Mourning Daei out of Asian Games

AFC - Iran have suffered a major blow to their hopes of retaining their Asian Games men's football gold medal after it was revealed on Monday that the father of inspirational captain Ali Daei has passed away.

According to Iran Sports Press, Daei's father passed away in Bou Ali Hospital in Ardebil on Monday due to heart problems, prompting the 33-year-old Iranian striker to leave the Asian Games squad in Busan and return home as soon as possible.

Iran are scheduled to face Kuwait in the quarter-finals of the Asian Games on Tuesday.

On Monday, Mohamad Dadkan, the acting president of the Iran Football Federation, suggested that Daei might still play in Tuesday's match as there were no available flights to Iran until Wednesday.

"Ali cannot leave until Wednesday but whether or not he plays in the match against Kuwait depends on his frame of mind," said Dadkan.

Daei, one of the side's three over-age players who are allowed to take part in the under-23 tournament, is a vital part of the Iran team and was expected to be a major source of goals as the West Asian side look to defend the gold medal that it won in Bangkok in 1998.

Daei had three goals to his credit from Iran's earlier matches in the tournament.