Persepolis Star Forward Mohsen Khalili out for 6-12 months

PFDC - TEHRAN, A severe blow to Ali Daei’s Team Melli and Afshin Ghotbi’s Persepolis was dealt today when it was revealed that star forward Mohsen Khalili’s minor injury was much more severe than originally thought.

Khalili had limped off of practice after what was assumed a light ankle sprain. But after further inspection, it was discovered that Khalili has severely torn a crucial ligament in his right ankle. Khalili will fly to Germany in order to get surgery on the ankle from a specialist.

Khalili was pivotal to Persepolis’ title run last season as he was the leading scorer of the Persian Gulf League with 18 goals. Khalili cemented his legacy in Persepolis history after scoring in the last crucial match of the league vs. Sepahan Esfahan.

After two successful seasons with Saipa Karaj and under the tutelage of Ali Daei, Khalili also lead Saipa to a league title in the 2006-2007 league campaign with important goals for the Karaj side. After attracting much interest from many clubs in Iran and UAE, Khalili transferred to Persepolis last season and had a wonderful first season with the Tehran giants.

Due to his wonderful form and undeniable scoring streak, Khalili was invited to Team Melli for the first time in January 2008 by Mansour Ebrahmizadeh. After getting off to a slow start, Khalili eventually became a starting striker for Team Melli under the Ali Daei administration. Khalili finally netted his first international goal for Team Melli in the crucial World Cup Quaifier in June vs. Syria.

This is a huge hurdle that has been thrown in front of both Daei and Ghotbi. Daei has to react to this injury and react fast, considering Team Melli’s first World Cup Qualifier in the final stage is less than two months away vs. archrival Saudi Arabia.

Daei has said that he is ready and willing to use his legionaries. Vahid Hashemian, Milad Meydavoodi, Rasoul Khatibi and Reza Enayati are all options at Daei’s disposal. As for Ghotbi, the signing of striker Ebrahim Toure is a viable option, but Nikbakht’s departure may be felt much more profoundly now for the Reds.