Birthday: 13 Azar 1324
BIRTH PLACE: TEHRAN
Honors: 4 times champion of Tehran High school - 3 times champion of Iran high schools. 1 time champion of RCD tournament - 3 times Asian Nations Champion (1968-1972-1976)- Gold Medallist Asian Games (1974)- Silver medallist Asian games (1966)- 3rd place World Military Tournament - 1 Time champion of Iran Club- 3rd place Asian Clubs.
Like many of his generation , Parviz started his football in the slums and back streets of Tehran. in 1344 he won his first accolade by winning the scholastic championship of Tehran with his school team, Adeeb. This was the beginning of a long championship trail for the highly talented Parviz.
In fact Parviz love for sport started with volleyball, as he was a skillful volleyball player and constantly appeared with his mates playing volleyball in school and in the neighborhood. With his friends Asghar Sheeravani, Mohammed Darani, Taqi shabanali and few others , he made a name for himself in the streets of Shabaz Jonnobi and Khiayban Atabak. He also relished the challenge of playing volleyball and winning a few tomans by betting against the opposition.
One day he fancied playing football, while watching some of his other mates playing in the neighborhood and he never looked back since.
Parviz joined Alborz team which was affiliated to Kayan and considered to be their second team. It took him less than a year playing with Alborz while displaying outstanding skills before the legendary Amir Assefi discovered him and immediately enrolled him in Kayan's full team.
This was to be a long lasting relationship between Amir Assefi and Parviz Qleechkani, in which Parviz remarked once :
"Amir Khan was not only a coach to me, he was much bigger than that. He was my mentor, my teacher and my inspirational guide. He taught me a lot about life and showed me the way and methods of self respect and respect for others. He was my idol."
At the tender age of 18 years, Parviz made his debut for Kayan against the mighty Shahin 1n 1963 season. Although Shahin won that game 3-2, Parviz was the star of Amjadiya that day and managed to attract a lot of attention to himself in the debut match. It was the day that a star was.
in 1964 , less than a year from his club debut, Parviz Qleechkhani was selected for the National Team (Team Melli) and was a squad member that flew to Tokyo for the Olympics. In the Olympic games he was an immediate starter. Parviz played in all the three games, and although Iran were eliminated from the group stages, on his return , a lot was said and spoken about the skills and the tenacity of this young player. He was nick named the "Brave Kayani" for his obvious fighting spirit and never-die attitude.
In 1965 a new tournament was created under the auspicious of Regional Cooperation Pact, in which Iran teamed along Turkey and Pakistan. This was to be an annual tournament played in different countries each year. Qleechkhani was part of Iran's squad for the first tournament.
Iran beat Pakistan comfortably 4-1 but it was the decider game against Turkey that highlighted the remarkable skills of Qleechkhani. In that match Hussain Fekri, Iran's coach assigned young Parviz to mark the best Turkish player, Aver. This Turkish left winger was extremely fast and lethal goal scorer. Qleechkhani neutralized him during the whole period of that game and Aver, was never able to demonstrate his superiority in that game. Turkish clubs immediately pounced on the opportunity to recruit Qleechkhani.
Galatasaray sent two representatives to Parviz, while Ogun, the Fenerbachche Captain, who was also a member of the Turkish national team , started negotiations with Parviz. In response to the interests of the Turks, Qleechkhani said:
" I am still a young boy, I still need to take permission from my parents to leave home. Although I would love to respond to your offers, believe you me, I just think it is far too early in my career to think about professionalism outside my home country. Thank you !"
So , the Turks left disappointed being unable to convince the young man to leave his country. However, that was not to be the end of foreign interest in Qleechkhani, as Nurenburg, the German Bundesliga club showed a similar interest like the Turks after a exhibition game against a Tehran Selection Team. Parviz once again declined the German offer.
After five years of playing with Kayan , he left for Taj Club right after the Asian Championship 1n 1968. This was to be the first club change in his illustrious career and certainly not his last. His skills on the pitch was equaled by his volatile and strong minded attitude and disagreement with coaches off the pitch. For being outspoken player off the field and displaying of strong headed attitude, resulted with various clashes with coaches and managers. That lead him to move from one club to another in his career. He Left Taj to join Pas club before moving to Oghab and eventually leaving to Perspolis.
While playing for Taj , Iran's Military team recruited him for the squad that traveled to Athens, Greece for the World Military Football championship. In the at tournament Iran managed to secure the third place. The Greeks were also impressed with his skills and Olympikaos offered Qleechkhani a contract, but like the other three offers before, he yet again declined.
In 1966 Parviz participated in the fifth Asian Games held in Bangkok, Thailand. The team won the silver medal and the second position
The one attribute that Qleechkhani has left with the crowds in Iran was his remarkable and powerful kicks. The historic goal against Israel in 1968 Asian Championship finals was a classic. A long range shot that rattled the Israeli goal that was to prove to be the winning goal for Iran against Israel after Kalani's first goal. Iran was the new Champions of Asia.
His first success at club level with Taj was in the Cup competition 1n 1347. The year after that and while playing against Pas Club in the league, he was severely injured. That injury eventually required an operation which put him out of action for a over six months.
That injury proved to be quite bitter for Qleechkhani as he missed the opportunity of playing with His Club Taj in the Asian Clubs Championship, which Taj won without him 1n 1970. It also deprived him from winning the inaugural Player of the Year trophy, which he was a strong candidate. He also lost the opportunity to celebrate with Iran in winning the RCD cup for the second time.
in 1971, Qleechkhani fit again, played with his Club Taj in the Asian Clubs Championship in Bangkok. Taj lost the championship crown but managed to win the third place match.
In 1972 Qleechkhani was member of the Iran team that won the second Asian Nations Cup in Bangkok.
Qleechkhani was a strong and strong player who excelled in all the three position, Defense, midfield and Attack. This was perhaps to be one of the drawbacks of his career. However, Parviz real position that he eventually would be the hallmark of his career was the midfield position. His vision, powerful kicks, scoring ability and stamina was ideal for that post. Although fairly short, his aerial skills was remarkable for this utility player.
Qleechkhani first game as Iran's Captain came in the Olympic Games in Munich 1n 1972. After the retirement of Mostafa Arab he was given the honors in the first match against Hungary.
His performance in Brazil "Little World Cup" in 1972 where he scored against Ireland and Ecuador and the Olympic games in Munich in the same years was perhaps the best career performance of Qleechkhani. Another unforgettable achievement came a year later in 1973 when he scored two goals against Australia in the last match of World Cup 1974 qualification round in less than 30 minutes play. A penalty kick and another Qleechkhani specialty, a 30 meters long range shoot that left the Australian goalkeeper gasping for air and the 120,000 partisan crowd in Arayamehr stadium ecstatic.
That game against Australia was proved to be his biggest career disappointment. Although Iran won the match 2-0 , they lost on aggregate after the defeat in Sydney by a 3 goals margin. Iran failed to qualify for World Cup 1974
In 1974 and after the illustrious performance of the previous year, and after the heart breaking failure to reach the finals of the world cup for the first time, Qleechkhani was soon on a winning trail once again , this time in the Asian Games in Tehran.
in 1976 Qleechkhani achieved a remarkable record. For the third time in a row, he was the Asian Nations Cup winner with Iran National Football team. He lifted the Cup as the Captain after beating Kuwait 1-0 in Arayamehr Stadium. This record is still unequalled and chances of such achievement seems to be unlikely equaled or broken.
Qleechkhani played for the national team on and off for 10 years starting from the Olympic Games in Tokyo 1964. His debut was against east Germany. His final game was a friendly in March 1977 against Hungary while Iran was preparing for the World Cup 1978 qualification. It was unfortunate that Qleechkhani never made it to the team for Argentine, That would have capped a marvelous career for him.
On top of his temper , Qleechkhani never achieved his full potential mainly due to some bad injuries and later on his political activities that has brought the wrath of the authorities and the football federation upon him.
He remains one of the legends of Iran's football. He was one of the most complete players that has flourished in his era. His passion for football was unequalled. His bravery, stamina, power and dedication to the team left a eternal mark in football grounds of Iran.
His refusal to play for foreign teams with lucrative contracts and benefits, was a sign of his loyalty for the motherland. His unfortunate problems with the authorities lead to his imprisonment and eventually his retirement from football. After the revolution he quietly left Iran to Europe. He is believed to be still working and living in Europe.
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