Iran Soccer 98, Official World Cup

May 26, 1998
The Iranian

A couple of weeks ago Jahanshah Javid and I met as usual for lunch, to discuss upcoming plans and just hang out. After lunch at Khayyam's, our favorite chelokababi in Berkeley, we went back to his place (no it's not what you think!) and he handed me four brown paper envelopes. I noticed that the stamps were from Iran and I said, "What's this?" "Open one!" he said slyly.

I peeked inside and saw what I can honestly say is the most excellent collection of soccer photos of the Iranian National team I have ever seen. I was so moved that I immediately began to pull together the best 40 images for us fans. The result is what you see below.

Nader Davoodi, publisher of Tamashagaran, and Hassan Sabri are the photographers and I think you will agree that they have done some amazing work.

IMPORTANT! While these images are free, I ask that if you would like to use them commercially you will acquire the high resolution rights so that their efforts do not go unrewarded.

Thanks and Enjoy!

Candid
photo Mohammad Khakpour exchanges pennants with South Korea. Iran 6 vs. South Korea 2 1996 UAE Asian Nations Cup H.Sabri
photo Alireza Mansourian and Hamid Esteeli warm up for the match against China. Iran 4 China 1 N. Davoodi
photo Ahmad-Reza Abedzadeh helps make Behdad Gholampour's workout more interesting. Coach Ebrahim Ghasempour looks on. N. Davoodi
photo 120,000 fans filled the stadium to watch Iran against Saudi Arabia. Iran 1 - S.A. 1 N. Davoodi

Action!
photo Karim Bagheri and Ali Daie Being guarded by China defenders. To no avail they each scored anyway! Iran 4 - China 1 N. Davoodi
photo Khodadad Azizi is surrounded by the larger Australian players. Iran 1 - Australia 1 N. Davoodi
photo Ali Daie shows why he is unstoppable in the air. Iran 1 - Australia 1 N. Davoodi
photo Mansourian takes a blast as Reza Shahroodi looks on. Iran 0 - Kuwait 0 N. Davoodi
photo Mehdi Mahdavikia escapes from a Kuwait player. Iran 0 - Kuwait 0 N. Davoodi
photo Karim Bagheri thanks the cheering fans. Iran 4 - China 1 N. Davoodi
photo Mehdi Mahdavikia raises his hands in victory. Iran 4 - China 1 N. Davoodi
photo Karim Bagheri tries to fly to the Iranian fans after scoring a goal. Iran 4 - China 1 N. Davoodi
photo Karim Bagheri scores the third goal against China. Iran 4 - China 1 N. Davoodi
photo Karim Bagheri and Ali Daie take to the air unsuccessfully. Iran 0 - Kuwait 0 N. Davoodi
photo Mehdi Mahdavikia surrounded by Kuwait players. Iran 0 - Kuwait 0 N. Davoodi
photo Ali Daie loads his mighty cannon. Iran 0 - Kuwait 0 N. Davoodi
photo Chaos in front of Kuwait's net, but to no avail. N. Davoodi
photo Khodadad Azizi covered by a Kuwait player. H.Sabri
photo Khodadad Azizi in the thick of it once again. H.Sabri
photo Khodadad Azizi, Iran's little-BIG man. H.Sabri
photo Reza Shahroodi takes on a Syria defender. Iran 2 - Syria 2 H.Sabri
photo Ali Daie protects the ball vs Maldives. H.Sabri
photo Ali Daie attacks vs Maldives. H.Sabri
photo Mahdavikia prepares for another attack. Iran 0 - Kuwait 0 N. Davoodi
photo Karim Bagheri is airborne against a China defender. Iran 4 - China 1 N. Davoodi
photo Hamid Esteeli rejects a Kuwait pass attempt. Iran 0 - Kuwait - 0 N. Davoodi
photo Ali Daie breezes past an Australia defender. Iran 1 - Australia 1 N. Davoodi

Portraits
photo (From right-to-left) Karim Bagheri, Ali Daie, Afshin Peyrovani. H.Sabri
photo (From right-to-left) Ahmad-Reza Abedzadeh, Ali Daie, Mohammad Khakpour, Karim Bagheri prepare to take on Australia. Iran 1 - Australia 1 N. Davoodi
photo (From right-to-left) Khodadad Azizi, Darioush Yazdani on the reserve bench. Iran 4 - China 1 N. Davoodi
photo Ali Daie without a doubt Iran's most popular soccer player. H.Sabri
photo Karim Bagheri. Iran's best halfback and attack strategist. H.Sabri
photo Ahmad-Reza Abedzadeh. Goalie and team captain. H.Sabri
photo Khodadad Azizi anxiously awaits his turn on the field. H.Sabri
photo Ahmad-Reza Abedzadeh and Businch in Tehran. H.Sabri
photo Afshin Peyrovani - Sweeper. H.Sabri
photo Ahmad-Reza Abedzadeh and Ali Daie. H.Sabri

Team
photo (From right-to-left) Ahmad-Reza Abedzadeh, Ali Daie, Karim Bagheri, Mohammad Khakpour, Reza Shahroodi, Hamid Esteeli, Yahya Gol-Mohammadi, Afshin Peyrovani, Mohammad Mahdavikia, Khodadad Azizi, Ali-Reza Mansourian. H.Sabri
photo (Standing from right-to-left) Ahmad-Reza Abedzadeh, Ali Daie, Mohammad Khakpour, Reza Shahroodi, Ali-Reza Mansourian, Afshin Peyrovani(Kneeling from right-to-left)Karim Bagheri, Yahya Gol-Mohammadi, Hamid Esteeli, Mohammad Mahdavikia, Khodadad Azizi. N. Davoodi
photo (From right-to-left) Ahmad-Reza Abedzadeh, Ali Daie, Karim Bagheri, Mohammad Khakpour, Reza Shahroodi, Hamid Esteeli, Yahya Gol-Mohammadi, Afshin Peyrovani, Mohammad Mahdavikia, Khodadad Azizi, Ali-Reza Mansourian. N. Davoodi

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