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G6 Team Profile: IRAN
Critics say that this year’s Iranian squad is desperate to make their mark on the world stage. It will be Team Melli’s third trip to the World Cup, the first in eight years, after a struggle to reach the top of their Asian region. But there is more than just desperation surrounding their journey to the finals. Iran will be sending their best squad ever to Germany, bursting with youthful talent along with a strong core of trusty, veteran leaders.
When it comes to Iranian soccer, you can’t get past any commentary that doesn’t include seasoned striker Ali Daei (Saba Battery). He holds the record as the all-time leading goal scorer in international matches, with a spectacular 107 goals in 143 matches. At 36 years old, Daei’s goal-scoring savvy is still on point. He was the leading scorer in Asia last year and is now captain of the team. Expect him to score some killer goals in Germany, just as he did in Iran’s last three matches.
Twenty-seven-year-old Ali Karimi (Bayern Munich) leads the pack of youngsters that are set to make some great impressions. Nicknamed the “Wizard of Tehran,” Karimi has also been called the “Persian Maradona.” His strong performances at Bayern Munich, where he scored in his Champions League debut, and with Iran made Karimi the Asian Player of the Year 2004.
Mehdi Mahdavikia (SV Hamburg) is another young Iranian player honing his skills in Germany. “The Rocket’s” speed, sharp vision and passing skills, and acute ability to set pieces will surely be of use. Rounding out the foursome are Ferydoon Zandi (FC Kaiserslautern) and Vahid Hashemian (Hannover), also with experience on German turf.
While youth can be a strength, many are calling it an issue for Iran. Fifteen players on the roster recently are between 21 and 25 years old, an overwhelmingly large number to be playing in the World Cup for the first time. But many have faith that this highly-praised squad will persevere.
Comments
Iran isnt good at soccer and i hope the U.S. kills them in a match!
Posted by: t dizzle | May 27, 2006 04:41 PM
Iran isnt good at soccer and i hope the U.S. kills them in a match!
Posted by: t dizzle | May 27, 2006 04:42 PM
iran is amazing at soccer and could beat holland any day. forget what i said earlier
!!!!!!
Posted by: t dizzle | May 28, 2006 04:09 PM
iran is great team ,of corse they have not enough experience but we (iran) beleve them and pry for them
Posted by: dariush | May 31, 2006 05:05 AM
i want to fight t dizzle
Posted by: korosh | May 31, 2006 05:08 AM
iran is the worst team in the cup and i think ivory coast will beat them in the cup. Iran should not have been accepted into the World Cup!
Posted by: t dizzle | May 31, 2006 04:49 PM
mate too bad Iran has already beten the USA hahahaha and you guys ranked in the top 10 is a joke, only because you play bad teams like jamaica lol. you guyz are the worst face it you are the WORST COUNTRY in the world and the WORST SOCCER COUNTRY IN THE WORLD
Posted by: Proud Persian | June 2, 2006 05:09 AM
Dizzle IRAN RULES and You know it...... America is crap lol
Posted by: Proud Persian | June 2, 2006 05:11 AM
yeah, Iran beat USA already, and also, what teams does USA play, no one, they have no competition whatsoever, when USA actually did play someone worth playing like Germany, they got slaughtered 4-1, USA is getting better though
Posted by: ---- | June 6, 2006 12:56 PM
Iran football team in the WC2006 competitions couldn't to show your real power and ability. because of struggles between football federation's boss and governers.
Posted by: Riza | April 15, 2007 04:47 AM
i love iran
Posted by: ali | May 3, 2007 07:57 AM