6/4/2006
Associated Press

FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, Germany (AP) – Iran's key midfielder Mehdi Mahdavikia will be fit for the team's opening match against Mexico despite a thigh injury, coach Branko Ivankovic said on Sunday.

Mahdavikia, who plays for Hannover 96, was hurt in last week's warmup match against Croatia, which ended in a 2-2 draw.

(Note from lastkick.com: AP got his wrong! Mahdavikia plays for Hamburg and he was injured in training prior to Croatia friendly)

"Such an injury needs a little time for recovery, but Mahdavikia is a fighter and he will be ready for the first match," Ivankovic said.

Goalkeeper Ebrahim Mirzapour was forced to abandon Sunday's training session, which was held several hours after the team's arrival from Tehran.

But Ivankovic said Mirzapour was simply tired from the long journey.

"Everyone will be ready for Mexico on June 11″ in Nuremberg, the coach said.