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Nasser Hejazi was arguably the best goalkeeper that has appeared in Iranian football in 1970s . Started his career with the famous Taj F.C. Hejazi senior club appearance when he omly 18 during his club's side participation in the Asian Club Championship in 1970 , which Taj won for the firat time.
After the 1978 FIFA World Cup Hejazi received an offer from Manchester United F.C., he trained and played with them for a month even appearing in a reserve match against Stoke City at which time Dave Sexton was coach.
Manchester United F.C. wanted him to stay for another two or three months and then they would officially sign him. Unfortunately there was no-one at the IRFF at the time of the Islamic Revolution to arrange the extension so Manchester United F.C. signed Gary Bailey. He remained as Esteghlal's main goalkeeper until his retirement in the mid-eighties.
[edit] International career
Hejazi joined up with the Team Melli, just in time to feature in the squad that won the Asian Cup in 1968 and picked up two more in 1972 and 1976. He represented Iran at the 1972 Munich Olympics and was Iran's starting goalkeeper at the 1978 FIFA World Cup in Argentina. He was captain of the national team during the 1980 Asian Cup and played his last match for Iran in the semi-final match versus Kuwait. After the tournament a member of Iran's Physical Education Department implemented a plan in which athletes older than 27 years of age would no longer be allowed to compete internationally. Hejazi was effectively forced to retire from international football because of this rule despite being only 29 years old at the time of implementation.
On May 23rd 2011 , Nasser Hejazi succumbed to his long illness and passed away aged 62.
HONORS
Gold Medal Winner Asian Games 1974
Senior career
Years Team
1967
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Club:
Taj
D.O.B:
14.Dec.1949
Born:
Tehran
Height:
186 cm
Weight:
79 Kg
International Debut:
Pakistan 13-Sep-69
Position:
Goalkeeper
Age:
74
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