Daei back in search of historic goal

AFC – Iran skipper Ali Daei could make history next week when he returns to the national squad for their crucial World Cup 2006 qualifier against Laos with an opportunity to score his 100th international goal.

A knee injury ruled Daei out of last month’s clash against Qatar in Doha but the 35-year-old returned to action for Iran Pro League side Saba Battery two weeks ago, coming on as a substitute 20 minutes from time.

Daei is only two shy of becoming the first player to score 100 international goals and Iran coach Branko Ivankovic is likely to give the talismanic striker an opportunity to set a new mark by including him in Iran’s 28-man squad for the clash against group minnows Laos at the Azadi Stadium on November 17.

Iran must win the match to assure themselves of a spot in the final round of the World Cup qualifiers although they are expected to have few problems against a Laos side that they trounced 7-0 in Vientiane in March.

Any slip-up by the Iranians could open the door for Jordan, who play Qatar in Doha on the same evening, so Ivankovic is taking no chances by calling up a strong squad that includes AFC Player of the Year Mehdi Mahdavikia, Bayern Munich striker Vahid Hashemian and Asian Cup 2004 joint-top scorer Ali Karimi.

Iran squad
Goalkeepers: Ebrahim Mirzapour (Foolad), Hassan Rodbarian (Pas), Mahdi Rahmati (Sepahan)

Defence: Yahya Golmohammadi (Pirouzi), Mohammad Nosrati (Pas), Sattar Zare (Bargh), Jalal Kameli (Foolad), Rahman Rezaei (Messina/ITA), Morteza Kashi (Paykan)

Midfield: Eman Mobali, Mohammad Alavi, Hossein Kaabi, Ali Badavi (all Foolad), Amir-Hossein Yousefi, Masoud Shojaee (both Saipa), Javad Nekounam, Khodadad Azizi (both Pas), Mehdi Mahdavikia (Hamburg/GER), Farzad Majidi (Esteghlal), Mehrzad Madanchi (Fajre Sepasi), Bijan Koshaki (Shamooshak), Abbas Aghaee (Sepahan)

Forwards: Ali Daei (Saba), Ali Karimi (Al Ahli/UAE), Rasoul Khatibi (Sepahan), Alireza Vahedinikbakht (Esteghlal), Arash Borhani (Pas), Vahid Hashemian (Bayern Munich/GER)