Ahmad Reza Abedzadeh

Football player infobox
playername = Ahmad Reza Abedzadeh


fullname = Ahmad Reza Abedzadeh
height = height|m=1.96
nickname = "Eagle of Asia"
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1966|5|25
cityofbirth = Abadan
countryofbirth = Iran
currentclub =
clubnumber =
position = Goalkeeper
youthyears = 1981-1983
youthclubs = Helal-e-Ahmar
years = 1983-1985
1985-1987
1987-1989
1989-1990
1990-1993
1993-1994
1994-2000
clubs = Tam Isfahan
Isfahan Selection
Gendarmerie Tehran
Tam Isfahan
Esteghlal F.C.
Sepahan F.C.
Persepolis F.C.
caps(goals) =





91 (1)
nationalyears = 1987-1998
nationalteam = Iran
nationalcaps(goals) = 79 (0)
manageryears =2001
2005
2008–
managerclubs = Saipa (Goalkeeping Coach)
Esteghlal Ahvaz (Goalkeeping Coach)
Persepolis (Goalkeeping Coach)

Ahmadreza Abedzadeh (PerB| احمدرضا عابدزاده , born May 25, 1966 in Abadan) is an Iranian former goalkeeper of Esteghlal F.C., Persepolis F.C. and Iranian national football team. Abedzadeh is one of the best known goalkeepers in Iranian football history. His spirit and quick moves led Iran to the World Cup 1998 and his fantastic saves helped Iran attain respectable results in the tournament.

Statistics

:Number of International Caps: 79:First International C
February 27, 1987 Iran Vs. Kuwait 2-1:Last International C
June 25, 1998 Iran Vs. Germany 0-2

Later years

Unfortunately Abedzadeh suffered a stroke in 2002 and that was the point in which he let go of professional football. During his time in the hospital, many of his loyal fans and most of Iran prayed for him to be better. He was released some weeks later, but required a number of surgeries after, and even to this day, he has side effects from his stroke. Abedzadeh suffered again on March 11, 2007 when his mother died.

On January 13, 2006, Abedzadeh had his farewell game, playing for Iranian giants and his former club Persepolis FC in a friendly match against Bayern Munich.

Legacy

Dubbed the "Eagle of Asia" for his ability to protect the net, his international career stretched for an illustrious 11 years, a tenure that provided stability and uncanny leadership. His goalkeeping legacy in Iran is rivaled only by Nasser Hejazi and Behrouz Soltani.

Honors

With Esteghlal FC

*AFC Champions League, 1991 Champions (beating Liaoning FC 2-1 in the final)

External links

* [http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/abedzadeh-intl.html RSSSF archive of Ahmad Reza Abedzadeh's international appearances]