Iran’s captain fantastic steers Team Melli to Brazil 2014

AFC Magazine – Iranian football has rarely lacked for talented midfielders; over the years and throughout the generations, successive incarnations of Team Melli have been driven on by some of Asian football’s most commanding players.

For the side that first appeared at the FIFA World Cup in Argentina in 1978, it was Mohammad Sadeghi who was at the heart of the midfield, performing in the engine room as Ali Parvin and Hassan Roshan further enhanced their reputations.

Twenty years later, it was Karim Bagheri who was the driving force behind the side that ended Iran’s FIFA World Cup exile in 1998 with his commanding presence in the centre, his perfectly timed runs and unerring passing forming the platform upon which the likes of Ali Daei, Khodadad Azizi and Mehdi Mahdavikia were able to perform.

Javad Nekounam, the man whose talismanic influence was so instrumental in Iran’s successful bid for a fourth appearance at the FIFA World Cup, sits comfortably amongst such exalted company. It was the 32-year-old’s drive and determination as much as anything or anyone else, secured Iran another trip to the biggest show on earth.

Six goals – including two in the final phase, against Korea Republic and Lebanon – saw the midfielder emerge as Iran’s leading scorer over the course of the entire qualifying campaign, but Nekounam’s influence extended much further than the number of times he found the back of the net. With the experience gained by spending six seasons in Spain’s Primera Liga with Osasuna and a trip to the FIFA World Cup finals with Iran back in 2006, Nekounam was coach Carlos Queiroz’s on-field general, the man who channeled the former Real Madrid coach’s desires and requests throughout the rest of the team.

And now, after a long, arduous journey, the Iranians are celebrating their return to the top table of world football.

“It’s been a tough road and we underwent so many difficulties,” says Nekounam. “Our great teamwork led to such a valuable success for us.

“We experienced ups and downs, pleasant and bitter moments, but we never lost any of our confidence and remained very hopeful for the future. We knew we deserved to win a spot in the World Cup. Everyone in the team put in their best effort and tried hard to gain qualification to Brazil.

“As the captain of the team, I’d like to thank event,” he says. “It makes no difference if you are one of the giants in the world or one of the underdogs.

“Every team endeavors to be one of only 32 teams taking part in the World Cup. We blame ourselves for not booking a berth in South Africa in 2010. We have now made up for that and are very determined to continue our progress.

“It’s certainly every player’s dream and ambition to play in the World Cup. It will be my second appearance in the showpiece, if I’m still part of the team next year. “Playing in the World Cup is one of the sweetest memories in a football player’s life. I’m absolutely thrilled to have the chance to play in the World Cup for the second time in my life and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I can play up to expectations for my team.

“There’s no doubt I learned so many lessons from Germany 2006. Perhaps some of the young players won’t find out the value of playing in the World Cup arena, but I’ll definitely convey my experience and knowledge to my younger teammates. “I’ll explain to them that we are now among the top teams in the world and this puts an extra burden on our shoulders to defend our credibility. Iranian football should be internationally acclaimed and we must prove that it’s respectable and praiseworthy.”

In the country’s three previous appearances all players and members of the staff for their hard work, dedication and commitment and I’d like to tell them I’ll hold everyone’s hand firmly and wish them all the best.” Brazil will not be Nekounam’s first trip to the FIFA World Cup and he will join a select band of Iranian players to appear at the finals on two occasions should fitness and form guarantee him a place in Queiroz’s squad next year.

Only Daei and Mahdavikia have represented the nation at two finals – in France in 1998 and in Germany eight years later – and Nekounam, along with several current teammates, including Andranik Teymourian and Masoud Shojaei, will join that select band with inclusion in the squad for 2014.

As a result, Nekounam will go to South America as one of the most experienced players in the team and his knowledge of what lies ahead will prove invaluable if Iran are to have any chance of making an impact on the competition.

“It’s very important for each and every team to qualify to the world’s greatest football at the FIFA World Cup, Iran have not managed to progress beyond the group stages of the competition, picking up just one win – a famous 2-1 victory over the United States in France in 1998 – so far. In the eyes of some commentators, the current Iran squad does not measure up with their more illustrious or fabled predecessors but Nekounam believes comparisons with bygone days are irrelevant.

“You can never compare a player with another team-mate or a former one,” he says. “You can’t even make comparisons between two different generations. Each player and team belongs to its own era and I’m of the opinion that the current team has kicked off a new golden age in Iranian football. “Our young boys deserve to be one of the 32 teams in the World Cup. An outstanding reward for the young members of our team would be if they were to get the chance to join a top-flight European outfit following the World Cup.”

If they were to do so, they would be following in Nekounam’s footsteps.

Appearing at the World Cup in Germany in 2006 opened up the possibility of moving to Europe for the former Pas midfielder, who had previously enjoyed short stints in the United Arab Emirates with Al Wahda and Al Sharjah, and it is an experience from which Nekounam continues to benefit. had to plan my life based on my professional career. Of course I felt homesick at the beginning, but I got used to it as the time went by.”

Nekounam highlights “discipline, organisation, commitment, living professionally, living a good life” among the “many other good things” he gained from his time in Spain, which came to an end at the conclusion of the 2011-12 season in Europe. That prompted an unexpected return to Iran, signing for Tehran’s Esteghlal in a US$1.5 million deal that saw him become the fulcrum of the club’s starting line-up as they sought to embark on a successful run in the AFC Champions League and reclaim the Iran Pro League title from Sepahan.

Twelve months later, it’s mission accomplished for Nekounam and Esteghlal; the Amir Ghalenoei-coached side claimed the league title for the first time in four years while also progressing to the quarterfinals of the AFC Champions League. Esteghlal advanced to the last eight of the continental championship the hard way, seeing off Saudi giants Al Hilal, Emirati champions Al Ain and Al Rayyan from Qatar in a challenging group.

“There were ups and downs during my stint with Osasuna, but the good thing about playing for a European club is that everything is quite well organized and wisely planned,” he says.

“The players solely belong to the club and it brings about their progression. That’s why it’s not so easy to be part of a European squad, you have to abide by certain principles and stay focused on your goals. “The six years I was there were part of my golden years in my professional career, but in particular I’d say my first, third and fifth years at the club were my outstanding years, when I was honored to be voted the best player of the season.

“I learned so many things in Spain and, to tell you the truth, it’s not easy to apply them to my day-to-day life in Iran because the lifestyles are very different in the two countries.

“Generally speaking, my personal life didn’t differ much from the life I’m living now but I had to adjust myself to my sporting career. I had to plan my life based on my professional career. Of course I felt homesick at the beginning, but I got used to it as the time went by.”

Despite the difficulty of the task, the Iranians emerged at the top of the standings before seeing off Al Shabab Al Arabi from the UAE in the Round of 16 to set up a quarter-final clash with Thai side Buriram United.“There’s no doubt we were drawn in the Group of Death in the first round,” says Nekounam of the club’s AFC Champions League campaign.

“Ability wise, every team in our group could have qualified for the next round, but we proved our dominance and power and we deservedly booked our place among the last 16. “We have played against and overcome Al Hilal and Al Ain in the group stage, so we are definitely capable of beating other strong teams. “We are yet to confront any giant clubs from the east, but we’ve got no fear of facing any rivals en route to winning the trophy. This competition is an arena where key players play pivotal roles in determining the results and I’m very hopeful Esteghlal can seize the continental title for the third time in their history.”

However, despite having helped Esteghlal return to prominence at both domestic and continental level, there is no guarantee Nekounam will be part of the club’s squad when the AFC Champions League resumes in August as he weighs up offers before deciding where next to continue his stellar career.

But whether he continues to represent the blue half of Tehran or whether he moves on, his performances in 2013 will no doubt have marked him out as a candidate to be crowned the AFC Player of the Year.

Until now, Nekounam’s performances for both Iran and the various clubs he has played for have been overlooked and it is one honour he would love to add to his collection. “It might be little bit too late for me,” he says. “But I do regret I was never voted Asian Player of the Year during my six-year stint in Pamplona.

With all respect to players of my time, I’m of the opinion that I could have become Asian Player of the Year at least twice during those six years.

“But unfortunately with the rules of AFC I was obviously not on the shortlists, so I’m glad the new amendments have been enacted so that Europe-based Asian players can also compete to win the title. “

For all his achievements in Spain, it could well be that Nekounam’s success with both Esteghlal and Iran throughout 2013 sees him finally realize that long-held ambition.