AFC - Captain Ali Daei and the influential
Mehdi Mahdavikia will miss Iran’s friendly with fellow 2006 World Cup
qualifiers Korea Republic next Wednesday, according to reports.
Iran coach Branko Ivankovic has rested Daei, the most prolific striker in
international football with more than 100 goals, and Hamburg midfielder
Mahdavikia because of recent injuries.
Daei was fit enough to play for his club side Saba Battery earlier this week
and netted twice in their 3-1 over Sepahan in the Iran Pro League.
Bayern Munich midfielder Ali Karimi, the 2004 AFC Player of the Year, is in
the squad along with other Germany-based stars Vahid Hashemian, Ferydoon
Zandi and Moharram Navidkia.
In form striker Arash Borhani, who scored three goals for Pas in two matches
with Al Ain in the AFC Champions League quarter-finals, was also named in
the 22-man squad.
Korea Republic’s new coach Dick Advocaat will take charge of the team for
the first time against Iran in Seoul next Wednesday and he has called up the
big guns, Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-sung and recent Spurs signing
Lee Young-pyo.
Iran were due to play the Thailand under-23 side in Bangkok on Saturday
before heading to Korea but called off the match last week.