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Goalkeepers
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Player
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Team, Age, Caps
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Ahmadreza Abedzadeh
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(Pirouzi), age 32 (33 on May 26), 65
caps.
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An experienced keeper, athletic, confident, albeit some
say over-confident. Has been criticized for his penchant for
theatrics, but should hold his own in France.
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Nima Nakisa
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(Pirouzi), 22 (23 on May 1), 0 caps.
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A young,
rising star, seen as Iran's future goalkeeper. He has good
skills, but there are still questions about his temperament.
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Defenders
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Player
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Team, Age, Caps
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Naeem Saadavi
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(Pirouzi), 26, 7 caps.
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An aggressive,
attacking defender who works hard on the right side of the team.
Sometimes neglects his defensive duty in his eagerness to get
forward.
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Mohammad Khakpour
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(Pirouzi), 29, 36 caps.
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Seen as the anchor
of Iran's defense. Solid, tough, and strong. Honed his skills in
Singapore helping Geylang United to the championship there.
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Ali Akbar Ostad Asadi
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(Zob-e-Ahan), 32, 29 caps.
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Unlike
Saadavi, he prefers to stay back in his defensive role on the
left side of the defense. May be past his peak.
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Mehdi Pashazadeh
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(Esteghlal), 24, 3 caps.
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A tall, athletic
defender who usually man-marks the opposing team's star striker.
Physically imposing and brave.
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Afshin Peyravani
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(Pirouzi), 28, 37 caps.
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A good defender but
criticized for a tendency to have mental lapses. Experienced but
has had injury problems of late.
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Javad Zarrincheh
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(Esteghlal), 32, 54 caps.
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Resurrected by
new coach Tomislav Ivic after being dropped by Majeli Kohan. A
veteran defender, alert, reliable, and solid. Has also had
fitness problems, however.
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Reza Torabian
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(Pirouzi), 26, 1 cap.
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Lacks experience but has
come on well this season. Could make the bench.
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Reza Rezaeimanesh
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(Pirouzi), 28, 12 caps.
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A tough,
hard-tackling defender who may just make the final 22.
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Farshad Falahadzadeh
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(Bahman), 27, 12 caps.
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Has returned to
the national team after being banned on doping charges. Yet
another attacking defender. Not one to back down from a fight,
critics say he plays with a chip on his shoulder.
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Midfielders
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Player
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Team, Age, Caps
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Karim Bagheri
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(Arminia Bielefeld, Germany), 24, 43 caps.
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Supremely talented, one of Iran's 'German trio'. Confident,
tough, aggressive and likes shooting from outside the box.
Iran's leading scorer in World Cup qualifying rounds, with 19 goals in all.
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Hamid Estili
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(Bahman), 31, 43 caps.
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Complements Bagheri in
the middle and is a dangerous goal-scorer in his own right.
Gained valuable experience Singapore's soccer leagues.
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Mehdi Mahdavikia
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(Pirouzi), 20, 23 caps.
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Speedy, dangerous
midfielder. Short, stocky and strong, he is well capable of
exploiting slow opposing defenders.
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Farhad Majidi
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(Esteghlal), 21 (22 on June 3), 12 caps.
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A
gifted young player with excellent ball skills who is said to be
mature beyond his years. Likely to be on the bench in France.
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Mehrdad Minavand
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(Pirouzi), 22, 22 caps.
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An attacking
midfielder who is brilliant one minute and awful the next. Has
good technique and is capable of crossing superbly.
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Alireza Mansourian
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(Esteghlal), 25, 32 caps.
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A calming
influence in the middle of the pitch. Passes the ball well and
use his intelligence.
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Reza Shahroudi
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(Pirouzi), 26, 33 caps.
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His experience in
Turkey playing against European-caliber players stands him in
good stead. Works down the left and likes dribbling and has good
touch.
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Sirous Deenmohammadi
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(Shahrdari Tabriz), 29, 15 caps.
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Recalled by Ivic and has impressed in recent friendlies to make
a late bid for a place in the squad for France.
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Forwards
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Player
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Team, Age, Caps
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Alireza Akbarpour
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(Esteqlal), 23, 0 caps.
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A young player who
has made an impact in training and could sneak into squad.
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Khodadad Azizi
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(Cologne, Germany), 26 (27 on June 22), 26 caps.
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The 1996 Asian Player of the Year. A dazzling striker with
good speed and a fine touch and finish. Has fared well in
Germany and will be Iran's main threat to opposing teams in
France.
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Ali Daei
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(Arminia Bielefeld), 29, 49 caps.
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A fiery, tough
goal scorer. Tall and effective in the air, he has been dubbed
'The Finisher' for his scoring ability. Scored seven goals in
one game against the Maldives in qualifying.
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Sattar Hamedani
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(Bahman), 22, 3 caps.
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Another young player
with a bright future who will benefit from the experience of
going to France.
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Ali Mousavi
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(Pas), 24, 8 caps.
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A useful young forward who
crosses well and has shown good speed down the flanks in
friendlies.
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