Pouladi and Rafiei cleared for Asian Cup: report

Persianfootball.com – TEHRAN, Iran left-back Mehrdad Pouladi and playmaker Soroush Rafiei have been cleared to accompy Team Melli to the Asian Cup in Australia next months, several Iranian sources report on Monday.

The duo had been banned due to irregularities with their military service, but Carlos Queiroz had kept two spots in his squad open, hoping the issue would be resolved.

Also right-back Hossein Mahini and center-back Shoja Khalilzadeh have been cleared to join the national team, but it is doubtful if Queiroz will replace someone from the named 21-man squad to squeeze any of the two in.

Iran will kick off their Asian Cup campaign on January 11 versus Bahrain.