Tag: Mehdi Mahdavikia

AC Milan legends give Iranian soccer fans a boost

(CNN) -- As Iran's relations with the Western world seem to be thawing following a historic U.S. agreement over its nuclear production, sport is also doing its part to bring Tehran in from the cold. AC Milan, the world's most successful soccer club in terms of trophies won, sent a team stacked full of its former stars to take part in a charity match against counterparts from Persepolis FC. Thursday's game, watched by 65,000 fans in Persepolis' Azadi Stadium, was won 3-1 by the seven-time European champion. But as Iran's nuclear deal will help lift some of the economic sanctions that have hurt its growth, this exhibition has bigger meaning for Persepolis and the development of Iranian football. It is part of a collaboration that began at the end of last year when Persepolis president Mohammad Rouyanian visited Italy to meet with Milan chief executive and V.P. Adriano Galliani. Milan's website reports that the "Rossoneri" ("black and reds") will be sharing knowledge of the club's successful youth academy with Persepolis -- which is Iran's most successful team and one of the most popular in Asia. "Mohammad Rouyanian expressed his admiration for the way that the club and its proprietor made Milan the most decorated in the world," the website said. "The desire to create and develop a form of collaboration between the two clubs came naturally. "Collaboration is already underway that will see the Milan Academy help to export and replicate the Milan Model with Persepolis, which celebrates its 50-year anniversary this year." Legendary defender Paolo Maldini headed a star-studded Milan lineup at the 100,000-capacity Azadi Stadium for a match that marked the last Persepolis appearance for former Iran captain Mehdi Mahdavikia. Mahdavikia, 36, retired this year following a distinguished career in which he appeared at two World Cups -- representing his country 111 times in all -- and spent eight seasons with German club Hamburg. The Milan team also included another of Italy's defensive greats, Franco Baresi, and his fellow World Cup winner Gennaro Gattuso. Its goals came from Daniele Massaro -- part of Italy's 1982 World Cup-winning squad -- Christian Lantignotti and Stefano Eranio, while Alireza Emamifar scored for Persepolis. "Thank you to @acmilan glorie for coming to Iran and putting a smile on the Iranian AC Milan fans :)" one supporter wrote on Twitter.

Mehdi Mahdavikia appointed as Youth teams Manager

Ex-Team Melli Captain and recently retired Perspolis player , Mehdi Mahdavikia has been appointed as the Manager for Youth level Teams. Mahdavikia who has accompanied the U-17 team in the FIFA U-17 World Cup in UAE , has worked extensively with  Ali Doustimehr and was instrumental in arranging the camp in Germany before r the tournament .Mahdavikia

Mahdavikia's appointment was announced by Mehdi Nabi , the Secretary General of the FFIRI.

Mahdavikia will start his work immiditely and his first assignment is to arrange a training camp for Iran's U-22 team which will be participating in the inaugural AFC  Asian U 22 championship which will be held in Muscat Oman.i

Sepp Blatter arrives in Tehran

  FIFA president Sepp Blatter arrived in Tehran this Wednesday morning to attend the second International Congress on Science and Football. He was received by  Ali Kaffashian, head of Iran Football Federation, and some dignitaries, including Ali Daei, Mehdi Mahdavikia and Current Team Melli Captain Javad Nekounam. Blatter is scheduled to meet the Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and the country's sports and youth ministry. Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa will also arrive in Tehran  later today to attend the conference. Earlier , Sepp blatter commented about his visit to Iran by saying “The people of Iran are very happy to reach the World Cup,” said Blatter. “It will give a lot of emotions to this country. I will be honoured to meet President Rouhani and speak with him about the future of football in Iran.” Blatter whose executive jet landed at Imam Khomeini airport early in the morning at 4:45 , will have a busy schedule while in Tehran. In a brief statement in the airport, President of the football governing body said "I am glad that I have finally made this trip which is well over due. We have initially talked about it 2 years and finally I am here. " Blatter engaged in conversation with Daei asking him about the status of readiness of Team Melli for the World Cup.
Mahdavikia greets Blatter
Mahdavikia greets Blatter

Heshmat Mohajerani "Mahdavikia should work along with Queiroz"

Dubai  Iran's legendary football coach Heshmat Mohajerani praised the Iranian U-17 team and said this team should easily win its two remaining matches after their sterling display against Argentina, the current champions of South America. Mohajerani singled out Ali Doustimehr for rave commendation calling him a dedicated coach who has tremendous ability to work with youngsters and inspires them to do their best. "Doustimehr, time again showed us his quality and capabilities. He is a dedicated coach who has the interest of the boys at heart and works tirelessly with them to achieve a high standard of performance and create a team spirit and camaraderie in these youngsters.  They are able to deliver largely to the inspirational and technical powers of Ali Doustimehr. He is an asset for Iran." Mohajerani was speaking to reporters in Dubai during his visit to the Team Melli U-17 training camp where the U-17 are participating in the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2013 . The veteran coach who is a resident of Dubai told the press "I hardly attend the senior team’s matches, but for the youngsters, I would not miss the opportunity to watch them live. It is a delight when you see these young ones play to such a level of football". Mohajerani also praised the role that Mahdavikia is playing with the team. "Mehdi was a tremendous player; he is also a gentleman that has a lot to offer for Iran's football if he elects to go into coaching. I have a lot of confidence in the potentials of Mahdavikia. His excellent character for a starter is a big advantage that is in short supply in Iran’s football. In fact I strongly suggest from now that Mahdavikia should work along with Queiroz as step in his career progression." Mehdi Mahdavikia is currently accompanying Team Melli U-17 in an advisory role. He has been praised by Doustimehr for the work he carried out for the team, including his exceptional effort to organize the Germany camp where the team had valuable matches with strong German clubs youth teams. Mahdavikia’s contacts in Germany and the respect that he is awarded there, enable Team Melli U-17 to set up the camp. Commenting further on the potentials of Mahdavikia , the former Team Melli coach who took Iran to the 1978 World Cup , believes  apart from Mahdavikia calm character and the respect that he has for player and people around him, his long experience in Germany working under professional environment, will ensure that new ideas and mentality in introduced in Iran`s football.