16 August 2004
by FIFAworldcup.com
 

Five goals, including a spectacular hat-trick in the quarter-final against Korea Republic, saw the 25-year old share with Bahrain’s A’ala Hubail for the Golden Boot. FIFAworldcup.com caught up with Karimi to hear his story and his plans for the future.

A bumpy road
Ali Karimi made his first international appearance in 1998 at the age of 20. His lightning speed, intuitive positioning and instinctive finishing made him an instant hit as Iran won gold at the Asian Games.

“I was still playing as a substitute in the group games, but by the time we got to the knock-out phase I was starting,” he said.

In 2001, after losing to Bahrain and drawing with Thailand, Iran finished second in their FIFA World Cup qualifying group and were forced to play a home-and-away play-off with the Republic of Ireland for a spot at the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan™.

Karimi started as an attacking midfielder in the first game in Dublin, and his acceleration on the break and clever dribbling were Team Melli’s most dangerous weapon. However, the player was off target on a number of chances, and the visitors lost the match 2-0. They won the return leg 1-0 but were forced to sit out Asia’s first finals.

“The two games against Ireland were like a nightmare. I was extremely disappointed with myself for missing the chances I had,” Karimi remembers. “But, the experience helped me improve. I learned that teamwork is as important as individual skills, and that in the end is all about scoring goals.”

Greatest game
Unquestionably, Karimi’s greatest game so far has been the quarter-final of the Asian Cup against 2002 FIFA World Cup semi-finalists Korea Republic. Karimi’s hat-trick definitively dispelled any doubts about Iran’s potential at the tournament and about his own inability to finish on the international stage.

“I was really able to play my best in that match,” said the previously goal-shy Karimi, who lacks Ali Daei’s height but makes up for it with his ability to find space in the box. He also boasts an uncanny knack of timing his jumps to perfection. Two headers past Korea’s Lee Woon Jae in the first 20 minutes of that quarter-final showed just how deadly 1m78-tall forward can be in the air.

With 13 minutes remaining, and the score even at 3-3 in the thrilling encounter, he clinched his hat-trick and the victory by pouncing on a low cross from Mehdi Mahdavakia.

Thoughts of the future
The Iranian star, who plays for Al-Ahly Dubai, expects that his next step is into Europe, and he says that European clubs have been in contact.

“My contract with Al Ahli is not yet finished, but of course I would love to play for a European club. I have to wait until my contract is finished before I can consider a transfer,” he said.

Aside from playing in Europe, another of Karimi’s dreams is to line up for Iran in a FIFA World Cup. Brimming with confidence, Karimi has no doubts that his country will qualify for Germany 2006. When asked about Iran’s chances in the next qualifier against Jordan on 8 September in Amman, he is adamant: “We have no choice but to win.”

In spite of the fact that Iran lost their last meeting with Jordan 1-0 at home, Karimi insists: “Iran will go to Germany.”

Summing up his recent good fortune, Karimi smiled: “A player is like a team. You have your highs and lows. I think I’m on a high right now.”