Iran (IRN)
Iran will step back into the limelight at Germany 2006 having bounced
back from the disappointment of failing to qualify for the first Asian
finals in 2002.
They did not have things all their own way in qualifying,
however, suffering a 1-0 home defeat by Jordan in June 2004 that
threatened their progress through the preliminary round. However,
Branko Ivankovic's men found their form in that summer’s AFC Asian Cup
- where they edged out Korea Republic 4-3 in a memorable quarter-final
to reach the last four- and with confidence levels restored, they
dominated the return match with Jordan to earn a crucial 2-0 win.
That match saw the return of German-based striker Vahid
Hashemian after a long absence and he had an important part to play in
the final qualifying round. After opening with a goalless draw in
Bahrain, Hashemian struck both of Iran’s goals in the 2-1 victory over
Japan in March 2005 that sparked a four-match winning streak that
secured their finals place. Although Iran lost their final Group B
match in Tokyo to surrender first place, their place in Germany was
already secure.
Three times champions of Asia, Iran reached their first FIFA
World Cup as the continent’s sole representatives at Argentina 1978.
They underlined their attacking-minded approach when they advanced to
the 1998 finals in France by eliminating Australia on away goals in a
two-legged play-off. And in France, they achieved a first finals
victory in memorable fashion, defeating the United States 2-1 in Lyon.
Hopes of a second successive FIFA World Cup appearance were dashed in
2001, however, when they lost a qualifying play-off to the Republic of
Ireland.
Iran’s Croatian coach Ivankovic was originally the assistant
to his predecessor, Miroslav Blazevic, who stepped down after missing
out on Korea/Japan 2002. Ivankovic made a promising start in the post
by guiding Iran to first place at the 2002 Asian Games and impressed
since by introducing young players, fostering a strong team spirit –
and also persuading the influential Hashemian out of his self-imposed
exile
Although the veteran Ali Daei finished as the nine-goal top scorer in Asian qualifying,
Team Melli
will travel to Germany with a rejuvenated squad. The current team is
widely considered the best in Iranian football history with plenty of
young talent alongside the heavyweight trio of reigning AFC Player of
the year Ali Karimi, midfield dynamo Mehdi Mahdavika and Hashemian
