18 called up for UAE friendly

PFDC – TEHRAN, Carlos Queiroz invited 18 players for the friendly match against the UAE in Dubai on April 17.

The Portugese will be relying on a rather unexperienced squad because all legionnaires, apart from those playing in the opposition’s league will be unavailable.

Additionally, the players from Persepolis, Esteghlal and Sepahan, will be busy with the Asian Champions League matchday on April 17 and 18.

Instead, some youngsters, like former U17 and U19 team captain Payam Sadeghian (pictured) of Zob Ahan or versatile defender Shoja Khalilazadeh of Mes Kerman, can hope for a senior national team debut.

Below comes the squad for the UAE match.

Goalkeepers: Shahab Gordan (Zob Ahan), Mohsen Forouzan (Tractor Sazi)

Defenders: Hossein Mahini (Zob Ahan), Shoja Khalilazadeh (Mes Kerman), Siamak Kouroushi (Naft Tehran), Amir-Hossein Sadeghi, Ehsan Hajsafi (both Tractor Sazi)

Midfielders: Reza Haghighi (Fajr Sepasi), Pejman Nouri (Emirates Club, UAE), Ghasem Hadadifar (Tractor Sazi), Ghasem Dehnavi (Mes Kerman), Payam Sadeghian (Zob Ahan)

Wingers: Mohammad-Reza Khalatbari (Al Wasl, UAE), Arash Afshin (Foolad), Yaghoub Karimi (Naft Tehran)

Strikers: Mohammad Ghazi (Zob Ahan), Karim Ansarifard (Saipa), Mohammad Gholami (Damash Gilan)