Iran star Majidi cleared to play against Dalian

AFC – IRAN star Farhad Majidi has been given the green light to represent Al Ain against Dalian Shide in the AFC Champions League semi-final second-leg match due to kick off on Saturday evening.

Loaned from Al Wasl on a yearlong transfer, Majidi is now going to waltz straight into the Ain starting line-up, the Persian maverick a direct replacement for Cote D'Ivoire striker Boubacar Sanogo who injured himself during a recent tour of Italy earlier this month.

"I have spent a couple of enjoyable seasons in the UAE and feel honoured to play a part in winning the Asian title for the Emirates," said Majidi to Al Ittihad in a recent interview.

"I have many friends in the Emirates and want to give them something in return. The Asian football title is for the entire nation to rejoice.

"I am confident Al Ain has the fire-power to win it."

A former target of Austrian club Rapid Vienna, Majidi is one of the brightest hopes to emerge from Iran in recent years.

A nifty player who has a keen sense of what's going around him, Majidi will now partner new signing Brazilian Rodrigo Mendes up front.