Ahmad Reza Abedzadeh
Encyclopedia
Ahmadreza Abedzadeh is a retired Iran
ian football goalkeeper. He played for Esteghlal F.C., Sepahan F.C., Persepolis F.C. and the 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.
. 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.
is rivaled only by Nasser Hejazi
.
. His son, Amir is already a youth goalkepper that now plays for Los Angeles Blues
. He has a fast food restaurant in Golhak and now working as its manager.
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
ian football goalkeeper. He played for Esteghlal F.C., Sepahan F.C., Persepolis F.C. and the Iranian national football team
Iran national football team
The national football team of Iran represents Iran in international football competitions and is controlled by the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran...
.
Abedzadeh is one of the best known goalkeepers in Iranian football
Football in Iran
Football in Iran is quite possibly the most popular sport, with only wrestling and volleyball being able to match its popularity. Football has been a part of life for Iranians for many decades now and is played in schools, alleys, streets and football clubs nationwide.-History of football in...
history. His spirit and quick moves led Iran
Iran national football team
The national football team of Iran represents Iran in international football competitions and is controlled by the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran...
to the World Cup 1998 and his fantastic saves helped Iran
Iran national football team
The national football team of Iran represents Iran in international football competitions and is controlled by the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran...
attain respectable results in the tournament.
Statistics
- Number of International Caps: 79
- First International Cap: February 27, 1987 Iran Vs. KuwaitKuwait national football teamThe Kuwait National Football Team is the national team of Kuwait and is controlled by the Kuwait Football Association. They made one World Cup Finals appearance, in 1982, managing a draw with Czechoslovakia but losing to England and France. During the match against France, France scored a goal...
2-1 - Last International Cap: June 25, 1998 Iran Vs. GermanyGermany national football teamThe Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
0-2
Later years
Abedzadeh suffered a stroke in 2002 and that was the point in which he let go of professional footballFootball (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
. 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
Persepolis FC
Persepolis Football Club is an Iranian football club based in Tehran. Persepolis F.C. is the football club of the multisport Persepolis Athletic and Cultural Club....
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 IranIran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
is rivaled only by Nasser Hejazi
Nasser Hejazi
Nasser Hejazi nicknamed "Ostureh" ; was an Iranian football player and coach who most notably played for Esteghlal Tehran....
.
Iran
- Asian GamesAsian GamesThe Asian Games, officially known as Asiad, is a multi-sport event held every four years among athletes from all over Asia. The Games were regulated by the Asian Games Federation from the first Games in New Delhi, India, until the 1978 Games. Since the 1982 Games they have been organised by the...
- 1990 Asian Games1990 Asian GamesThe 11th Asian Games also known as XI Asiad were held from September 22, 1990 to October 7, 1990 in Beijing, China. It was the first large-scale international sports event to be held in the People's Republic of China. A total number of 6,122 athletes, coming from 37 countries, competed in 29 sports...
Champions
- 1990 Asian Games
- FIFAFIFAThe Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
World Cup- 19981998 FIFA World CupThe 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 2 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...
, Group Stage- Appearances and Goals: (2 matches, 0 goals)
- 1998
- AFC Asian CupAFC Asian CupThe AFC Asian Cup is an international association football tournament run by the Asian Football Confederation . It is the second oldest continental football championship in the world after Copa América. The winning team becomes the champion of Asia and automatically qualifies for the FIFA...
- 19881988 AFC Asian CupThe Asian Football Confederation's 1988 AFC Asian Cup finals were held in Qatar between December 2 and December 18. Saudi Arabia defeated Republic of Korea in the final match in Doha.-Qualification:...
, Third Place - 19921992 AFC Asian CupThe Asian Football Confederation's 1992 AFC Asian Cup finals were held in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan between October 29 and November 8. The host nation, Japan, defeated the defending champion Saudi Arabia in the final in Hiroshima.-Stadiums:...
, Group Stage - 19961996 AFC Asian CupThe Asian Football Confederation's 1996 AFC Asian Cup finals were held in the United Arab Emirates between December 4 and December 21. Saudi Arabia defeated host nation U.A.E. in the final match in Abu Dhabi.-Qualification:...
, Third Place
- 1988
Esteghlal FC
- Asian Club Championship
- 1990-91Asian Club Championship 1990-91The Asian Club Championship 1990-91 was the 10th edition of the annual Asian club football competition hosted by Asian Football Confederation.Esteghlal FC from Iran won the final and became Asian champions for the second time ....
Champions - 1991-92Asian Club Championship 1991-92The Asian Club Championship 1991-92 was the 11th edition of the annual Asian club football competition hosted by Asian Football Confederation.Al-Hilal from Saudi Arabia won the final and became the first Asian Championship winner from Saudi Arabia....
Runner-up
- 1990-91
- Azadegan League
- 1991-92 Runner-up
- Qods League
- 1989-1990 Champions
- Hazfi Cup
- 1990-1991 Runner-up
Persepolis FC
- Azadegan League
- Winner: 4
- 1995-96, 1996-97, 1998-99, 1999-00
- Winner: 4
- Hazfi CupHazfi CupThe Hazfi Cup is a knockout cup competition in Iranian football, run by the Iranian Football Federation. The competition wasn't regarded important by clubs until the IRIFF decided to award one of Iran's four AFC Champions League spots to the champion....
- Winner: 1
- 1998–99Hazfi Cup 1998-99The Hazfi Cup 1998–99 was the 12th staging of Iran's football knockout competition.-Semifinals:-Final:- References :http://www.rsssf.com/tablesi/iran99.html...
- 1998–99
- Winner: 1
Personal life
He was married in 1988 in the age of 23 and has one daughter, Negar and one son, AmirAmir Abedzadeh
Amir Abedzadeh is an Iranian footballer who currently plays for Los Angeles Blues in the USL Professional Division.He is the son of former Iranian national team goalkeeper Ahmad Reza Abedzadeh.-Club career:...
. His son, Amir is already a youth goalkepper that now plays for Los Angeles Blues
Los Angeles Blues
Los Angeles Blues is an American soccer team based in the Los Angeles suburb of Fullerton, California, United States. Founded in 2010, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
. He has a fast food restaurant in Golhak and now working as its manager.