Iran’s World Cup hopes rest on AZ Alkmaar’s Alireza Jahanbakhsh

The ESPN FC panel break down Group B where they feel Portugal and Spain are favourites over Morocco and Iran.

From Ligue 1 to the German Cup, check out all the best finishes from across the footballing world this midweek.
It is not often that free-scoring forwards have to step out of the shadow of miserly defenders to take the spotlight, but that is what Alireza Jahanbakhsh will be doing this June.
Iran’s defence made all the headlines in Asia during qualification for the 2018 World Cup, conceding just two goals in 10 games in the final group stage of qualification. But Jahanbakhsh is the man who can take Team Melli to a first-ever place in the second round. After all, the 24-year-old is one of the most in-form players…

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Cristiano Ronaldo still ‘the best player in the world’ – Iran’s Carlos Queiroz

The FC crew praise Cristiano Ronaldo for his leadership, particularly with Karim Benzema, as Real Madrid’s captain in their win over Alaves.

ESPN FC’S Gab Marcotti and Craig Burley each make cases for Spain and Portugal to win Group B.
Iran coach Carlos Queiroz is looking forward to facing “the best player in the world” this summer when his team take on Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal at the World Cup in Russia.
The Asian country qualified for their fifth World Cup and were drawn with Portugal, the team Queiroz coached at the 2010 World Cup, as well as Spain and Morocco in Group B.
Iran will face Portugal in their final group game on June 25 and Queiroz, who is Portuguese, is excited.
“As a Portuguese coach, I think that playing…

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Carlos Queiroz dares Iran to sack him as coach after World Cup demands

Jason Dasey and PJ Roberts evaluate Australia’s World Cup group and assess whether they or any other Asian teams can progress.

The ESPN FC panel break down Group B where they feel Portugal and Spain are favourites over Morocco and Iran.

Jason Dasey and PJ Roberts discuss possible successors to Ange Postecoglou and preview the highly anticipated World Cup draw.
Carlos Queiroz has told football authorities in Iran to remove him from his role as the nation’s head coach if they do not cede to his demands for more support for his team’s Russia 2018 preparations.
The demand came after the Iranians were drawn in Group B for next June’s World Cup finals when they will meet Portugal, Spain and Morocco.
Iran are one of a record five Asian nations to have made the World Cup, along with Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Australia.
Queiroz has qualified Team Melli…

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Carlos Queiroz eyes World Cup clash for Iran vs. Ronaldo’s Portugal

The ESPN FC panel break down Group B where they feel Portugal and Spain are favourites over Morocco and Iran.
Iran coach Carlos Queiroz will take on his home nation Portugal, 2010 champions Spain and Morocco as Asia’s five qualifiers for next year’s World Cup finals in Russia were handed a series of demanding draws.
Former Manchester United assistant boss Queiroz coached Portugal at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa in his second stint in charge of the national team.
Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Australia also learned their fate in Moscow on Friday evening as the continent’s record representation…

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World Cup Group B: Portugal, Spain, Iran, Morocco

The ESPN FC crew discuss the World Cup draw.

The ESPN FC crew discuss the World Cup draw.

An intimidating group? Spain and Portugal stand out as the two favourites to progress, but in Iran and Morocco they have been drawn against two tricky teams who are absolutely capable of bloodying noses. Morocco were the only African nation to qualify without conceding a goal, and their sturdy defence will be required if they are to make it through, while Iran have Saman Ghoddos, the Ostersunds attacker who is obviously used to causing upsets. The European sides should go through, but it won’t…

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Brazil stun Germany late; Spain cruise into semifinals of U17 World Cup

Paulinho scored a stunning goal in the 77th minute to send Brazil into the semifinals of the FIFA U17 World Cup.
KOLKATA, India — Brazil scored twice in a six-minute span in the second half to beat Germany 2-1 Sunday in the quarterfinals of the Under-17 World Cup in India.
Substitute Weverson levelled the score with a powerful strike in the 71st minute before Paulinho’s strong finish in the 77th earned Brazil a semifinal place against England.
Germany looked on top in the first half — despite a passionate crowd of 66,613 backing Brazil — and opened the scoring in the 21st minute. Jann-Fiete Arp converted…

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FIFA ban Saeid Ezatolahi for Iran’s World Cup opener

Iran’s Saeid Ezatolahi, left, will miss his country’s World Cup opener in Russia.
ZURICH — FIFA has banned Iran midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi from his team’s first game at the World Cup.
FIFA says its disciplinary panel imposed a two-game suspension on the 21-year-old Ezatolahi for his red card against South Korea in a qualifying match in Seoul on Aug. 31.
Ezatolahi brought his boot down on the head of South Korea midfielder Kim Min-jae, who had fallen facing the turf after the two clashed in an aerial challenge.
The first game of Ezatolahi’s suspension was served by missing a…

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