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.
