PFDC - MUNICH, Iranian international playmaker Ali Karimi had a successful UEFA Champions League debut, playing 82 minutes and scoring a goal in Bayern Munich's 4-0 victory over Rapid Vienna.
Bayern went ahead after 21 minutes through Sebastian Deisler and doubled the lead in minute 54 through Karimi. The Iranian beautifully controlled a corner kick by Bastian Schweinsteiger with his chest, before volleying home with his left foot.
Karimi, the fifth Iranian to appear in the prestigeous Champions League, became the third player from Iran to score in the competition after Ali Daei (Hertha Berlin 1999/2000) and Mehdi Mahdavikia (Hamburg 2000/01).
The Asian Player of the Year 2004, who had been attested to have "all necessary abilities to play behind the strikers" by Bayern coach Felix Magath ahead of the match, also was involved in the creation of the third goal, when he picked up a loose ball at the edge of the own penalty area and found Schweinsteiger on the left, who took a run to the middle line before playing the ball into the path of Roy Makaay, who made it 3-0 after 72 minutes. Four minutes later, another counter attack again was finished off by Makaay, who this time had been inscened by Martin Demichelis.
Karimi was then subbed out eight minutes from time after a good match as Bayern's playmaker, however, the 27-year-old yet again didn't show much of his outstanding dribbling skills.
The thrashing of the Austrian league champion means qualification for the next stage of the Champions League for Bayern and brought the German champions back on top of the group due to the better goal difference compared to Italian giants Juventus.
