, which means another three hours on the road. We were treated very badly, and I hope the world recognizes that.
“I ask FIFA not to allow host countries to treat teams this way at future World Cups. I hope President Gianni Infantino takes action against this kind of behavior.”