Players abroad week in review: Jan 20-Jan 26

Persianfootball.com – This week there were several Iranian legionnaires in action, playing in Europe and Asia.

On Monday January 20, Team Melli captain Javad Nekounam made his debut in Kuwait League where he played the full 90 minutes to help his new team Al Kuwait win 4-0 over Al Nasr.  Yesterday, Nekounam made his second appearance against Al Shabab, again played 90 minutes and helped his team win 3-0 and remain on top of the ladder with 37 points.

On Thursday January 23, Iranian youngster Sardar Azmoun came on as a substitute in the 46th minute in a friendly game played in Belek. The match was part of Rubin Kazan’s training camp in Turkey. With having only been on the field for 10 minutes, Azmoun assisted the goal scored by Ruslan Mukhametshin, to tie Bulgarian side Ludogorets 1-1.

Friday January 24, Mojtaba Jabbari played 75 minutes in Al Ahli’s 3-0 thumping of Al Muaither. While yesterday Pejman Montazeri played the full 90 minutes in Umm Salal’s 2-1 victory over Al Wakrah.

Elsewhere in Malaysia, Alireza Abbasfard scored versus Penang, on his debut in Malaysia FA Cup on Tuesday January 21. Also yesterday he made his second appearance in Malaysia Super League, he played 80 minutes in 1-0 defeat by Kelantan FA. The match was held at Sarawak Stadium Kuching. Abbasfard’s best chance was his 64th minute header that went over the cross bar.

Unfortunately, there were some bad news this week regarding Masoud Shojaei’s waist injury which was reported on January 23 throughout Iranian press. However, Shojaei played 45 minutes in Las Palmas’ 0-2 loss to Alaves on Saturday.

With regards to player transfers, Reza Ghoochannejhad (Standard Liege) is still on the look out for a club. Also Steven Beitashour (formerly of San Jose Earthquakes) and 2013 Tajikistan Championship’s top scorer Hossein Sohrabi (formerly of Istiqlol Dushanbe) remain club less.