Goal king Daei has World Cup finals dream

AFP - He's just celebrated his 36th birthday but evergreen Ali Daei, the world's top international goalscorer, has no intention of calling it quits just yet - not with a World Cup finals tantalisingly in his sights.

Daei, the skipper of Iran and one of the most revered figures in Asian football, made history in November 2004 when he became the first man to reach the magical 100 goal mark in international football.

Since then, he has moved onto 104 from 136 matches, eclipsing legends Ferenc Puskas of Hungary, who netted 84 goals, and Brazil's Pele who finished his career with 77.

"The World Cup is every footballers dream," said Daei whose team are on course for the finals in Germany next summer, topping their qualifying group at the halfway mark.

"In the past ten years I have played hard for the national team with the hopes of reaching the finals. We were thrilled to reach France in 1998 but our failure to make the finals in the USA in 1994 and South Korea and Japan in 2002 has left a bitter taste."

Daei has served a wide range of clubs in his time.

He is now back on home soil playing for Saba Battery but has turned out for Bayern Munich, Arminia Bielefeld and Hertha Berlin in Germany before returning to Tehran via a lucrative short-term deal in Qatar with Al-Sadd.

He was a trailblazer in Europe, part of the legion of Asian players who arrived on the continent like Japan's Hidetoshi Nakata and China's Fan Zhiyi.

Despite his goals record, which some observers have refused to treat particularly seriously due to the porous nature of large sections of Asian football, Daei insists he will always keep his feet on the ground.

"I am just a normal player - scoring goals is my job. We have a good team and I always get great support," Daei told www.fifaworldcup.com.

"That is part of the reason why I have been able to score so many goals over the years. The goals dont belong just to me, but to my team, my coach, and my supporters as well.

"My motto is that you should always do your best. I live a simple life and try to make things as easy as possible. I have been so dedicated to football that I lost many things in my life, but I always do my best to be friendly and concentrate on my job."

The disappointment of failing to make the 2002 World Cup finals - when Iran lost a qualifying play-off against the Republic of Ireland - burns deep with Daei.

It was particularly acute as Iran had made the 1998 finals. But the misery of the 2002 campaign is spurring him on.

"I always want to get as many goals as possible for both club and country. I am hoping to score 120 before we go to the World Cup finals in Germany," he said.

Germany holds a special place in Daei's heart.

He was persuaded to join Bayern by German legend Franz Beckenbauer and became the first Asian player to take part in a European Champions League tie when he moved to Hertha.

Such is the Daei influence, that national team coach Branko Ivankovic insisted the veteran striker travel to Pyongyang last week for a crucial World Cup qualifier against North Korea despite being injured.

"He is our captain and is a very important part of the squad. He is good for morale," said Ivankovic whose side won a bruising and controversial clash 2-0.

"I congratulate Daei on his record. His glory is very unique and we should celebrate his success."