Beiranvand proves the real deal with ACL heroics
By Gabriel Tan FOX Sports Asia Football Editor
He gained international acclaim back in June when he saved a penalty from Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo on the biggest stage of all: the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
But, on Tuesday, gracing a lessglamorous platform, Alireza Beiranvand arguably produced a greater display that further enhances his status as one of the world’s top goalkeeping prospects.
With a 1-0 lead from the first leg, Persepolis only needed to avoid defeat at the Azadi Stadium on Tuesday to secure a first-ever AFC Champions League final appearance, but found itself behind after 17 minutes via a clinical finish from Baghdad Bounedjah.
There was little Beiranvand could have done to prevent the tournament’s leading scorer from notching his 13th goal of the campaign.
Then, two minutes before halftime, Al Sadd looked certain to score a vital second away goal when Hassan al-haydos got in behind the opposition defense, only for Beiranvand to race off his line with lightning-quick speed and deny the Qatar international one-on-one.
Persepolis capitalized on that close shave four minutes into the second half when Siamak Nemati volleyed home a Godwin Mensha cross to put his side back ahead on aggregate.
However, with the Qatari visitor coming hard and fast at the host as the game in the closing stages, Beiranvand again proved to be the man for the big occasion as he produced an outstanding point-blank range save from Spanish legend Xavi to secure his side’s progress.
Granted, an Asian semifinal does not quite have the same glamour as a World Cup tie against the European champion Portugal.
And nothing should be taken away from Beiranvand for keeping out a spot-kick from an icon like Ronaldo, who has won just about everything there is to win in world football.
Nonetheless, most would agree there is still an element of luck in saving a penalty, from the most basic premise of guessing the right direction in the first place.
The general consensus is that penalties are more likely to be scored rather than saved.
Rather, it is from open play where goalkeepers truly prove their ability and worth, and that is exactly what Beiranvand did on Tuesday in front of 81,350 fans.
His first major save – from Haydos – was impressive as it is with the 1.94-meter custodian proving to be as nimble as a smaller man, rushing out of his goal to deny an opponent from a clear-cut opening.
The one to stop a player of Xavi’s stature from scoring a goal which would have surely eliminated Persepolis and send Al Sadd through, with just four minutes left on the clock, was sheer brilliance.
To be fair, Beiranvand is far from the finished article.
Even in the Champions League this season, there have been instances where he has shown vulnerability but, at 26, he still has plenty of room for improvement.
One of his most-impressive attributes, which is also something that cannot be coached, is his proclivity to play at his best when it really matters.
Following his heroics for Iran at the World Cup, there was reportedly no shortage of offers from overseas for his services.
“After the World Cup we lost four or five good players and because of our transfer ban we couldn’t bring anyone in,” Beiranvand said on the Asian Football Confederation’s official website, in an interview done prior to Tuesday’s game.
“I had won the domestic championship for the past two years, but I felt I owed it to Persepolis to stay here for the AFC Champions League because I didn’t want to leave the club in a difficult situation.”
It may not yet be on par with European football the pinnacle of Asian football is now within reach for Beiranvand and Persepolis, who will meet Kashima Antlers in the two-legged final on November 3 and 10.
One gets the feeling it is only a matter of time before Beiranvand takes up one of his many suitors on their offer of playing abroad.
For now, the Champions League can look forward to being graced by one of the continent’s best goalkeepers for at least another two games.
Two games that are befitting of the man for the big occasion as he looks to hand Persepolis its maiden Champions League title. Julen Lopetegui grasped at the hope it could prove a turning point but Real Madrid’s 2-1 win over Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League is unlikely to guarantee his survival.
Madrid ended its run of five games without a victory, and three without avoiding defeat, while it scored twice in a match for the first time in over a month, AFP reported.
But away from streaks halted and a certain sense of pride restored, beating Plzen on Tuesday was never likely to save the coach, still less given the kind of win that came at the end of 12 nervy minutes, with Madrid hanging on for the whistle.
The fans whistled too at fulltime, disgruntled and unimpressed. Karim Benzema, the team’s best performer by a distance, and Marcelo, had put Real two up before the hour and had one or two of a handful of chances gone in, a more emphatic score might have lifted the mood.
As it was, Plzen’s openings were even clearer and the feeling afterward at the Santiago Bernabeu was the European champion had been fortunate. Barcelona will not be so generous on Sunday. Lopetegui focused on the result. “The important thing was to win this game, the players really needed it, and so did their coach,” he said. “For me, it could be a turning point. We created lots of very clear chances.”
Elsewhere in the stadium, however, the suspect quality of the performance could not be ignored. “We have to be honest,” said Casemiro. “We are not playing well but we have to trust these players and the coach. We are not in a good run but we have to work and overcome this situation.”
Even Lopetegui’s body language was more a picture of agitation than satisfaction. He had winced and grimaced his way through the second half, and cast a downbeat figure in his post-match press conference. “Have you studied psychology?” he replied to a journalist making the point. “I am feeling fine, I just don’t tend to smile very much generally.”
At the very least, it appears Lopetegui will remain in charge for the Clasico this weekend. “Yes, yes, absolutely – as normal,” club director Emilio Butrageuno said on Tuesday night.
A poll on Marca’s website on Wednesday asked whether he should. More than 100,000 had voted, with 55 per cent responding yes, 45 per cent no.
Uncertainty
The margins are small and it may be that club president Florentino Perez has already made up his mind, regardless of what happens at Camp Nou.
Defeat could serve as confirmation that change is required, with a series of kinder fixtures to come for a replacement.
Draw, or even win, and sacking Lopetegui would be harder to justify. After all, Madrid could be a point behind Barcelona on Sunday night.
On the pitch, there was enough in Madrid’s lively start against Plzen to suggest the players are still behind their coach but it was clear too the uncertainty has been absorbed.
Their confidence quickly dissipated under the slightest hint of pressure. Defensively, they were a mess.
“It’s difficult for everyone,” Benzema admitted, while defender Marcelo, taking a swipe at the media, added, “It’s hard when you do not win.
“But all journalists try to hurt the players, out of envy, because they don’t know how to play football.”
Marcelo took a knock late on but suggested it was nothing serious. “It was a hard blow,” he said. “But I’m fine now.” Lopetegui’s recovery will not be so easy.