Ahmad Reza Abedzadeh

Ahmad Reza Abedzadeh

File:Abedzadeh2008.jpg
Personal information
Full name	Ahmad Reza Abedzadeh
Date of birth	(1966-05-25) 25 May 1966
Place of birth	Abadan, khouzestan, Iran
Height
Position(s)	Goalkeeper
Youth career
1981–1983	Helal Ahmar Isfahan
1983–1990	Tam
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1983–1985	Tam
1985–1987	Isfahan Province XI
1987–1989	Gendarmerie Tehran
1989–1990	Tam Isfahan
1990–1993	Esteghlal
1993–1994	Sepahan
1994–2000	Persepolis
International career
1984–1987	Iran U-20
1987–1998	Iran	79	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Ahmadreza Abedzadeh (Persian: احمدرضا عابدزاده‎‎, born 25 May 1966 in Abadan) is a retired Iranian football goalkeeper. He played for Esteghlal, Sepahan, Persepolis and the Iranian national football team. His performance led Iran to the World Cup 1998 and his saves helped Iran attain respectable results in the tournament.

International career

Abedzadeh called up at the age of 18 for Iran national under-20 football team in 1984. After his good shows, he was invited to the senior team in 1987 by then-manager Parviz Dehdari. Abedzadeh made his debut in match against Kuwait on 27 February 1987, which he conceded a goal in a 2–1 victory. He started in 1990 Asian Games, which they won the gold medal after defeated North Korea in the final and Abedzadeh saved two penalties. At the tournament, he conceded only two goals which all was scored from penalty kicks.

Iran defeated Australia in the FIFA World Cup qualification play-offs to reach 1998 FIFA World Cup, their second participation in the World Cup and first since 1978. He missed the first match at the World Cup against Yugoslavia due to injury, then captained Iran at the next two matches against United States and Germany. Iran finished third at their group and Abedzadeh announced his retirement from international football after the final match.

Post-playing career

Abedzadeh suffered a stroke in 2001 and that was the point in which he let go of professional football. He was released some weeks later, but required a number of surgeries after, and even to this day, has side effects from his stroke. Abedzadeh suffered again on 11 March 2007 when his mother died.

He was also goalkeeping coach in many clubs after retiring form playing football. He coached Saipa in 2001, Esteghlal Ahvaz in 2005, Persepolis from 2008 to 2009, Steel Azin in 2010 and Los Angeles Blues from 2011 to 2012. He is currently goalkeeping coach at Rah Ahan.

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.

Personal life

He was married in 1988 in the age of 23 and has one daughter, Negar and one son, Amir. Amir is already a youth goalkeeper playing for Persepolis. He has a fast food restaurant in Golhak.

External links

• RSSSF archive of Ahmad Reza Abedzadeh's international appearances

Sporting positions
Preceded by Mojtaba Moharrami	Persepolis F.C. Captain 1996–2000	Succeeded by Afshin Peyrovani
Preceded by Mojtaba Moharrami	Iran national football team Captain 1996–1998	Succeeded by Nader Mohammadkhani