Mahdavikia: "We are blending well now?

Mehdi Mahdavikia of Iran holds the 2003 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian player of the year trophy after being honoured the prestigous award in Kuala Lumpur 10 December 2003. Mahdavikia won this year's award, edging out Thailand's Therdsak Chaiman and Uzbekistan's Maksim Shatskikh. AFP PHOTO Jimin LAI

The confident 26-year-old has developed into a key figure for the Iranian national side too, aiding and abetting his nation's ascent to 17th place in the current FIFA World Ranking where they sit proudly on the same points total as illustrious names like Portugal. "It's a huge step forward for us. Now we've got to hang on to this position," Mahdavikia told FIFA.com.

Iran opened their 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany? qualifying campaign with two victories, 3-1 over Qatar and 7-0 against Laos. All Iranian eyes are now focused on June, when they meet Jordan, twice their conquerors in the last two years. "The home leg is vital for us. We have to claim three points. Jordan are without doubt our most difficult group opponents. They're technically excellent and have an experienced Egyptian coach. They've been very successful over the last two years, so it will be a real test for us."

Asian Cup on the horizon
Iran also have their sights firmly set on the event of the year, July?s AFC Asian Cup in China, where they face tough group opponents in the shape of Japan, Oman and Thailand. "We haven't won the trophy for more than two decades. We were knocked out in the quarter-finals by South Korea in Lebanon in 2000. This is a very important tournament," the former A-grade student declared.

Nevertheless, Mahdavikia reckons qualifying for Germany 2006 is the biggest prize of all. "It's my greatest dream because it's taking place in Germany. I want to go to another World Cup finals. I really enjoyed the experience at France 98. We're determined to qualify for the 2006 World Cup," he says defiantly.

Steady progress under coach Ivankovic
The turnaround in Iranian football fortunes has been led by a Croatian. Coach Branko Ivankovic was Miroslav Blasevic's deputy during Croatia's outstanding France 98 finals? campaign and has successfully blended a potent mix of older and less experienced players. In fact, the squad is primarily composed of younger hopefuls, with only Ali Daei, Ali Karimi and Mahdavikia still remaining from the old guard.

"He's got us training like the European sides. He's got to know Iranian football, the people and the younger players. And he's already taken charge of Asian teams at the Olympics," Mahdavikia points out. "We have an excellent blend in the national side right now." Ivankovic's achievement is not to be underestimated in a country notoriously hard on foreign coaching staff. Big names such as Blasevic and Ivic failed, hounded out by an impatient media demanding instant results and intolerant of anything less.

Iranian Mehdi Mahdavikia (R) fights for the ball against Qatari players Yousef Adam and Saud Shamimari during their World Cup Asian qualifiers match in Tehran 18 February 2004. Iran won 3-1. AFP PHOTO Atta KENARE

Echoing the coach's comments, Mahdavikia voiced hopes for more young Iranian hopefuls to become established internationally. "For a while, we had a group of players operating on the European stage. We had 13 in the German first and second divisions for example. But at the moment there's only myself and Vahid Hashemian in the Bundesliga. It's a bit disappointing to see so many players returning to Iran. But if we qualify for 2006 - and we have a talented enough squad to do it - you'll see more of us in action for European clubs."

Hashemian a major loss
Hashemian, set for a summer switch to Bayern Munich, fell out with his home association after failing to get off the bench in a handful of FIFA World Cup qualifiers, and is currently refusing to be considered for the national set-up. His skills are sorely missed, as a frustrated Mahdavikia explains: "I've talked to him on the subject a number of times. We know each other after two seasons together in Hamburg. We need Vahid in the national side. He?s great on the ball and powerful in the air. We need him, because Ali Daei can't go on for ever. He's 32 and has maybe one or two more seasons in him. I hope we'll see Vahid back in the national team some time next year."

Mahdavikia also believes one of his tasks is to act as minder to the younger players. "Once Daei hangs up his boots, I'll be just about the most experienced player around, and my intention is to offer what I can to my up-and-coming team-mates."

Progress set to continue
Mahdavikia has detected a wave of talented youngsters coming up through the Iranian ranks. "We're going to take another major step forward in the next few years," he predicts. "Professional football was introduced to the country two years ago and the players are well paid, although naturally we need time to create certain essential structures."

Football is Iran's most popular sport. Six and seven year-olds learn the trade there in the time-honoured way, out on the streets. It would be hard to quantify the outpouring of public joy if the Iranians succeeded in qualifying for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. And if the stylish and respected Mahdavikia goes in search of glory in his adopted homeland two years from now, the party would reach as far as Hamburg.