Daei calls up Bagheri and Nikbakht

Team Melli Coach Ali Daei somewhat surprised everyone by calling up 35 year old Perspolis midfielder Karim Bagheri for the Qatar friendly.

Bagheri retired from the international game in 2002 after Iran lost to the Republic of Ireland in the World Cup qualifying playoffs. Since then Bagheri has consistently rejected any notion that he might return, but recently there were hints that suggested he might change his mind.  

Bagheri has been in great shape for his club, and his addition is certain to help solidify Team Melli’s shaky defense.

The other minor surprise was inclusion of Perspolis striker Alireza Vahedi-Nikbakht. Nikbakht has been on an excellent scoring run, and is likely to start on the left where he does for Perspolis.  

Other names on the list are: 

Mehdi Rahmati, Vahid Taleblou, Mohammad Mohammadi, Jalal Hosseini, Pirooz Ghorbani, Pejman Montazeri, Hossein Kaebi, Majid Gholamnejad, Satar Zare, Ahmad Al Naemeh, Kianoosh Rahmati, Maziar Zare, Ehsan Haj-Safi, Mohammad Reza Khalatbari, Mehdi Karimian, Mohammd Nouri, Maysam Bauo, Mohammad Mehdi Seyyed-Salehi, Jalal Rafkhaei, Gholam Reza Rezaei.