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Asian Debate: Should Ali Karimi Return To Iran's Team?
Asian Editor John Duerden wonders whether Ali Karimi should return to the Iranian national team as has been suggested by the Tehran press.
Mar 1, 2009 9:12:53 PM
It had to happen. In the dramatic world of Iranian football, could there
be anything more Hollywood than the biggest star in the country returning
halfway through an average World cup qualification campaign to inspire the team
to victory and then to South Africa?
The news that Ali Karimi could be about to end his exile - one initially imposed by the Iranian Football Federation (IFF) and then extended by himself- and make a comeback to Team Melli doesn’t really come as a surprise.
Around the world there are legends of heroes that will return in the hour of need to save the day. What could be better than the Wizard of Tehran waving his wand and weaving his magic at the Azadi Stadium on March 28 when old rivals and current competitors for 2010 Saudi Arabia make the journey to Iran?
Iran may not be in dire straits, but they do sit in third place, one below the two automatic qualifying spots, in Group Two after four games.
A win at home against the Saudis would be a big step in the direction of South Africa, but anything less would be a worry. A fourth draw in five games would put the pressure on for the three remaining tests – which include tricky trips to Pyongyang and Seoul.
A Karimi comeback would be a boost to Iran and the opposite for Group Two opponents. One can be sure that it wouldn’t be welcomed by any Saudi Arabian fan. the Saudis can’t afford to lose in Tehran, and South Korea still shudder at the memory of Karimi's performance at the 2004 Asian Cup quarter-final.
A lot of water has passed under the bridge since then. Karimi may not be quite the player he was in Jinan that steamy Saturday evening. He may not be the player who signed for Bayern Munich in a blaze of publicity and he may be the player who was, reportedly, at the center of much of what went wrong at the 2006 World Cup, but he is still a talisman of Iranian football.
Whether he still has the energy to strut his stuff for 90 minutes in a vital World Cup qualifier is a question that will have to wait for an answer. Many are wondering how he will fit into an already crowded Team Melli midfield.
While most fans are excited about the prospect there are some who have raised doubts as to whether a man who turned down a call-up is one to be trusted. There is, however, much sympathy for the player. Many supported Karimi’s criticism of the Iranian Football Federation and its lack of professionalism and organization.
Those complaints hit the headlines on both front and back pages and even prompted intervention from President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who wanted the ban rescinded.
By the time that happened and Karimi was recalled, the attacker said that he didn’t actually want to play for Iran any more, not after what he called a “discourteous dismissal”.
Ali Daei, Karimi’s team-mate during the doomed 2006 World Cup campaign and, if rumors are to be believed, his chief antagonist in a divided dressing room, warned the star that he was making a big mistake. "If I were Karimi, I would never have rejected this invitation,” he said.
Naturally, it was assumed that Karimi’s Team Melli time was over and recently the player admitted as much. For Daei, it wasn’t a disaster. He was looking to discard the old guard- most of it anyway and he had confidence in the new wave.
“We have qualified for the 2010 World Cup qualification final round with young players and we will be able to advance in the competitions with the same players,” Daei said
But things change in football. In ten 2010 World Cup qualifiers, the team hasn’t lost, but has drawn six matches. Three of the four games so far in the final round have been stalemates.
It is time to turn ties into triumphs and Karimi has few Persian peers when it comes to unlocking defenses. Iran have missed Asia’s Maradona – and it looks as if the feeling is mutual.
The timing seems right for the team, both psychologically and in terms of what Karimi can bring. The return of the wizard would get the football-crazy capital buzzing ahead of the Saudi visit and would ensure a full house.
Don’t be too surprised to see a familiar figure in former surroundings at the Azadi Stadium on March 28. Don’t be too surprised to see the name ‘Karimi’ in many headlines the following day.
John Duerden
Asia Editor
john.duerden@goal.com
The news that Ali Karimi could be about to end his exile - one initially imposed by the Iranian Football Federation (IFF) and then extended by himself- and make a comeback to Team Melli doesn’t really come as a surprise.
Around the world there are legends of heroes that will return in the hour of need to save the day. What could be better than the Wizard of Tehran waving his wand and weaving his magic at the Azadi Stadium on March 28 when old rivals and current competitors for 2010 Saudi Arabia make the journey to Iran?
Iran may not be in dire straits, but they do sit in third place, one below the two automatic qualifying spots, in Group Two after four games.
A win at home against the Saudis would be a big step in the direction of South Africa, but anything less would be a worry. A fourth draw in five games would put the pressure on for the three remaining tests – which include tricky trips to Pyongyang and Seoul.
A Karimi comeback would be a boost to Iran and the opposite for Group Two opponents. One can be sure that it wouldn’t be welcomed by any Saudi Arabian fan. the Saudis can’t afford to lose in Tehran, and South Korea still shudder at the memory of Karimi's performance at the 2004 Asian Cup quarter-final.
A lot of water has passed under the bridge since then. Karimi may not be quite the player he was in Jinan that steamy Saturday evening. He may not be the player who signed for Bayern Munich in a blaze of publicity and he may be the player who was, reportedly, at the center of much of what went wrong at the 2006 World Cup, but he is still a talisman of Iranian football.
Whether he still has the energy to strut his stuff for 90 minutes in a vital World Cup qualifier is a question that will have to wait for an answer. Many are wondering how he will fit into an already crowded Team Melli midfield.
While most fans are excited about the prospect there are some who have raised doubts as to whether a man who turned down a call-up is one to be trusted. There is, however, much sympathy for the player. Many supported Karimi’s criticism of the Iranian Football Federation and its lack of professionalism and organization.
Those complaints hit the headlines on both front and back pages and even prompted intervention from President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who wanted the ban rescinded.
By the time that happened and Karimi was recalled, the attacker said that he didn’t actually want to play for Iran any more, not after what he called a “discourteous dismissal”.
Ali Daei, Karimi’s team-mate during the doomed 2006 World Cup campaign and, if rumors are to be believed, his chief antagonist in a divided dressing room, warned the star that he was making a big mistake. "If I were Karimi, I would never have rejected this invitation,” he said.
Naturally, it was assumed that Karimi’s Team Melli time was over and recently the player admitted as much. For Daei, it wasn’t a disaster. He was looking to discard the old guard- most of it anyway and he had confidence in the new wave.
“We have qualified for the 2010 World Cup qualification final round with young players and we will be able to advance in the competitions with the same players,” Daei said
But things change in football. In ten 2010 World Cup qualifiers, the team hasn’t lost, but has drawn six matches. Three of the four games so far in the final round have been stalemates.
It is time to turn ties into triumphs and Karimi has few Persian peers when it comes to unlocking defenses. Iran have missed Asia’s Maradona – and it looks as if the feeling is mutual.
The timing seems right for the team, both psychologically and in terms of what Karimi can bring. The return of the wizard would get the football-crazy capital buzzing ahead of the Saudi visit and would ensure a full house.
Don’t be too surprised to see a familiar figure in former surroundings at the Azadi Stadium on March 28. Don’t be too surprised to see the name ‘Karimi’ in many headlines the following day.
John Duerden
Asia Editor
john.duerden@goal.com
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