Daei out of DPR Korea clash

AFC – Veteran striker Ali Daei has been ruled out of Iran’s 2006 World Cup qualifying clash against DPR Korea on Wednesday after failing to recover from a strained hamstring he picked up in last week’s 2-1 victory over Japan.

“Ali Daei is definitely out after injuring his hamstring in the game against Japan,” Iran coach Branko Ivankovic confirmed.

Despite being unable to take part in Wednesday’s meeting with the Koreans, Daei still accompanied the squad to Pyongyang, with Ivankovic citing the inspirational influence that the former Bayern Munich man brings to Team Melli.

Continued Ivankovic: “He is still with the squad as we have an excellent physiotherapist and he can receive good treatment. And besides, he is our captain and is a very important part of the squad. He is good for morale.”

Despite the enforced absence of Daei, the world’s leading international scorer with 104 goals in 136 games, Ivankovic has more than enough options in attack. Vahid Hashemian, Iran’s two-goal hero in the defeat of the Japanese is certain to start and could form an attacking partnership alongside Ali Karimi, with the 2004 Asian Footballer of the Year playing in a more advanced role alongside the Bayern Munich man.

Other options include Arash Borhani, who currently leads the Iran Pro League goalscoring charts with AFC Champions League qualifiers Pas, and Esteghlal forward Reza Enyati.

Moharram Navidkia, who came on in the game against Japan when Daei hobbled off in the 43rd minute and the Bochum midfielder may find has way into the starting 11, particularly having scored in Iran’s 3-1 victory over DPR Korea when the two sides last met in Pyongyang in an Asian Cup qualifier back in October 2003.

Borhani’s Pas teammate Khodadad Azizi didn’t make the trip to Pyongyang over concerns that the Kim Il-sung Stadium’s artificial pitch could bring about a recurrence of his ankle injury, while there are also question marks over defender Mohammad Nosrati, the third of four Pas players in Ivankovic’s original selection

“Nosrati has a problem with his leg but should be OK for the game against the Koreans, while Azizi decided not to come as he has a few problems with his ankle and the artificial surface would not be the pitch for him,” Ivankovic stated.