When it comes to AFC Asian Cup legends, the Iranian Parviz Ghleechkhani has no match in the long history of this competition which started way back in 1956.
Iran first participation was in the 1960 edition where they narrowly missed qualification to the finals in a group that also included Israel , Pakistan and India.
Iran hosted the 1968 championship in Tehran where they first tasted the honor of lifting the Asian Cup. Among the squad , a young 22 years old player by the name of Parviz Ghleechkhani made a strong impression. The Kian FC midfielder has already represented Iran as a 18 years old player in the football competition of the Olympics Games Tokyo 1964. Selection of a player as such age to represent Iran in one of the major competitions was unprecedented. Ghleechkhani was a unique talent as he continued his progress in the domestic scene becoming a fixed player for Team Melli.
The historic win by Iran was the beginning of the rise of Persian football power in the continent. Iran’s Captain Hassan Habibi lifted the Cup in full capacity Amjadiea stadium but very few predicted at the time that Ghleechkhani will repeat this three consecutive times.
The move that made the biggest difference in Ghleechkhani career was his transfer to Taj Club. Arguably the top club in Tehran and by far the richest in Iran, Ghleechkhani’s career under professional coaching and management took a meteoric rise. By 1972 , Iran was the defending champion in the AFC Asian Cup held in Bangkok, Thailand. Between the two Asian Cups , Ghleechkhani’s continued success was evident in another major achievement with his club and a first for Iran’s football. Taj Club, with a youthful, skillful and aspiring squad under a shrewd coaching of the Yugoslav Ryjkov, won Asia’s top club competition. However, Gleechkhani was injured at the time and could not play with the team, nevertheless he was awarded the winner’s medal .
By 1972 Asian Cup , Ghleechkhani became a household name in Iran. Team Melli squad at the time had an abundance of quality players enriching the squad like Kalani, Behzadi , Habibi , Ali Jabbari and the rest . However, all these stars where at the twilight of their careers. Ghleechkhani , still young, powerful . motivated and skillful complimented the squad and made the difference. Ghleechkhani added advantage at this stage of his career was his experience as a utility player who operated in all the three lines, as a defender, midfield player and a forward, whenever required.
For the second consecutive time , Iran won the AFC Asian Cup and successfully defended the title by defeating South Korea 2-1 at extra time. The win was emphatic end to the campaign and the first ever success for an Iranian team away from home. Once again Iran won the with ease playing 5 matches and winning them all with a 12 goal haul and only 2 against. Parviz Ghleechkhani was ever present in all the matches and as expected, he was one of the key players of the team
In 1976 , Iran once again hosted the AFC Asian Cup. Ghleechkhani was now 30 years old, but still a star and key player. Some of the off field events , including political activities threatened to end his career prematurely, but the powerful man bounced back and was included in the squad for the 1976 AFC Asian Cup.
For the third time , Iran won the title and for the third consecutive time Parviz Ghleechkhani was a champion of Asia. The only match he missed was because the coach decided to field the reserve team against a weak opposition in 1976. Heshmat Mohajerani fielded the reserves team against South Yemen opting to rest the main players and still came out winners 8-0 .
Iran won the final match against Kuwait 1-0 from Ali Parvin’s goal from a free kick.
Gleechkhani was a strong player who excelled in all the three position, Defense, midfield and Attack. However, Parviz real position that would eventually 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.
From 1968 to 1976 , Gleechkhani played in 12 out of 13 matches of Iran’s Team Melli in the AFC Asian Cup. 13 wins out of 13 with 36 goals scored and 8 conceded. Gleechkhani scored 2 goals in the Asian Cup and remains the only Iranian player that has held the Trophy on 3 consecutive occasions.
