Following a goalless draw between Iran and China on September 5 last year, Iranian forward Mehdi Taremi recently reflected on how the Chinese national team has evolved—particularly under the leadership of renowned Italian coach Marcello Lippi. Previously managed by Gao Hongbo, the Chinese team struggled in the early stages of the World Cup qualifiers. But since Lippi took over, Taremi sees a significant shift in their gameplay and potential.
“The first few matches were led by another coach, but now they’ve brought in the legendary Lippi,” Taremi said. “He has made systemic changes, and the team is playing much better. It’s going to be a tough match. China definitely has a strong chance.” Comparing the change to a complete reboot, Taremi acknowledged that their upcoming fixture would be no walk in the park. “If we want the three points, we need to stay focused, play our game, and control the match,” he added with quiet confidence.
Taremi, 24, plays both as a striker and a winger for Iran’s powerhouse club Persepolis. In the previous match against Qatar, he scored the winning goal, securing a 1–0 victory that kept Iran at the top of the group table. His form for the national team has been especially strong. “With Coach Carlos Queiroz, I’ve grown a lot. I honestly think I perform better for the national team than at the club level,” Taremi said.
Iran’s offensive line is loaded with young talent. Sardar Azmoun, 22, is making waves at FC Rostov, while Alireza Jahanbakhsh, 23, is shining at AZ Alkmaar. Alongside them are Mehdi Ansari (25) and Masoud Hassanzadeh (26), while the oldest in the group, Reza Ghoochannejhad, is still under 30. This youthful core gives Iran a dynamic edge.
“In the past, we had a strong team,” Taremi noted. “But now, we have even more potential with younger, more skilled players. That wasn’t always the case before. This generation puts us in a great position for long-term success.”
As Iran sharpens its focus for the World Cup qualifiers, the buzz around the Live Cricket BPL mirrors the energy and excitement building across Asia’s sporting scene. Just like Live Cricket BPL showcases emerging talent and tactical brilliance on the pitch, Iran’s national team is doing the same in football—blending youth, experience, and ambition for a brighter future.