Editorial: Invite the Dutch Delight to Team Melli

Agil Etemadi and Reza Ghoochannejhad are two talented Iranians playing their trade in the first team of Hereenven in the Eredivise. Although the 21 year old Agil Etemadi, who is one of the most talented goalkeepers at the club, turned down the chance to join Iran's Olympic team ahead of the Asian Games in Doha, but he admitted that representing Team Melli is a dream and that the option of representing Iran will always be open. Since the retirement of Abedzadeh, Iran has struggled to find a stable goalkeeper to rely on, despite recent magnificent performances by the 26 year old Mehdi Rahmati, the chance to have a player like Etemadi in Team Melli should not be easily ignored. Etemadi would be joining Team Melli knowing a crop of experienced goalkeepers such as Vaezi and Rahmati will definitely stand in his way of a Team Melli spot between the posts, but that should not stop the Tehran born goalkeeper to prove himself, after all, he is a proven goal keeper, playing in one of the top leagues in the World, and knowing Herenveen’s first goalkeeper is 36 years old, its not hard to imagine that Etemadi could make a breakthrough sooner rather than later.

Another player who should be monitored is the very interesting Reza Ghoochannejhad, or Gucci as he is called. He could become a fantastic addition to a team that lacks any kind of finishing strikers, particularly with the injury of Khalili and the inconsistency of Vahid Hashemian. Reza, who has already represented Holland in U19 level once and one goal to his name, is keen on making his mark at the highest stage. He finally signed a senior contract last year, after returning from a horrific knee injury which most people believed to be the start of the downfall of a player with big potential. However, he then joined 2nd division club Go Ahead Eagles and after an impressive 5 goals in 13 matches, he signed a senior contract and returned to Hereenven's first team who were extremely happy to have him back.

Reza Gucci has given fans a hint of what's to come with 3 goals in 2 preseason matches recently, including a 20 yard striker against 2nd division club BV Vendam, showing he is ready to make a huge impact in the Dutch Eredivise. Norwegian head coach Trond Sollied has made it no secret that the 20 year old is in his plans ahead of this coming season. Ali Daei, who lacks a true goal scorer in the national team, should certainly not overlook these two Iranians. Reza is an extremely flexible player. He can play as a striker, out and out winger and also attacking midfielder. In a quest to progress to South Africa 2010, Ali Daei will need to use all his big guns and by all measures invite players that will well and truly help Team Melli.