Ghotbi recalls Karimi for Asian Cup qualifier

PFDC – TEHRAN, Iranian national team coach Afshin Ghotbi named 25 players for Iran’s final Asian Cup qualifier against Thailand in Tehran on March 3rd.

While Thailand will need a win to qualify for the 2011 Asian Cup in Qatar instead of Jordan or Singapore, Iran already are certain group winners.

Yet Ghotbi decided to gather a strong squad, including almost all available stars, like Osasuna-duo Javad Nekounam and Masoud Shojaei and possible returnee Ali Karimi.

The Steel Azin playmaker had actually stepped down from the national team last summer and it has to be seen if the 31-year-old will accept the invitation.

Another noteable returnee is World Cup goalkeeper Ebrahim Mirzapour, who, also due to several heavy injuries, has only appeared once for Team Melli since summer 2006.

On the other hand rightback regular Hossein Kaebi this time failed to make the cut, as well as his clubmate Ferydoon Zandi.

Also the decision not to include the currently impressing veteran striker Farhad Majidi of Esteghlal Tehran is at least debatable, as well as the absence of Persepolis Tehran goalgetter Mohsen Khalili.

Below comes the list.

Goalkeepers: Mehdi Rahmati, Ebrahim Mirzapour, Sousha Makani

Defenders: Jalal Hosseini, Hadi Aghili, Mohammed Nosrati, Farshid Talebi, Hanif Omranzadeh, Khosro Heydari, Ehsan Hajsafi, Alireza Mohammad, Amir-Hossein Feshangchi

Midfielders: Javad Nekounam, Andranik Teymourian, Pejman Nouri, Farzad Ashoubi, Ali Karimi, Iman Mobali, Milad Zanidpour, Mehrzad Madanchi

Strikers: Masoud Shojaei, Mohammad-Reza Khalatbari, Karim Ansarifard, Golamreza Rezaei, Milad Meydavoudi