Translated article

voetbal International

02/07/2013 13:00

(Lars Ulrich)

In the Netherlands and Belgium Ghoochannejhad was not much more than modest club player for mid table or lowly teams like Go Ahead Eagles, FC Emmen, SC Cambuur and Sint-Truiden. Only less than two months ago, The Iranian scored his first goal for the club when Standard Liege won 4-3 on May 19 thanks to a goal by Gucci against SC Lokeren.

But in Iran, his name is now in the same level as the greats among the footballing compatriots. Ghoochannejhad is a hero of Team Melli, which a month ago qualified to the World Cup for the fourth time.

Legend Hassan Rowshan helped Iran qualify for the World Cup with his goals in 1978 for the first time on the World Cup stage, such as Khodadad Azizi and Vahid Hashemian did in qualifying for the World Cups of 1998 and 2006 respectively.

Now Gucci, as he is affectionately named, has achieved the same. Ghoochannejhad reached that status in less than a month. Born in Iran but grew up in Friesland, the striker played a decisive role during the final of the World Cup qualifiers for Iran, in time recovering from some disappointing earlier results.

On June 4, Gucci brought back hope for a place on the global stage by scoring against Qatar (1-0), then seven days later he contributed to the big win against Lebanon (4-0). His major contribution was in another week with the winning goal against South Korea. His goal against South Korea was decisive. Ghoochannejhad had three goals in as many games to lead his country’s way to the World Cup in Brazil next year.

The begining of his of success in his way to Iran’s team was in Herman Vanderpoorten Stadium on October 22 warm autumn day in 2011. Ghoochannejhad made quite an impression in Sint-Truiden team playing against Lierse SK, which went was won partly due to the contribution of the Iranian striker. Sint-Truiden won at home 2-0.

It was the prelude to an appealing international career for his native country. Coach Carlos Queiroz was in fact witnessed the starring of Reza and came into action. The Portuguese made contact with the attacker.

“It was a surprise that Queiroz called me,” says Ghoochannejhad on the FIFA website about the change in his football life. “He told me that playing for your country is an honor to be if you love your country. And he told me I think you can help us. ”

Green light
That was indeed the case. After some effort to get all the paperwork completed , the green light was given in 2012. Almost a year after the discovery of Queiroz in Lier debuted Ghoochannejhad for his country. With five goals in seven international matches, he has become the Iranian hero and World Cup hopes.

He may challenge his illustrious predecessors in 2014 to the crown. Rowshan scored well in 1978 but further injuries during the tournament in Argentina saw him barely in action. Yet ever alive the idea that Team Melli was also featured as Rowshan had been. Well fit Azizi scorer of the goal that qualified Iran to World Cup 1998 France , did not help his country further in the finals. Further on twenty years later nor did Vahid Hashemian in Germany in 2006.

Ghoochannejhad thinks Iran can write history, and he is not pointing at himself. “I’m really confident in our team. There is a perfect balance in the selection, with young talents and experienced campaigners. We can achieve more if we keep playing. “As a team