Tag: Pas Hamedan

Zahra Khajavi, seeking a historic record.

A 21 years old girl is determined to break a record in Iran’s football.

Despite all the restrictions on women’s sports and particularly football, Iranian girls have hardly lost enthusiasm to pursue their dreams and in many cases, they have actually excelled. Following the Iranian Women’s futsal team winning the Asian title in style, and the nomination of  Katayoon Khosrowyar in the AFC coach of the year category, another girl Zahra Khajavi, is seeking fame in her own right.

This time there is a historic record-breaking attempt of a clean sheet. Zahra Khajavi is the Team Melli goalkeeper and plays for  Vochan Kordestan. She has already amassed 10 matches with a clean sheet, a grand total of 990 minutes without conceding.

Zahra started playing futsal at the age of nine.  After she transferred to football, she joined Pas Hamedan club. The young Iranian goalkeeper, who has been supported by her coach to play as a goalkeeper, is already playing football for six years in the Women’s Premier League. She has played for Pas Hamedan, Ashtrankooh Azna, Shahrdari Bam, Rah Yab Sanandaj (two years) and now Vochan Kordestan.

Zahra
Zahra Khajavi 

The promising Zahra, who already played for Iran’s under-19 and the senior team needs to keep a clean sheet for another 35 minutes in her next match, to claim Iran’s record in men and women’s football. Currently, Payam Niazmand of Team Melli and Sepahan goalkeeper holds the record for men’s goal shut out.

 However, Khajavi and her team have a tough task ahead as they will be meeting one of the top teams’ Shahrdari Bam on Friday and will make history in Iranian men’s and women’s soccer if they succeed. The two teams Shahrdari Bam and Vochan Kordestan have identical records with 10 wins and 30 points respectively without defeat and will compete on Friday for the midseason title.

Team Melli Hopeful: Morteza Tabrizi

Morteza Tabrizi, is one more serious contender for a Team Melli jersey come June 2018 when the whole world will be enjoying the FIFA World cup 2018
A late developer in football, Tabrizi only came into contention a couple of season ago. Tall and skillful, he has an Ali Daei like style. His heading ability and goals from headers are becoming a trademark.

Tabrizi, unlike his surname suggests, was actually born in Hamedan on January 6th, 1991. Played his early football in Talar Vahdat in his home town then Mes Kerman. His senior career started at Pas Hamedan where the tall forward stuttered and only managed to score a few (5 goals) in just short of 3 years. Despite that , he was actually called for the Iran U23 team.

The break for Tabrizi came when he was transferred to Zob Ahan in 2013. The central forward was given ample opportunities to prove his worth and more playing time. Tabrizi`s confidence grew and with it came the goals.
Tabrizi towering physique helped him in scoring freely and specifically beating his markers in the air. He eventually attracted Team Melli selectors attention and was called several times, however he has yet to make his debut.
This season is by far the best that the 27 years old Tabrizi has played in his career. The AFC Champions league seems to be his favorite.


The only doubt that exists in this potentially great match winner is his confidence in front if the goal. He seems to be wasteful at times and could have scored many goals than he actually has if had more assertiveness and determination qualities. His conversion rate could be much better. A good mentor would make Tabrizi a great forward for steam Mell i.

The competition up front for places is quite stiff. In fact the best players of thus current Team Kelli are all forwards. Tabrizi will have a tough time dislodging the others for a place in that plane which will take team Kelli to Moscow, however, he has exceptional heading ability that only Azmoun can match in the squad.

Senior career*

 

Years Team Apps Goals
2010–2013 Pas Hamedan     35 5
2013–  Zob Ahan     133 37
National teams
2012–2014 Iran U23 5 2