Team Melli Captain, Javad Nekounam is on the brink of breaking a record of total match played for Team Melli. The current record holder is Ali Daei with 149 match appearances, while the Osasuna Captain is lagging behind by 2 matches with 147.

The next competition that Nekounam can equal or overtake Daei record is the AFC Asian Cup 2015 in Australia. Barring any surprises or injuries, Nekounam is assured at least the 3 matches he requires to take the all time record of matches. This will also be a record breaking 5th consecutive AFC Asian Cup appearance for Nekounam who played in the 2000 edition of Asian cup in Lebanon.  Javad Nekounam ( 34 years) made his debut for Team Melli against Syria on the 28th May 2000 at the age of 20 when he was a Pas Tehran player. Jalal Talebi was Team Melli coach who gave Nekounam his debut. For the next 14 years, the midfielder ‘s name was ever present in the list of Team Melli , with a character and performances which made it easy for the various Team Melli coaches to pick him.

Unlike many of his contemporaries , Nekounam kept a steady form , high level of discipline and avoided side issues and problems off the field. Despite being on the same age group of Ali Karimi , and Mehdi Mahdavikia, both household names in Iran and well-known beyond the national border , Nekounam managed to easily overtake both in number of matches played for Team Melli. while the Karimi was busy involving himself in all types of disputes and trouble making that kept him away from Team Melli on several occasions , Nekounam simply pressed on. Mahdavikia , on the other hand, suffered from the fact that he played in Germany which restricted his number of games especially the friendly matches.

In the list of top players who played 50 matches or more, the only player that seem likely to overtake both Daei and Nekounam , is Sepahan’s Ehsan Hajsafy. The young player is going from strength to strength with some wonderful performances. His consistency and discipline is exemplary and that should allow him . like Nekounam , to be on the selection list of Team Melli for many years to come.

TEAM MELLI

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