Iranians to watch abroad – Aria Hasegawa [VIDEO]

PFDC – TOKYO, Not only since Carlos Queiroz took over the reigns of Team Melli, it was well known that Iran has plenty of talent abroad which could strengthen the Iranian national team.

While Ferydoon Zandi, Amir Shapourzadeh and Ashkan Dejagah have joined Iran, leftback Behrang Safari opted to play for Sweden instead.

In an approach to avoid another Safari case and bring more quality players to the national team, the Iranian football federation (IFF) has started a program of scouting Iranians abroad in which Queiroz meanwhile engages personally.

Persianfootball.com will bring you up to date, who the top five candidates for a Team Melli future are, starting with Aria Hasegawa of FC Tokyo.

The 23-year-old Iran-Japanese recently made the headlines as he saved FC Tokyo from a loss in Asian Champions League, equalizing against Beijing Guoan.

Born in Saitama, Japan, the versatile midfielder is the son of an Iranian father and a Japanese mother. He began his football career as an attacking midfielder with the Yokohama Marinos, proceeding to Japanese heavy-weights F.C Tokyo in the J-League, however, is also able to play in a more defensive central midfield role or on the right wing.

Hasegawa also received a call from the U20 Japanese national team to participate in the 2007 u-20 World cup in Canada, but was unable to compete due to injury.

Hasegawa had already contributed to F.C Tokyo’s 2-0 win over Australian Brisbane Roar in the first week of the Champions League, scoring his first ever goal for the Japanese team.

Two weeks later Hasegawa saved F.C Tokyo from defeat, netting an impressive shot from twenty meters out in the 44th minute.

The Iranian-Japanese footballer is expected to start again in the return match against Beijing Guoan in Tokyo.

Hasegawa is eligible to play for Iran or Japan, still no official interest in either of the national teams have been officially reported.

Name: Aria Jasuru Hasegawa
Date of birth (age): October 29, 1988 (23)
Current club: FC Tokyo (Japan)
Height: 186 centimeters; 6″1″
Positions: Offensive midfielder, central midfielder, right midfielder
Market value: 450.000 € (600.000$)*

Team Melli future probability: 40% – Hasegawa definitely could be a Team Melli candidate, however, he would face stiff competition in midfield, as plenty of talent is available for Queiroz there. Also, the midfielder has not been among the candidates the Portugese has observed yet, so Hasegawa’s Iran future is rather doubtful.

Below comes Hasegawa’s recent goal in Asian Champions League from PFDCTV.

* according to transfermarkt.de