ANTRANIK TEYMOURIAN OF IRAN ON EUROPEAN CLUBS WANTED LIST
Author: Farhad

IranFootballOnline, CA
Persian Football, CA
June 29 2006

Upcoming Iranian star Andranik Teymourian is flooded with offers from
European clubs after his powerful performance in the World Cup.

The 23-year-old Iranian of Armenian descent won hearts back home in
Iran with his courageous approach and never-say-die attitude, and
came close to scoring for Team Melli against Portugal in the match
they lost 2-0.

And, Iranian fans were not the only ones sitting up and taking notice
of the midfielder’s outrageous talent.

Speaking exclusively to , Teymourian confirmed that
the club he currently plays for – Iran Pro League outfit Abo Moslem –
had already been approached by several European clubs.

"My club has already received offers (for me) from the Bundesliga,
Italy, Turkey and the Emirates," said Teymourian, who has a one-year
contract with Abo Moslem.

"The decision will be made by my club and I will be talking to them
(Abo Moslem) shortly on this issue."

"Going to Europe is a dream come true for a football player like me,"
added Teymourian.

Teymourian started his football career at Tehran’s Ararat Club and,
after a series of age group competitions, caught the eye in Iran’s
third place finish at the Islamic Solidarity Games.

It was only a matter of time before he broke through to the senior
ranks as coach Branko Ivankovic handed the promising midfielder his
international debut against Libya last August. Since then Teymourian
has made the defensive midfielder’s position his own in 10 starts
for Team Melli.

"I always believed that I would be a regular player in Germany," said
Teymourian. "I trained hard and was inspired. When people say I got my
chance because of injuries to Nikbakht Vahedi and Fereydoon Zandi it
doesn’t matter as I would have been better prepared had they been fit."

The midfielder said the key to his playing uninhibited football
against vaunted rivals was his fitness. "I took great care about my
sleep and food and worked hard on my fitness. I knew that I had to
make the most of this opportunity."

The Iranian refused to find fault with Ivankovic’s tactics at the
World Cup, saying the team could have done better with a little bit
of luck. "I regret our elimination. Tactical issues are none of my
business. I am a player and should follow the rules. But I wish we
were more lucky."

The one abiding memory for Teymourian in this World Cup is decidedly
the fierce shot which shook the woodwork in the match against
Portugal. "Yes…it was offside but I enjoy it when I remember it. It
was my biggest slice of action out there!"

"But the goodbye was as painful as it was untimely. I will never forget
the moment when Farakki (Hossein; assistant coach) came to me and said
‘don’t cry…this is football, we should accept it…we can show our
ability in next year’s AFC Asian Cup and in the 2010 World Cup.

The world has not come to an end’."