Thenational - When the Etislat
League players of the UAE step out on the Tehran pitch to play Iran in their
World Cup qualifier on Monday they will not be lining up against an old foe.
Eman Mobali, 25, the creative Iranian midfield player, is considered by many
to be good enough to play in a top European league. But a bad tackle on a
fellow Iranian international during a league match three years ago has seen
him shunned by his country.
Mobali, who instead of being in Iran will be playing for Etisalat League
champions Al Shabab in a friendly against the French club Lyon tomorrow, had
been dubbed the “Asian David Beckham” for his impressive free kicks.
Experts believed that Mobali would make such an impression for Iran during
the 2006 World Cup in Germany that he would seal a move to a top European
club straight after. But he was not picked in the Iranian squad for the
finals, with many suggesting his omission was at the behest of the then
captain Ali Daei.
Mobali and Daei fell out after the young star made a career-threatening
tackle on the Iranian goal-scoring legend during a local league game between
Foolad and Saba Battery in 2005. That incident reportedly forced Foolad to
sell Mobali to Al Shabab.
Mobali has since struggled to get back into the national side. The former
Iran coach Branko Ivankovic confessed that Mobali’s foul on Daei indeed was
a deciding factor for him not being invited to the national team.
Mobali, who made his international debut as an 18-year-old in 2001, urged
the Iranian management to give him another chance and said: “I have been
with the Iran national team for more than seven years, but I have
continuously been a reserve player.”
“I promise that if I start in two games I will show my potential. This year,
I am fully fit and in great form. Even at Al Shabab, unlike previous years,
I am playing in a defensive midfield position, and this is a new experience
for me which can add value to my performance in Iranian team.”
But with Daei now the coach of Iran, Mobali’s international career is
unlikely to flourish. He has not been included in the 23-man squad for the
Asian qualifier against the UAE. Though disappointed, Mobali believes he can
concentrate on his club career and make it a success.
“People like Ali Karimi [he clinched a deal with Bayern Munich with his
performances for Al Ahli] had to play a lot for the national team, so they
struggled a bit in Europe,” said Mobali. “I can stay focused on my club
commitments.”
The game will be Mobali’s farewell in the green of Al Shabab. He is headed
for Al Wasl on a one-year contract, reportedly worth Dh1.2 million
(US$33,000), after spending three years at Al Shabab and winning the league
title last week.
“It was great to win the title this year, especially because this was my
last year at Al Shabab,” said the player considered to be one of the most
talented Asian players of his generation.
“I think I will be at Al Wasl next season. They are a good side and I really
like the club.”
But he eventually would love to play in Europe – preferably in Italy, and
particularly for Roma.
“I love Dubai though and I want to stay here. I will go to Europe only if I
have a good offer. The UAE league is really good and I am happy here. It is
a tough league, not as easy as it may seem,” he added.
“I will try to go to Europe maybe after two years. I am 25 and I believe my
best football is still ahead of me. I have a good chance of making an impact
in Europe.”
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