5/23/2006
FIFAworldcup.com

"The world visiting friends", the German version of the 2006 FIFA World Cupâ„¢ official slogan, could have been conceived specifically for the Iranian national team. After all, with Ali Karimi (Bayern Munich), Mehdi Mahdavikia (Hamburger SV), Vahid Hashemian (Hannover 96) and Ferydoon Zandi (1. FC Kaiserslautern), no fewer than four of the 23-strong squad selected by coach Branko Ivankovic ply their trade in the German Bundesliga.

Karimi arrives fresh from a domestic league and cup double triumph with Bayern, while Mahdavikia emerged as one of Hamburg's most influential players, probing and prompting the northerners to third place and a shot at qualification for the UEFA Champions League. However, for all their importance at club level, Mahdavikia and Co. are the true superstars in their national team.

Back in March 2005, Hashemian sent a passionate 110,000 crowd into raptures with a brace for Iran in a 2-1 qualifying victory over Japan in Teheran. "That was a vital victory. Four days later, we travelled to Korea DPR and won 2-0, completing a giant stride towards qualifying," the former Hamburg, VfL Bochum and Bayern striker recalls.

Iran finally banished all remaining doubts on 8 June 2005 with a 1-0 home victory over Bahrain. All four Bundesliga-based players started that match, emphasising the quartet's pivotal role in national colours. "I'm exceptionally pleased with the players from Germany. Their Bundesliga experience means a lot to us, because they'll help us win matches," coach Ivankovic enthuses.

"Definitely the best team in our history"

Under the Croatian boss, who took the helm early in 2002, Iran have developed into a cohesive and solid unit. "The authorities gave me enough time to inject the players with my philosophy of the game," Ivankovic comments. "Plenty of foreigners come to Iran, but disappear again after just a few months. He's hung on in there up to now, and understands the character of the Iranian team. He knows how to get us motivated," Hashemian declares in praise of his coach.

A glance at the current FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking gives a strong indication of the current strength in Iranian football. The national team lie 23rd, ahead of fellow Asian FIFA World Cup contenders Korea Republic and Saudi Arabia. Many commentators rate the current team as the best the country has ever produced. "In my opinion, we currently possess an extremely strong team, which with just a couple of exceptions, is also extremely young. That makes the current team exceptionally good," 2004 Asian Player of the Year Karimi remarks. Hashemian is even prepared to go a step further: "We definitely have the best team in our history. This team is very intelligent and mature."

A blend of talented youngsters and the experienced Bundesliga quartet have encouraged the Iranians in their target of surviving the group phase in their third tilt at the world trophy. "Our minimum goal is to get through the group stage, and give something back to the large Iranian population in Germany," Karimi remarks. "But I'm not saying qualifying for the round of sixteen will be easy. There's no such thing as easy opponents in football today. Any team good enough to qualify for the World Cup has a point to prove to the watching world. Our group is just as difficult as many other groups, so we'll have to work very hard if we want to make the next round."

Home advantage?

Ivankovic and his men have been drawn to face Mexico, Portugal and FIFA World Cup newcomers Angola in Group D. "We've landed in a real Group of Death. Portugal made the Euro 2004 final, and Mexico looked a tidy proposition at the FIFA Confederations Cup last year. But every team at the finals has battled through a long qualifying campaign and proved they have the quality. We Iranians are no exception. That's why I think we have nothing to fear. On the contrary, we're totally up for it and utterly determined to give a good account of ourselves," Mahdavikia insists.

The Bundesliga quartet are banking on a form of home advantage. "Obviously it has to be a point In our favour. All our overseas players operate in Germany. We have enormous experience of German football, and we know what to expect in terms of the atmosphere and the stadiums," Mahdavikia reasons. Karimi agrees that international experience could be the ace in the pack: "Players with experience of the European scene obviously know their way around the modern game. That'll definitely help the Iranian national team. Those who play in Iran will benefit from the overseas-based players' experience. It'll bring out the best in them when they appear on the international stage."

Coach Ivankovic is more interested in the mid- to long-term. "I hope to hand over a team built on the younger generation to the next Iranian coach. We feature a number of youngsters. The country boasts a good crop of home-produced talent, and I believe one or two of them can become superstars if they get the chance. I believe we're heading in the right direction." A path leading to the round of sixteen would give football in Iran another powerful boost, and open the prospect of a breakthrough at European club level for the most promising starlets.