The Eagle has landed!

May 9th, 2006 | By: Afshin Afshar | 5 Comments »

A few of you may have read my story about Team Melli’s charismatic goalkeeper Ahmad Reza Abedzadeh. He guarded Iran’s goal against Germany and US in the 1998 World Cup. Injury kept him out of our first match against Yugoslavia. We lost that one 1:0.

(Click here and scroll all the way down to the end of the article to read my short and true story involving Abedzadeh)

Anyway, the former captain is in the US now for a good cause. All of you Team Melli fans who want to see the man in person can see him play in a fundraiser at the Home Depot Center in LA.

During his playing days, his fans affectionately nicknamed him “The Eagle” because of his daring flights across the goalmouth and his wide wingspan.

Abedzadeh was one of the very few fine goalkeepers Iran has ever produced.

Tags: Abedzadeh, Ahmad Reza Abedzadeh, Ahmadreza Abedzadeh, Iran, Team Melli

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Comments

By kapcro | May 10th, 2006 at 7:57 am

I read that you are in SF. I lived there for twelve years, its where I went to college, USF years ago. Didn’t run across any articles about Branko and the press problems. He recently said to the Croatian Press that he looks forward to the friendlies in Croatia and BH and thinks they are good matches. He’s comfortable with the conditions associated with Team Melli and their progress. The goalie coach is from BH isn’t he for Team Melli?

Posted from United States

By Afshin Afshar | May 10th, 2006 at 9:10 pm

Hey, that is cool. How did you like San Francisco Kapcro?

I like it a lot.

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By Kapcro | May 11th, 2006 at 9:48 am

Loved it. Moved to Arizona, heat was murder and now I’m back east. One of my favorite haunts was Fisherman’s Wharf and I loved the Cliff house. I liked the European feel to the city. Hey, don’t get me started on the restaurants. Great place to vacation in the US with the wine country up North, the City itself and then all the way down to Monterey. There’s a Croatian winery, Grgic Hills, up in the wine country. If you’re up that way you’ll sample some great wine and probably get a good conversation about the WC. Regards

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By Afshin Afshar | May 11th, 2006 at 11:56 am

Wow! I have to check the Croatian winery.

I love Arizona, but for visiting. I love camping in the many National Parks that they have.

Next time you are around drop me a note and we’ll have a beer and talk football. I’ll buy the first two rounds

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By Kapcro | May 11th, 2006 at 1:30 pm

Thank you for the invitation and I accept. Maybe we can hunt down some Croatian suds and catch a social at the Croatian Hall. I was planning to show the kids and the little lady SF next year. By the way I hiked the Grand Canyon years ago on a little used trail called Hermit’s Trail. Tough going it’s easier on the main Bright Angel trail. Well worth the views and the experience. It humbles a person when dwarfed by the magnificence of the Canyon. On the drive down to Az catch the Giant Redwoods.

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