Iran coach names team early as Zare looks set for early exit

NUREMBERG - Iran coach Branko Ivankovic named his likely World Cup team against Mexico a day early on Saturday despite mounting injury problems with defender Sattar Zare looking set for an early trip home.
On the eve of the Group D opener seen as vital for both teams, Ivankovic made light of his predicament by confidently revealing the 12 players uppermost in his thoughts.

He listed: goalkeeper Ebrahim Mirzapour; defenders Yahya Golmohammadi, Hossein Kaebi, Mohammad Nosrati, Rahman Rezaei and Amir Hossein Sadeghi; midfielders Ali Karimi, Mehdi Mahdavikia, Javad Nekonam and Andranik Taymoorian; and forwards Ali Daei and Vahid Hashemian.

There was no place for Zare, who will undergo further tests later on Saturday with Pas defender Hadi Shakouri waiting in the wings.

"Zare damaged cruciate ligaments in his right knee making a wrong turn two days ago," Ivankovic said.

"Our medical staff are not satisfied with him and he wasn't so good tonight. We will see one more time and if he can't play we'll invite (Hadi) Shakouri. But tonight we'll make the final decision."

Iran's build-up has been beset by injury trouble, with midfielder Fereydoon Zandi missing the opening game after falling ill and suffering a muscle problem.

Key players Karimi and Mahdavikia were both included in Brankovic's 12 despite recovering from ankle and back injuries respectively.

Brankovic said Shakouri had been unlucky to miss out on the original squad.

"He was very close to the first 23 players and he's already on the waiting list," the coach said.

Iran are bidding to make the knock-out stages for the first time in three attempts. Portugal and Angola are the other teams in Group D.