Football Tigers

A fan runs onto the pitch to embrace Brazilian striker Ronaldinho (L) during a training session at Thermoplan Arena in Weggis, Switzerland, May 26, 2006.

Brazilian striker Ronaldinho laughs after a fan ran onto the pitch to embrace him during a training session at Thermoplan Arena in Weggis, Switzerland, May 26, 2006.

"The world visiting friends", the German version of the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ official slogan, could have been conceived specifically for the Iranian national team. After all, with Ali Karimi (Bayern Munich), Mehdi Mahdavikia (Hamburg), Vahid Hashemian (Hannover 96) and Ferydoon Zandi (Kaiserslautern), no fewer than four of the 23-strong squad selected by coach Branko Ivankovic ply their trade in the German Bundesliga.
Karimi arrives fresh from a domestic double triumph with Bayern, while Mahdavikia emerged as one of Hamburg's most influential players, probing and prompting the northerners to third place and a shot at qualification for the UEFA Champions League. However, for all their importance at club level, it is with their national team that Mahdavikia and Co enjoy superstar status.
Back in March 2005, Hashemian sent a passionate 110,000 crowd into raptures with a brace for Iran in a 2-1 qualifying victory over Japan in Tehran. "That was a vital victory. Four days later, we travelled to Korea DPR and won 2-0, completing a giant stride towards qualifying," the former Hamburg, VfL Bochum and Bayern striker recalled.

Iran finally banished all remaining doubts on 8 June last year with a 1-0 home victory over Bahrain. All four Bundesliga-based players started that match, emphasising the quartet's pivotal role in national colours. "I'm exceptionally pleased with the players from Germany. Their Bundesliga experience means a lot to us, because they'll help us win matches," coach Ivankovic enthused.

'Definitely the best team in our history'
Under the Croatian boss, who took the helm early in 2002, Iran have developed into a cohesive and solid unit. "The authorities gave me enough time to inject the players with my philosophy of the game," Ivankovic said. Meanwhile, Hashemian said: "Plenty of foreigners come to Iran, but disappear again after just a few months. He's hung on in there up to now, and understands the character of the Iranian team. He knows how to get us motivated."
A glance at the current FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking gives a strong indication of the current strength in Iranian football. The national team lie 23rd, ahead of fellow Asian FIFA World Cup contenders Korea Republic and Saudi Arabia. Many commentators rate the current team as the best the country has ever produced.
"In my opinion, we currently possess an extremely strong team, which with just a couple of exceptions, is also extremely young. That makes the current team exceptionally good," 2004 Asian Player of the Year Karimi said. Hashemian is even prepared to go a step further: "We definitely have the best team in our history. This team is very intelligent and mature."

A blend of talented youngsters and the experienced Bundesliga quartet have encouraged the Iranians in their target of surviving the group phase in their third tilt at the world trophy. "Our minimum goal is to get through the group stage, and give something back to the large Iranian population in Germany," said Karimi. "But I'm not saying qualifying for the round of 16 will be easy. There's no such thing as easy opponents in football today. Any team good enough to qualify for the World Cup has a point to prove to the watching world. Our group is just as difficult as many other groups, so we'll have to work very hard if we want to make the next round."

Home advantage?
Ivankovic and his men have been drawn to face Mexico, Portugal and FIFA World Cup newcomers Angola in Group D. "We've landed in a real 'group of death'. Portugal made the EURO 2004 final, and Mexico looked a tidy proposition at the Confederations Cup last year. But every team at the finals has battled through a long qualifying campaign and proved they have the quality. We Iranians are no exception. That's why I think we have nothing to fear. On the contrary, we're totally up for it and utterly determined to give a good account of ourselves," Mahdavikia explained.
The Bundesliga quartet are banking on a form of home advantage. "Obviously it has to be a point in our favour. All our overseas players operate in Germany. We have enormous experience of German football, and we know what to expect in terms of the atmosphere and the stadiums," Mahdavikia continued.
Karimi agrees that international experience could be the ace in the pack. "Players with experience of the European scene obviously know their way around the modern game. That'll definitely help the Iranian national team. Those who play in Iran will benefit from the experience of the overseas-based players. It'll bring out the best in them when they appear on the international stage."
Whatever happens in Germany, coach Ivankovic already looking to their medium and long-term prospects. "I hope to hand over a team built on the younger generation to the next Iran coach," he said. "We feature a number of youngsters. The country boasts a good crop of home-produced talent, and I believe one or two of them can become superstars if they get the chance. I believe we're heading in the right direction."
A path leading to the round of 16 would give football in Iran another powerful boost, and open the prospect of a breakthrough at European club level for the most promising starlets.

A Marko Babic penalty deep in stoppage time salvaged a 2-2 draw for Croatia against Iran in a FIFA World Cup™ warm-up international on Sunday.
Iran, who are also in the finals in Germany, were on the verge of a notable victory when their goalkeeper Ebrahim Mirzapour slid into one of his own defenders and then clipped Croatia's Ivica Olic as the ball ran free. Bayer Leverkusen's Babic calmly converted the kick.
Iran took the lead after 21 minutes when a shot from Mohammad Nosrati was not cleared and the ball fell to Ali Karimi who drove it into the net.
Croatia drew level ten minutes later when Jurica Vranjes's cross was knocked back by Hajduk Split's Niko Kranjcar and Dado Prso shot past Mirzapour.
The match became disjointed after the break with both sides making several replacements.
One of Croatia's substitutes, defender Mario Tokic, gifted Iran a second goal after 82 minutes when his poor return ball landed at the feet of Arash Borhani who accepted the chance.
It looked like Croatia were heading for their first defeat under coach Zlatko Kranjcar until, six minutes into stoppage time, they were handed a lifeline.
"Iran's goals came from our own mistakes," Kranjcar said. "Despite that, we had the game under control. We had a number of chances we failed to convert. Now we have a few days' rest and the players will be ready for the World Cup."
Croatia play two more friendlies, against Poland and Spain, before kicking off their FIFA World Cup campaign against Brazil in Berlin on 13 June. They also face Japan and Australia in Group F