Queiroz names partially experimental list for training camp

Persianfootball.com – TEHRAN, There are many familiar faces in Carlos Queiroz’s latest squad, but the Portuguese also injected some fresh blood into the team.

24 players were invited to participate in the upcoming training camp in Portugal during which Team Melli will play friendly matches against UEFA Europa League participant Estoril and UEFA Champions League participants Benfica.

Noteable absences are Daniel Davari – who rejected the invitation due to the birth of his daughter – Vancouver Whitecaps fullback Steven Beitashour, Persepolis midfielder Reza Haghighi as well as Sepahan Esfahan duo Mohammad-Reza Khalatbari and Mehdi Sharifi.

Surprising is that only three centerbacks made the cut and neither Ahmad Alenemeh, Mohammad-Reza Khanzadeh nor Shoja Khalilzadeh were invited.

Further World Cup participants Hossein Mahini and Bakhtiar Rahmani were also dropped because the duo are currently suspended due to alledged dodging of military service.

However, Mehrdad Pouladi, who faces similar problems is therefore is currently clubless, will accompy the team to Portugal.

New in the squad are right-back Ghafouri, defensive midfielder Pouraliganji, Foolad midfield duo Rafiei and Abdollahzadeh and leftwinger Amiri while Beiranvand, Forouzan, Ebrahimi and Azmoun return.

Goalkeepers:
Alireza Haghighi – Penafiel FC (Portugal)
Alireza Beiranvand – Naft Tehran
Mohsen Forouzan – Esteghlal Tehran

Defenders:
Khosro Heydari – Esteghlal Tehran
Vouria Ghafouri – Sepahan Esfahan
Pejman Montazeri – Umm Salal (Qatar)
Jalal Hosseini – Al Ahli (Qatar)
Amir-Hossein Sadeghi – Esteghlal Tehran
Mehrdad Pouladi – unattached
Hashem Beikzadeh – Esteghlal Tehran

Midfielders:
Javad Nekounam – CA Osasuna (Spain)
Andranik Teymourian – Esteghlal Tehran
Morteza Pouraliganji – Naft Tehran
Omid Ebrahimi – Esteghlal Tehran
Ehsan Hajsafi – Sepahan Esfahan
Soroush Rafiei – Foolad Khuzestan
Ahmad Abdollahzadeh – Foolad Khuzestan

Attackers:
Ashkan Dejagah – Al Arabi (Qatar)
Alireza Jahanbakhsh – NEC Nijmegen (Netherlands)
Reza Ghoochannejhad – Kuwait SC (Kuwait)
Karim Ansarifard – CA Osasuna (Spain)
Sardar Azmoun – Rubin Kazan (Russia)
Masoud Shojaei – Al Shahaniya (Qatar)
Vahid Amiri – Naft Tehran