Tag: Ali Danaeifard

Iran’s first World Cup hero passes away.

Iraj Danaeifard, the former Team Melli player who scored Iran;s first goal in the 1978 World Cup has passed away in Shiraz on Wednesday 12 December 2018 after a struggle with kidney illness. Danaeifard was 67 years old

 Iraj was the son of another famous Iranian footballer and coach ,Ali Danaeifard . Iraj  was invited by Heshmat Mohajerani to Team Melli and made his debut for  in the qualification rounds of the FIFA World Cup 1978 in the match against Saudi Arabia. He was a late starter for Team Melli , however , he was quite impressive in the league.

His memorable goal against Scotland,  where he dribbled past Archie Gemmell and scored from an acute angle, ensure he will remain in history  of Iranian football as the first ever goal scorer for Team Melli in the World Cup.

Danaeifard played 17 times for Team Melli and scored 3 goals.

May he rest in peace.

Aref Gholizadeh, former Team Melli player passes away.

Aref Gholizadeh, the former Taj and Team Melli player of the 50’s has passed away today.

Gholizadeh was born in Baku , Azerbaijan  during the Soviet Union rule and moved to Tehran when he was 10 years old. Some sources claim Gholizadeh was born in Tabriz. His official records show the year of birth as 1938 however , Gholizadeh has said that he was 10 years older than the records.

Aref was discovered by Ali Danaeifard when he was playing on sandy grounds. Danaeifard was a master of spotting talented players and he was instrumental in shaping Gholizadeh to play at top level of Iranian football when he took him to Taj Club ( currently Esteghlal).

Gholizadeh was a central defender with exceptional flight and heading ability towering over forwards taller than him. He was nicknamed the “Golden Head” or Aref Sar Talaae” because of this powerful heading ability.

Gholizadeh was first selected for Team Melli during the Asian Games 1051 held in New Delhi, however , he did not get a chance to play and remained a substitute during the tournament.  Despite of that disappointment, Gholizadeh collected a Silver Asian Games medal after Iran lost to India 1-0 in the final.