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IRAN
The Stars Heading For France 98

THE COACH

Tomislav Ivic
Veteran Croatian coach, appointed in January this year. A player with Hajduk Split, he has coached across Europe with Anderlecht, Galatasaray, Avellino in Italy, Panathinaikos, Dinamo Zagreb, Porto (twice), Paris St-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Marseille, Benfica, and the Croatia and United Arab Emirates national sides. Will turn 65 during France 98.

GOALKEEPERS

Ahmad Abedzadeh
Captain and first-choice keeper, an international for more than a decade. Can be a little too theatrical, but still an accomplished performer.
Born: 26.5.66. Club: Pirouzi. Caps: 70. Goals: 0

Parvis Broumand
Promising young keeper and likely third choice in France.
Born: 1975. Club: Esteghlal. Caps 0. Goals: 0

Nima Nakisa
Plays second fiddle to Abedadeh for club and country. Talented but has a suspect temperament.
Born: 1.5.75. Club: Pirouzi. Caps: 7. Goals: 0

DEFENDERS

Akbar Ostad Asadi
Bags of experience on the left-hand side but at 32 is starting to lose pace and confidence.
Born: 17.9.65. Club: Zobe Ahan. Caps: 31 caps. Goals: 0

Farshad Falahatzadeh
Strong centre-back, back in the squad after serving a six-month ban for drug charges.
Born: 1969. Club: Bahman. Caps: 12. Goals: 0

Mohammad Khakpour
The cornerstone of Iran's defence, has played club football in Turkey and Singapore.
Born: 20.2.69. Club: Bahman. 35 caps. Goals: 0

Mehdi Pashazadeh
Young central defender who is becoming a key man under Ivic. In Rest of the World Xl that met Europe before December's World Cup draw.
Born: 27.12.73. Club: Esteghlal. Caps: 3. Goals: 0

Afsin Peyrovani
First-choice sweeper is competent but prone to lapses in concentration.
Born: 6.2.70. Club: Pirouzi. Caps: 36. Goals: 0

Reza Rezaeimanesh
Tough-tackling centre-back who should make the squad as a reserve.
Born: 1970. Club: Pirouzi. 12 caps. Goals: 0

Reza Shahroudi
Attacking left-back whose game has improved since his move to Turkey. Expect him to be in the starting line-up.
Born: 21.2.72. Club: Altay (Tur). Caps: 33. Goals: 5

MIDFIELDERS

Karim Bagheri
One of Iran's three German-based players, Bagheri was the overall top scorer in the France 98 qualifying rounds with 19 goals, including seven in the 17-0 humiliation of Maldives. A good all-round forward.
Born: 20.2.74. Club: Arminia Bielefeld (Ger).Caps: 38. Goals: 33


 
  Sirous Deenmohammadi
Former regular recalled by Ivic, might make the squad for France.
Born: 1969. Club: Shahrdari. Caps: 15. Goals: 0

Hamid Estili
Plays alongside Bagheri in central midfield, doing the spade work for his prolific partner. An experienced operator who had a spell in Singapore.
Born: 1.4.67. Club: Bahman. Caps: 44. Goals: 6

Farhad Majidi
Talented youngster with good technique, will go to France for the experience.
Born: 3.6.76. Club: Esteghlal. Caps: 13 caps. Goals: 2

Ali Mansourian
Clever but inconsistent player, a place on the subs' bench awaits him.
Born: 2.12.71. Club: Esteghlal. Caps: 33. Goals: 6

Mehdi Mahdavikia
Versatile performer who appeared in all 17 of Iran's qualifying games. Tipped for a move to Borussia Dortmund after the World Cup.
Born: 24.7.77. Club: Pirouzi. Caps: 24. Goals: 5

Mehrdad Minavend
Left-sided attacker with great potential. Needs to be more consistent.
Born: 3.11.75. Club: Pirouzi. Caps: 23. Goals: 3

Naeem Saadavi
Hard-worker on the right-hand side and likely to be used at wing-back. Returned to the national team for the play-off against Australia after serving a ban for drug abuse.
Born: 1973. Club: Pirouzi. Caps: 18. Goals: 1

FORWARDS

Ali Akbarpour
Talented youngster who could be given his debut at the World Cup.
Born: 1975. Club: Esteghlal. Caps: 0. Goals: 0

Khodadad Azizi
Iran's star man. The former Asian Footballer of the Year is quick and skilful and could shine in France. Has established himself in the Bundesliga this season and won't fear the German defence when the two nations meet on June 25. He links well with Ali Daei.
Born: 22.6.71. Club: Cologne (Ger). Caps: 27. Goals: 10

Ali Daei
Tall, effective finisher (imaginatively nicknamed ‘The Finisher') who completes Iran's German-based trio. Has been scoring regularly for his club since the mid-season winter break and is aiming to carry that form into the Finals.
Born: 21.3.69. Club: Arminia Bielefeld (Ger). Caps: 52. Goals: 38

Sattar Hamedani
Promising prospect who should make Ivic's final 22.
Born: 1976. Club: Bahman. Caps: 3. Goals: 0

Asghar Modir Rousta
Often comes on as a substitute for Daei, but hasn't reproduced prolific club form at international level.
Born: 1968. Club: Bahman. Caps: 30. Goals: 9

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