Iran U19 championship contenders

TMDC - Team Melli Iran U19 squad will start its campaign against host Country, Saudi Arabia on Friday 31st Oct. After a marvelous run of results and series of preparation, Iran is considered a serious contender for the crown that has abandoned them for decades. The last time Iran won this youth Championship was back in 1976 before the revolution.

Other group teams are Japan and Yemen.

Despite the tough draw, Iran has high hope in qualifying for the next round and going all the way. The signs are positive that this team, perhaps one of the most gifted team produced at youth level for decades and one that is full of young talented players will be the team to beat by the other Asian youngsters.

The fact that Iran won the AFC under U16 championship after a long absence will motivate their elder countrymen and brethrens to repeat the same feat. Despite the young age of the players , quite a few of this current squad of U19, are already enjoying top level competition as regulars in their clubs in the Iranian league , hence the experiences and skills will not be in short supply in Saudi Arabia.

The star of this team is Ehsan Hajsafy , a sensational player who has already made the breakthrough at top levels. Hajsafy has played and scored for Team Melli at senior level and was a central figure of Sepahan Esfahan club in the Asian Champions league. The 18 year s seen by many observers in Iran as the future star , has abundance of talent and stamina. As a leader of the team , he will be the source of inspiration for his teammates. The highly skillful midfielder posses a ferocious left foot to add to his numerous assets. Hajsafy has been a regular player in the league and scored many important goals for his club. His experience, despite his young age includes appearances in the AFC Champions league where Sepahan were runners up to Urawa Reds n the last season edition of ACL.

The talents of Iran U19 , certainly does not stop there , as the likes of Sadeghi , the goalkeeper , Mosallman , the highly skilful forward , Shirvand , Jaffary , Ansarifard , Rahmani and the team top scorer Jalaludin AliMohammadi will be vying for stardom and the opportunity to display some of their undoubted talents at the Asian Youth championship.

Under coach Nenad Nikolic , a Croat , this young side has been performing and exceeding expectation. Nikolic strongly believes that his team will emulate their countrymen success in Tashkent by winning the U19 title as well.

"I believe in my team," said the Croatian.

"Nobody expected the under-16 team to win. Only the coach believed in that team. Nobody, not even in the federation, believed they could win in Tashkent."

The pool of talents at the disposal of Nikolic is the envy of many other team coaches. The Croat coach has left out players likes Reza Talebeh , the ex-Captain of the team who was a prominent member of the squad until before this championship , in addition to three other regular players in Nader Hoshiyar Sasan Aghazamani and Hamidreza Aliasghari . The strength in depth of this squad is excellent as Nikolic has built a powerful starting lineup , yet he enjoys having bench players at the same level of the main players in every department. He could even be spoiled for choices.

Nikolic , a highly experienced coach at youth level , however understands that the competition is very stiff at this level and match results could very well be unpredictable. HE does , however , believes that the two finalist teams will be from his own group.

31 Oct 2008 18:45 SAUDI ARABIA - IRAN Prince Mohammed Stadium - Dammam
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