AFC Champions League 2016 Key Players: Mohammad Reza Khalatbari

AFC – KUALA LUMPUR, As the AFC Champions League Group Stage draws ever closer, join the-afc.com as we take a look at one of the competition’s key players – Sepahan’s Mohammad Reza Khalatbari.

KEY PLAYER: MOHAMMAD REZA KHALATBARI – Sepahan

AFC Champions League Record
Appearances: 25
Goals: 7

PROFILE
A big part of the Zobahan side that was the last Iranian team to reach the AFC Champions League final, Mohammad Reza Khalatbari is back in the continental tournament with a club that also know what it takes to reach the latter stages, city rivals Sepahan.

After Khalatbari had helped Abomooslem to the 2004-2005 Hazfi Cup final, the versatile forward got his big move to Isfahan giants Zobahan in 2006 and enjoyed five fruitful years that included reaching the climax of the 2010 AFC Champions League.

A year in Qatar and the UAE followed in the 2011-2012 season before Khalatbari returned to his native Iran and Isfahan at Sepahan where he had a stand-out season posting 14 goals and 13 assists, career-best numbers.

That saw a move to Tehran powerhouse Persepolis, but after finishing runners-up to Iran Pro League winners Naft Tehran, Khalatbari returned to Sepahan and went one better as he earned a 2014-15 league-winners medal with the club.

IMPORTANCE TO TEAM
Khalatbari is a very versatile player equally comfortable playing as an attacking midfielder, winger or forward and a reliable source of goals and assists.

Adept at using his pace to trouble full-backs on the flanks, Khalatbari is also a very clever player with his range of penetrative passes and attacking intent making him an ideal option as a more centrally-based playmaker.

ONES TO WATCH
Isfahan-born brothers Moharram and Rasoul Navidikia make up a talented tandem in the centre of Sepahan’s midfield, with the former skippering the side and also having been capped for Iran. Abdollah Karami can either play in defence or defensive midfield and is an important part of the side’s solidity at the back.