Karimi picked for Iranian Asian Games squad

AFC - Iran national coach Branco Ivankovic has picked midfield maestro Ali Karimi as one of his three over-aged players to play at the Asian Games in Busan.

The Asian Games will provide an opportunity to see how far the Iranian youth players have progressed under the charge of new coach Ivankovic. Ivankovic was serving as assistant to former Croatia and Iran coach Miroslav Blazevic during the latter's two national stints, and he is confident that Karimi's inclusion into the Asian Games squad will bolster the team's chances in September.

"The World Cup showed that we must never underestimate our opponents and Iran will go to the Busan tournament fully prepared. The youth team players are now fresh and relaxed and we have no injured players at this time," said Ivankovic.

"The decision about the three over-aged players team will be announced after the West Asian Cup tournament in Syria. Hamed Kavianpour has been absent from practices with the National Team due to the objection of his club. Rahman Rezaei (Perugia) will soon join us, with Hossein Kaabi and Siavash Akbarpour likely to join up soon as well.

"We will then go on a 15 day camp to Croatia where we will play 4 friendly matches."