Hajsafi boost for Sepahan and Iran

( 1 Vote )

Written by AFC

Monday, 09 November 2009 16:57

AFC - TEHRAN, Sepahan striker Ehsan Hajsafi had two reasons to celebrate over the weekend.

The 19-year-old scored in his team’s 4-1 Iran Pro League victory over Peykan that kept them at the top of the table; the Olympic player was also called up to Afshin Ghotbi’s national squad to face Iceland in a friendly on Tuesday.

Though still a fringe player for Team Melli, Hajsafi is seen as a future star for the Iranians, who take on Jordan in an important AFC Asian Cup Group E qualifier this weekend.

Hajsafi, who played for Sepahan in the 2007 AFC Champions League final, scored his team’s third goal as they stayed one point ahead of Zob Ahan on top of the Iran Pro League.

Sepahan have 31 points as Zob Ahan also won, beating Foolad 1-0 thanks to Igor de Castro’s 78th-minute goal.

Steel Azin joined Esteghlal on 27 points after a 6-2 away victory over Mes. Esteghlal, meanwhile suffered a 3-2 defeat at Rah Ahan but stay third because of their superior goal difference over Steel Azin.

Ghotbi, meanwhile, has named a 30-man squad for the games against Iceland and Jordan, though Javad Nekounam and Masoud Shojaei will only join the team for the AFC Asian Cup qualifier because of their La Liga commitments to Osasuna.

Hajsafi has represented Iran on 10 occasions and is expected to again sit on the sidelines this week.

Ghotbi bemoaned the lack of quality opposition as his side attempt to make up for the disappointment of FIFA World Cup 2010 failure and qualify for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar.

“Unfortunately, some foreign teams are not willing come to Tehran and play here,” Ghotbi said. “In these circumstances, Iceland was the best choice for us and I hope they help us improve before meeting Jordan.”

Iran lead Group E with four points from two matches. Singapore are second on three points. Jordan are bottom with one point while Thailand are third with two points.

After the Jordan game, Iran have another friendly, this time against Macedonia, against whom Nekounam and Shojaei are also expected to play.

“We don’t have quality players for some positions but I tried to pick the players to give the team the right balance.”