AFC Asian Cup 2019: Iran ready to challenge as final squad announced
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
Loading...AFC – DOHA, Defensive midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi and winger Ali Gholizadeh are the major names missing from the Islamic Republic of Iran’s final squad for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
Ezatolahi, who plays for English club Reading, and Gholizadeh – who is with Belgian side Charleroi, are both nursing foot injuries.
Team Melli, however, will not be lacking strength as head coach Carlos Queiroz has named a potent looking squad.
Iran, seeking to win the AFC Asian Cup for the fourth time, are in Group D with Vietnam, Iraq and Yemen.
The Central Asians will start their campaign against Yemen on January 7 before facing Vietnam on January 12 and Iraq four days later.
Iran Squad
Goalkeepers: Alireza Beiranvand (Persepolis), Amir Abedzadeh (Maritimo), Payam Niazmand (Sepahan).
Defenders: Ramin Rezaeian (Al-Shahania SC), Milad Mohammadi (Akhmat Grozny), Vouria Ghafouri (Esteghlal), Mohammadhossein Kananizadegan (Machine Sazi), Majid Hosseini (Trabzonspor) Ehsan Haji Safi (Tractor Sazi), Pejman Montazeri (Esteghlal), Morteza Pouraliganji (KAS Eupen).
Midfielders: Omid Ebrahimi (Qatar’s Al Ahli), Ashkan Dejagah (Tractor Sazi), Rouzbeh Cheshmi (Esteghlal), Masoud Shojaei (Tractor Sazi), Ahmad Nourollahi (Persepolis), Vahid Amiri (Trabzonspor).
Strikers: Mehdi Taremi (Al Gharafa), Sardar Azmoun (Rubin Kazan), Mehdi Torabi (Persepolis), Saman Ghoddos (Amiens) , Alireza Jahanbakhsh (Brighton), Karim Ansarifard (Nottingham Forest).
