Bundesliga boys propel Iran towards Germany

Those who tuned in to see Bayern Munich edge to within touching distance of their 19th league title by defeating Bochum 3-1, had to wait until the 81st minute for the appearance of Iran striker Vahid Hashemian as a late substitute for the Bavarians. Moharram Navidkia, meanwhile, did not even get off the Bochum bench.

Elsewhere, Iran's newly naturalised playmaker, Fereydoon Zandi, was again absent as his Kaiserslautern side were beaten 4-2 by Borussia Dortmund. The only exception was Mehdi Mahdavikia, who started and set up for the opening goal in Hamburg's 3-0 win over Hansa Rostock.

Viewers' frustrations notwithstanding, the big picture is promising. The German influence in Iran is stronger than in any other Asian nation, and the above-mentioned Bundesliga-based quartet are all playing a part in Team Melli's qualifying campaign for the FIFA World Cup finals in their adopted land.

Indeed coach Branko Ivankovic dare not imagine how his team might have fared without the contributions of these players, who have done much to put Iran top of Group B at the midway point of the Asian Zone's third and final qualifying round.

"I am quite pleased with the German-based players who have adapted very well to the team so far. The experience they have gained in Bundesliga is important in helping the team to win matches," the 51-year-old Croatian told FIFAworldcup.com.

'Helicopter' flying high

Hashemian, affectionately nicknamed 'The Helicopter' for his superb strength in the air, has impressed with four goals and two assists in the past six FIFA World Cup qualifiers, including a brace that handed Team Melli three precious points in the crucial 2-1 victory over Group A favourites Japan in March.

The 28-year-old marksman, whose 16 goals last season helped his former club Bochum to a fifth-placed finish in the Bundesliga, is arguably one of the most successful Asian players in German football. However, since his move last summer to Bayern, the €2million striker has yet to open his account at the Olympiastadion, having had little playing time.

Despite his goal drought in the Bundesliga this season, Hashemian's hunger has been only too evident in appearances for his country. Since returning to the national side after ending a self-imposed three-year exile last September, he has started and played a vital part in every match, with the exception of the 7-0 demolition of minnows Laos.

"Hashemian has developed into a great player after his spells with three German Bundesliga clubs. I am happy to see how quickly he fitted back into the team after his return," Ivankovic said.

Zandi finding his way

Looking at Iran's midfield, the decision by the German-born Zandi to play for Iran has given Ivankovic a powerful triangle in the middle, with Mahdavikia and Javad Nekounam the other constituent parts. The 26-year-old Zandi may have felt his German style would fit in with Iran's football and certainly his three appearances so far seem to bear this out.

"He has done a brilliant job with the team in the past three qualifiers to date," said Ivankovic. "What I would say is that he has a lot of potential to develop as you see he has been getting better and better game after game."

Mahdavikia assumes mantle
However, the key man in midfield is fast becoming Mahdavikia. If anyone can replace the veteran striker Ali Daei (who remains the leading scorer in the Asian qualifying tournament) as the leader of this Iran team, then it appears to be the Hamburg player. The 26-year-old Madhavikia - who was named AFC Player of the Year in 2003, four years after Daei collected the award himself - marshals the Iran midfield and supplies his forwards with a stream of perceptive passes and pinpoint crosses.

While reluctant to talk about Daei's successor, coach Ivankovic admitted that he could now call on other experienced heads. "We played the second half against Japan without Daei after he was injured, but we had Mahdavikia, Hashemian and (Ali) Karimi to lead the team to victory."

Navidkia the super sub
The man who replaced the injured Daei in that crucial match with Japan on was Bochum's Navidkia, and he appeared again as a substitute in the next game against Korea DPR, this time replacing Hashemian. The former Olympic team captain and 2003 Domestic Footballer of the Year may struggle for a starting place up front at the moment, but at 22, he is definitely one for the future.

"I am hoping that I can pass on to the next Iran coach a team based around this young generation and with five players under 23 in the current team, I believe we are heading in the right direction," Ivankovic concluded.