Jara hails Mahdavikia's performance

Berlin - Hamburger SV coach Kurt Jara praised the recent performances of the Iranian international striker Mehdi Mahdavikia in the German Bundesliga, comparing him with football superstars like England's David Beckham and Portugal's Luis Figo, the daily Hamburger Morgen Post reported Saturday.
"He (Mahdavikia) certainly does not have to hide himself behind these players," said Jara, referring to Manchester United's Beckham and Real Madrid's Figo.
Considering Mahdavikia as the best right winger in the German professional football league, Jara voiced his concern that the former Pirouzi (Persepolis) player could be signed up by other top European teams, following the expiration of Mahdavikia's contract in the summer of 2004.
The soft-spoken 25-year-old striker is currently leading the Bundesliga assist list with 11 and has played a decisive role in his team's recent string of victories.
One of this season's surprises, Hamburg is at the sixth place with 33 points out of 21 games and has a realistic chance of earning a European champions league berth.