https://www.theguardian.com/football...atch-in-russia
Alireza Jahanbakhsh (Iran)
In Iran eyes still mist over at memories of the breakaway goal scored at France ‘98 by the feted right-winger Medhi Mahdavikia, which sealed victory over the US and helped earn him a successful 12-year stint in the Bundesliga. For several years Jahanbakhsh was compared to his Team Melli predecessor but a blistering season in the Netherlands with AZ Alkmaar suggests he can be even better. He finished 2017-18 as the Eredivisie’s top scorer with 21 goals, adding a dozen assists – some return for a wide player – and if comparisons with Mohamed Salah are premature it is easy to see the connection. Jahanbakhsh – who turns 25 in August – bristles with pace and power, and finishes explosively. Those facets might yet make negotiating Group B a more viable prospect than it looks for Carlos Queiroz’s side, while earning Jahanbakhsh a move to a top league in the process.
Alireza Jahanbakhsh’s marauding wing play has earned comparisons with the Iranian World Cup hero Medhi Mahdavikia.
Alireza Jahanbakhsh (Iran)
In Iran eyes still mist over at memories of the breakaway goal scored at France ‘98 by the feted right-winger Medhi Mahdavikia, which sealed victory over the US and helped earn him a successful 12-year stint in the Bundesliga. For several years Jahanbakhsh was compared to his Team Melli predecessor but a blistering season in the Netherlands with AZ Alkmaar suggests he can be even better. He finished 2017-18 as the Eredivisie’s top scorer with 21 goals, adding a dozen assists – some return for a wide player – and if comparisons with Mohamed Salah are premature it is easy to see the connection. Jahanbakhsh – who turns 25 in August – bristles with pace and power, and finishes explosively. Those facets might yet make negotiating Group B a more viable prospect than it looks for Carlos Queiroz’s side, while earning Jahanbakhsh a move to a top league in the process.
Alireza Jahanbakhsh’s marauding wing play has earned comparisons with the Iranian World Cup hero Medhi Mahdavikia.