Ghalenoiee announces squad for Jordan tourney

AFC -  Iran coach Amir Ghalenoiee has opted for a domestic-based squad of 19 players for the LG Cup in Jordan.

Though there are no Europe-based players in the squad, Ghalenoiee said he was hoping to rope in playmaker Ali Karimi (Bayern Munich) and Andranik Teymourian (Bolton Wanderers) for the two LG Cup matches against Iraq on October 4 and hosts Jordan two days later.

“I could not invite players from Europe as these are not FIFA Match Days,” said Ghalenoiee. “However, we are trying to get Karimi and Teymourian.”

Also missing from the list are Esteghlal and Saba Battery players due to domestic engagements.

Ghalenoiee is expected to give the squad a good run-out before the AFC Asian Cup 2007 Group B penultimate qualifying match against Chinese Taipei on October 11.

“If the new players impress me then I could give them a chance against Chinese Taipei,” added Ghalenoiee.

Iran are second in Group B with eights points behind Korea Republic. Syria are third on four points while Chinese Taipei are yet to open their account.

THE SQUAD

Ibrahim Mirzapour (Esteghlal Ahvaz), Hassan Roudbarian, Hadi Shakoori, Kianoush Rahmati, Mohamad Nosrati, Abass Aghaei (Pas), Rahman Ahmadi, Jalal Hosseini (Saipa), Hamid Shafiee Hadi Aghili (Sepahan), Davoud Haghi, Amir Azhari (Rah Ahan),Sheis Rezaei, Alireza Vahedi Nikbakht, Mehrzad Madanchi, Pejman Noori (Persepolis), Mehdi Rajabzade, Sepehr Heidari (Zob Ahan) and Robert Markousi (Bargh Shiraz)