Iranian Karimi retained for LG international tournament

MEF -  UAE-based Iranian striker Ali Karimi will be on national duty for the upcoming LG international tournament, this has been revealed on Wednesday by Al-Ittihad popular daily in Dubai.

Karimi, 24, once targeted by Spanish side Atletico Madrid and Italian outfits Perugia, finally opted for Al-Ahly of Dubai last season, a 2-year deal granting him $2.3 million for the whole package.


The sizzling playmaker made a stunning debut in his first domestic appearance in the United Arab Emirates last term, netting 14 goals out of 22 league matches, but managing only 6 goals this time round, after being out of action for nearly 2 months.

“Al-Ahly received a fax from the Iranian FA in which they asked to release their player for the LG international tournament, due to take place beginning May 30,” the paper quoted a senior club figure as saying today.

“The club gave the go-ahead to the player on May 29, should Al-Ahly manage to oust Sharjah from the semi-finals stage of the Emir’s Cup, to meet the winners of the other tie 24 hours earlier,” he added.

Al-Ahly declined to release their other Iranian star Javad Kazemian for the recent Olympic qualifier against Uzbekistan early this month, needing him for the Emir’s Cup campaign.

Kazemian netted once and had a big hand in 2 other goals as Al-Ahly thrashed second division underdogs Al-Khaleej 4-0 to move to the semi-finals stage of the competition.