Analysis: Iran returns to old tactics in World Cup win vs Wales

MANILA, Philippines — There was a switch in tactics for Iran head coach Carlos Queiroz against Wales in the 2022 FIFA World Cup on Friday. His team went from a 5-3-2 against England to a 4-3-3 versus Wales. 

Iran was finally able to play the game they wanted when they reverted to the previous tactics employed by Queiroz — quick game in the air to one of their forwards who they were confident could muscle their way forward; players with good speed. 

He was able to employ that when Sardar Azmoun was available from injury and this time able to back Mehdi Taremi.

That is a staple of Queiroz’ play — quick attacking and physical football at a frenetic pace. 

Let’s be clear, they are not a possession oriented team. They play smash and grab style of football. And it has paid dividends for them under Queiroz. 

They have a 75% accuracy rate for long balls, and an even higher rate for getting the ball in the final third with 84%. It is about finishing as they are scoring at an 18% rate.

To illustrate Queiroz’ tactics, in his one year at Real Madrid, back in 2003-04 that featured the Galacticos of Zidane, Beckham, Figo, etc., Los Blancos scored a whopping 113 goals with a season best 72 in La Liga. However, they also conceded 75 goals with 54 coming in La Liga.

Everywhere he has coached, it is the same. They are a high scoring and entertaining team. The knock there is the lack of silverware. 

Make no mistake, this Iran team is good. 

During the second round of qualifications, they scored 34 goals. The team with the second most number of goals was Bahrain with 15. 

Granted the second round still does not have all the best squads. 

So when they progressed to the third round of qualifiers in a bracket that included South Korea with their galaxy of stars, Iran still topped the group.

They scored two more goals than South Korea in the third round of qualifying, 15-13.

In the two rounds Iran played in qualifying, Azmoun scored seven goals, Taremi and Alireza Jahanbakhsh added six each while Ahmad Noorollahi chipped in two goals. 

Incidentally, Iran are ranked 20th in the world.

If they are, why did they lose to England?

Queiroz’ tactics worked in the first 15 or so minutes as England was trying to figure out how to break the logjam in the middle of the park.

But players like Mason Mount and Jude Bellingham made runs to open up spaces and England’s quick passing did not give time for Iran to double team and dispossess the English players. 

When England broke through the midfield, Iran was on the back heel. And players like Harry Kane had no problems breaking their man down 1v1.

Now, it should be noted that Iran finished the game with two goals versus England, both came late in spite of the 6-2 loss.

The two goals against Wales also came late. And there too is another story.

From the second and third rounds to the first round of the 2022 Qatar World Cup, Iran has made a habit of scoring late goals. 

That simply means this team refuses to go quietly into the Arabian desert. 

Of the 51 goals scored during the second and third rounds as well as this ongoing World Cup, 17 goals came in the final 20 minutes. If you add goals scored from the 60th to the 69th minute, tack on another five goals. 

That is superb conditioning and firepower.

The win against Wales reprised their third round qualifying win versus Lebanon. 

Lebanon was leading 1-nil when Azmoun and Noorollahi scored one each in stoppage time. 

In beating Wales, Iran took away the midfield and forced more players to stay back and help out. As a result, there wasn’t much service to Gareth Bale up front. 

Now, Iran has moved into second spot of Group B with England on top because of goal difference. 

Queiroz’ boys take on the United States on November 30, 3 a.m. Manila time. 

It is a must win situation for all four teams — England, Iran, the United States, and Wales. 

The Iran-USA match will be televised on World Cup TV on Skycable as well as on the TapGo streaming application.