FIFA - Since his debut on 1 December 1998, Vahid Hashemian has
earned 43 international caps for Iran, scoring 13 goals so far. Had he not
retired the international scene for four years after the AFC Asian Cup in 2000,
his record for Team Melli would almost certainly make even more
impressive reading.
Since returning to the national fold, the 32-year-old
has developed into a first-choice regular and key member of the team. He started
all three of Iran’s matches at the 2006 FIFA World Cup™, a feat he repeated at
the Asian Cup the following year.
Current Iran boss Ali Daei appears to
be just as convinced as his predecessors by the man nicknamed 'The Helicopter'
for his startling leaping ability. Hashemian, currently back on the books at VfL
Bochum after spells with Bayern Munich and Hanover, has started three of his
country’s four games so far in the decisive Asian qualifying round for the 2010
FIFA World Cup South Africa.
Iran currently lie third in Asian qualifying
Group 2, where they are battling with Korea Republic, Korea DPR, Saudi Arabia
and the UAE for a place in South Africa. FIFA.com talked to the
striker about the qualifying task, Iranian fans and his time in
Germany.
FIFA.com: Vahid Hashemian, what’s your take on Iran’s
1-1 home draw with Korea Republic in your most recent FIFA World Cup
qualifier?
Vahid Hashemian: It was a very difficult
game for me personally, because my mother died a few days previously.
Originally, I didn’t want to play, but the coach asked me if I would. We played
very well and led until close to the end. It’s not a bad result for
us.
Tell us what it feels like playing in front of thousands of
passionate Iranian fans in Tehran.
We sometimes attract crowds of up
to 100,000, and they’re there to see us win. It’s a real motivating factor, and
their support can give us a real edge.
Your next 2010 FIFA World
Cup South Africa qualifier on 28 March is a crucial clash with Saudi Arabia.
What are your thoughts on the game?
Saudi Arabia will be determined
to beat us at our place under their new coach, as they’re fourth in the table at
present. The Saudis have always been stronger in the latter stages of
qualifying, although I can’t say why. In any case, it’s no concern of ours. We
want to take our chance and win the game, which would make our route to South
Africa a lot easier.
Iran lie third in Group 2 behind Korea
Republic and Korea DPR, out of the qualifying places for South Africa. What’s
your view on qualifying so far?
Korea Republic are a good team, but
not as good as they were in the past, in my opinion. Korea DPR battle away and
run till they drop, and have come on very nicely. Our team are good enough to
qualify for the World Cup finals. Saudi Arabia are a decent side too, but they
seem to have problems away from home.
In the event Iran book a fourth FIFA World Cup
trip to add to your previous appearances in 1978, 1998 and 2006, which team in
your group do you see claiming the second place in South Africa?
I
think it’ll be Korea Republic. I think we’ll finish top of the group with the
South Koreans second. But there’s still a long way to go, and nothing’s decided
yet.
How has the appointment of Ali Daei influenced the
team?
He’s been head coach for a year or so now. He’s brought in a
lot of young, new faces, which is good news for us. He’s put his faith in both
younger and more experienced players. He’s also hired respected German coach
Erich Rutemoeller, which will definitely help us develop.
What
role do you and Karim Bagheri, the most experienced current internationals, play
in the Iran team?
I think our experience is important, but we have
to keep on delivering the goods too. Karim’s a star in the Iranian league. You
don’t rejuvenate a team overnight, it’s a process and it takes a while. We
respect the younger players, and the feeling’s mutual.
You’ve now
spent almost a decade in the German Bundesliga. How has that helped you on the
international stage with Iran?
Every training session and match in
Germany is good preparation for doing the business at the right moment for
Iran.
You returned to former club Bochum this season after spells
with Bayern Munich and Hanover, but you’ve made very few appearances in the
2008/09 Bundesliga campaign. What is stopping you claiming a regular place in
the Bochum side?
I’ve always been open about my love for Bochum.
Bochum is home to me. I’ve been a little unlucky this season with ligament and
back injuries. But you don’t always get what you want in football. I need to be
patient and train hard. We strikers are judged on goals, and I hope I’ll soon be
given another chance to score goals for VfL.
Are you afraid the
situation at your club may affect your position in the Iran
team?
I’m trying to give it my best shot in Bochum, and I hope I’ll
be back to playing regularly in the Bundesliga again soon. But we have very high
standards in training here, Ali Daei has continued to call me up, and I’ve then
gone on and played. At the end of the day, it’s a decision for the coach, both
at club and country level.
You are now 32, so are you considering
a move back home to finish your career in Iran?
No, the opposite in
fact. I want to finish my career in Germany and then perhaps return to Iran as a
coach. I’ve already earned my German FA ‘B’ licence, and I want to go for an ‘A’
licence at some point in the future.