Ferydoon Zandi
Encyclopedia
Ferydoon Zandi is an Iranian-German
professional
footballer who is currently playing for Esteghlal
in Iran Pro League.
, in northern Germany
, to an Iran
ian father and a German mother. He speaks German and Persian
. Ferydoon started playing football at an early age when his talent shone through his playing for a number of youth clubs in and near his hometown.
and played for the SV Meppen
before being signed by SC Freiburg
. There, he failed to establish himself as a starter and was traded to the second-division club VfB Lübeck
. After struggling again initially, Zandi spectacularly broke through and established himself as one of the most dangerous and versatile attackers of the Second Bundesliga. He regularly was one of the top scorers and assist givers.
After enjoying two successful seasons in Lübeck
, he was signed by 1. FC Kaiserslautern
in 2004
and given the number 10 to underline his importance. However, Zandi struggled with his form, arguably not helped by the fact that 1. FCK was then a club in flux, with a high turnover of players after heavy financial problems. He still managed to become a starter and score important goals, but the overall impression was that Zandi failed to live up to the expectations from his strong Lübeck stint.
In season 2005/06
, Zandi's position further worsened. In a chaotic season in which 1. FCK spectacularly crashed to the end of the table, he lost his position as a starting playmaker, was benched for a longer period of time, and even had periods when he even failed to be nominated as a bench player at all. Trainer Wolfgang Wolf
refused to play him in the second half of the season, and after the relegation of FCK, Zandi is confirmed to be cut from the squad. Also, Amir Ghalenoei
, the new manager of Iran national football team
, did not invite Ferydoon to the Iranian squad for the Asian Cup qualification games.
In September 2006, he signed a one-year contract with 2nd Bundesliga club TuS Koblenz
, however in January 2007 Zandi left TuS Koblenz
due to the limited number of appearance he made.
On January 2, 2007, Zandi signed a contract till the end of the 2006-07 season
with Apollon Limassol
of Cyprus
.
Since Zandi's return from the 2007 AFC Asian Cup
he has be linked with moves to Steaua Bucureşti, Rapid Bucureşti and Birmingham City
.
On January 18, 2008, he joined Olympiakos Nicosia
.
On March 24, 2009, Zandi signed Alki Larnaca for a one-year contract.He had his best season after 2 or 3 years and was the top scorer for Alki Larnaca.
in 2009 and stayed there for two seasons.
|-
|1998–99 ||rowspan="2"|Mappen
||rowspan="2"|3rd Liga
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|1999–00||31||10||||||-||-||||
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|2000–01||rowspan="2"|Freiburg
||rowspan="2"|Bundesliga
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|2001–02||3||0||1||0||-||-||4||0
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|2002–03||rowspan="2"|Lubeck
||rowspan="2"|2.Bundesliga
||25||6||||||-||-||||
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|2003–04
||29||14||||||-||-||||
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|2004–05 ||rowspan="2"|Kaiserslautern
||rowspan="2"|Bundesliga
||26||0||1||3||-||-||27||3
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|2005–06
||19||0||1||0||-||-||20||0
|-
|2006–07 ||rowspan="1"|Koblenz
||rowspan="1"|2.Bundesliga
||8||0||0||0||-||-||8||0
|-
|-
|2006–07 ||rowspan="1"|Apollon Limassol
||rowspan="3"|Cypriot First Division
||10||2||||||-||-||||
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|2007–08 ||rowspan="1"|Olympiakos Nicosia
||10||4||||||-||-||||
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|2008–09||rowspan="1"|Alki Larnaca
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|2009–10 ||rowspan="2"|Steel Azin
||rowspan="3"|Persian Gulf Cup
||17||1||1||0||-||-||18||1
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|2010–11
||22||1||3||1||-||-||25||2
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|2011–12
||rowspan="1"|Esteghlal||4||0||1||0||0||0||5||0
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177||35||||||-||-||||
43||18||||||-||-||||
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in the second round of 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
against Bahrain. After the qualifications he did not compete again on the team until being invited again for the 2007 AFC Asian Cup
.
He was recalled to the national squad in March 2007 for a friendly against Qatar
, included in the Asian Cup squad, and was featured for Iran in the friendly match against Mexico
in June 2007.
On July 15, 2007 he scored from a free kick for Iran in their 2-2 draw versus China
in the 2007 Asian Cup.
He also played for Iran in 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
.
as head coach of Iran
, he was asked to choose Iran over Germany
. In the Iranian team, Zandi, being a left-footed skillful attacking player, was just what Ivankovic needed in his squad. After much doubt and rumours he eventually made the decision to play for Iran.
On June 8, 2005, Zandi was one of the starting players of Iran's World Cup qualifying
game and 1-0 win against Bahrain
, to book their place at the 2006 FIFA World Cup
, which was ironically for Zandi held in none other than Germany
.
Zandi has also shown heavy potential when taking free kicks. In Iran
's 2-1 victory against Azerbaijan
, Ferydoon Zandi shot a beautiful freekick that curved around the defensive wall and into the net, from a couple of meters outside the box. He has also scored a crucial goals in the AFC Asian Cup 2007 by scoring a beautiful free kick just before halftime to keep Iran's hopes up against China.
However, Zandi's performances in the Iranian team was overshadowed by lackluster appearances in the Bundesliga, where he had failed to live up to his promise. It was hinted that the chaotic environment of perennial relegation candidate 1. FCK was numbing him, but Zandi was regarded as an unremarkable player on a failing squad. His second season half with 1. FCK
was dismal, as he even failed to get nominated to a bench spot.
Whilst at Apollon
, Zandi scored against Aris a fantastic corner-goal in their 2-1 win. He is a versatile player since he can play as an attacking midfielder and left midfielder as well as at left back.
Iranians in Germany
Iranians in Germany include immigrants from Iran to Germany as well as their descendants of Iranian heritage or background. There are 100 000 to 120 000 ethnic Iranians living in Germany. With around 25.000 people of Iranian descent, Hamburg is the main center of the Iranian Diaspora There are a...
professional
Professional
A professional is a person who is paid to undertake a specialised set of tasks and to complete them for a fee. The traditional professions were doctors, lawyers, clergymen, and commissioned military officers. Today, the term is applied to estate agents, surveyors , environmental scientists,...
footballer who is currently playing for Esteghlal
Esteghlal FC
Esteghlal Cultural and Athletic Club is an Iranian sports club most widely known for its professional football team based in Tehran. It was founded as Taj , meaning 'Crown' in Persian and renamed after the Islamic Revoloution in 1979...
in Iran Pro League.
Childhood
Zandi was born in the city of EmdenEmden
Emden is a city and seaport in the northwest of Germany, on the river Ems. It is the main city of the region of East Frisia; in 2006, the city had a total population of 51,692.-History:...
, in northern Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, to an Iran
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 father and a German mother. He speaks German and Persian
Persian language
Persian is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It is primarily spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and countries which historically came under Persian influence...
. Ferydoon started playing football at an early age when his talent shone through his playing for a number of youth clubs in and near his hometown.
Club career
Zandi was called up for the German under-17 national football teamGermany national football team
The 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....
and played for the SV Meppen
SV Meppen
SV Meppen is a German association football club playing in Meppen, Lower Saxony. The club was founded on 29 November 1912 as Amisia Meppen and joined Männer-Turnverein Meppen on 8 February 1920 to form TuS Meppen 1912...
before being signed by SC Freiburg
SC Freiburg
Sport-Club Freiburg, commonly known as SC Freiburg, is a German association football club, based in the city of Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden-Württemberg. SC Freiburg has played in the Bundesliga, the top tier of German football, since their promotion in 2009...
. There, he failed to establish himself as a starter and was traded to the second-division club VfB Lübeck
VfB Lübeck
VfB Lübeck is a German association football club playing in Lübeck, Schleswig-Holstein in the country's north. In addition to its football side the 1,000 member sports club also has departments for badminton, women's gymnastics, handball, and table tennis....
. After struggling again initially, Zandi spectacularly broke through and established himself as one of the most dangerous and versatile attackers of the Second Bundesliga. He regularly was one of the top scorers and assist givers.
After enjoying two successful seasons in Lübeck
Lübeck
The Hanseatic City of Lübeck is the second-largest city in Schleswig-Holstein, in northern Germany, and one of the major ports of Germany. It was for several centuries the "capital" of the Hanseatic League and, because of its Brick Gothic architectural heritage, is listed by UNESCO as a World...
, he was signed by 1. FC Kaiserslautern
1. FC Kaiserslautern
1. Fußball-Club Kaiserslautern, also known as 1. FCK, FCK or simply Kaiserslautern, is a German association football club based in Kaiserslautern, Rhineland-Palatinate. On 2 June 1900, Germania 1896 and FG Kaiserslautern merged to create FC 1900...
in 2004
2004 in football (soccer)
The following are the association football events of the year 2004 throughout the world.-Events:*5 January – Manager Mark Wotte leaves Dutch club Willem II Tilburg and becomes technical director at Feyenoord Rotterdam....
and given the number 10 to underline his importance. However, Zandi struggled with his form, arguably not helped by the fact that 1. FCK was then a club in flux, with a high turnover of players after heavy financial problems. He still managed to become a starter and score important goals, but the overall impression was that Zandi failed to live up to the expectations from his strong Lübeck stint.
In season 2005/06
Football-Bundesliga 2004/05
Fußball-Bundesliga 2004–05 was the 42nd season of Germany's premier football league.-Final standings:-Top scorers:-Champion Squad:-See also:*Bundesliga...
, Zandi's position further worsened. In a chaotic season in which 1. FCK spectacularly crashed to the end of the table, he lost his position as a starting playmaker, was benched for a longer period of time, and even had periods when he even failed to be nominated as a bench player at all. Trainer Wolfgang Wolf
Wolfgang Wolf
Wolfgang Wolf is a German football coach and a former player.-Career:As a player, he spent 12 seasons in the Bundesliga with 1. FC Kaiserslautern and Stuttgarter Kickers.-Coaching career:...
refused to play him in the second half of the season, and after the relegation of FCK, Zandi is confirmed to be cut from the squad. Also, Amir Ghalenoei
Amir Ghalenoei
Amir Ghalenoei is an Iranian football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach of Tractor Sazi...
, the new manager of Iran 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...
, did not invite Ferydoon to the Iranian squad for the Asian Cup qualification games.
In September 2006, he signed a one-year contract with 2nd Bundesliga club TuS Koblenz
TuS Koblenz
TuS Koblenz is a German association football club, located in Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate. Fussball Club Deutschland Neuendorf, which was formed in 1911, is viewed as the foundation of the modern club.-Play under the Third Reich:...
, however in January 2007 Zandi left TuS Koblenz
TuS Koblenz
TuS Koblenz is a German association football club, located in Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate. Fussball Club Deutschland Neuendorf, which was formed in 1911, is viewed as the foundation of the modern club.-Play under the Third Reich:...
due to the limited number of appearance he made.
On January 2, 2007, Zandi signed a contract till the end of the 2006-07 season
Cypriot First Division 2006-07
- Final standings :Updated as of May 16, 2007Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points...
with Apollon Limassol
Apollon Limassol
Apollon Limassol is a Greek Cypriot sports club, based in Limassol. It has football, basketball and volleyball teams. Founded in 1954, Apollon F.C...
of Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
.
Since Zandi's return from the 2007 AFC Asian Cup
2007 AFC Asian Cup
The Asian Football Confederation's 2007 AFC Asian Cup finals were held from July 7 to July 29, 2007. For the first time in its history, the competition was co-hosted by four nations: Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. The tournament was won by first-time champions Iraq, who defeated Saudi...
he has be linked with moves to Steaua Bucureşti, Rapid Bucureşti and Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
.
On January 18, 2008, he joined Olympiakos Nicosia
Olympiakos Nicosia
Olympiakos Nicosia is a football club in the Cypriot capital of Nicosia. The club was founded in 1931. It is a founding member of the Cyprus Football Association. The club colors are black and green. Olympiakos's home ground is the New GSP Stadium of 23,400 seat capacity...
.
On March 24, 2009, Zandi signed Alki Larnaca for a one-year contract.He had his best season after 2 or 3 years and was the top scorer for Alki Larnaca.
Iran
He joined the Iranian side Steel AzinSteel Azin F.C.
Steel Azin Football Club is an Iranian football club based in Semnan, Iran.The club is owned by Hossein Hedayati, owner of Steel Azin Co.Steel Azin club also had a volleyball team, sponsored by the same Company, which competed in the Iranian Volleyball Super League.-Ekbatan football club:Ekbatan...
in 2009 and stayed there for two seasons.
Esteghlal
on August 2011 he joined to Esteghlal.but he started season with an injury.on 22 October he made his debut for Esteghlal and made an assist against Zobhan.Club career Statistics
Last update: 28 November 2011|-
|1998–99 ||rowspan="2"|Mappen
SV Meppen
SV Meppen is a German association football club playing in Meppen, Lower Saxony. The club was founded on 29 November 1912 as Amisia Meppen and joined Männer-Turnverein Meppen on 8 February 1920 to form TuS Meppen 1912...
||rowspan="2"|3rd Liga
3rd Liga
The 3rd Liga is the third division of football in Germany. The league started with the beginning of the 2008–09 season, when it replaced the Regionalliga as the third tier football league in Germany. In the German football league system, it is positioned between the 2...
||29||5||||||-||-||||
|-
|1999–00||31||10||||||-||-||||
|-
|2000–01||rowspan="2"|Freiburg
SC Freiburg
Sport-Club Freiburg, commonly known as SC Freiburg, is a German association football club, based in the city of Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden-Württemberg. SC Freiburg has played in the Bundesliga, the top tier of German football, since their promotion in 2009...
||rowspan="2"|Bundesliga
Fußball-Bundesliga
The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
||7||0||1||0||-||-||8||0
|-
|2001–02||3||0||1||0||-||-||4||0
|-
|2002–03||rowspan="2"|Lubeck
VfB Lübeck
VfB Lübeck is a German association football club playing in Lübeck, Schleswig-Holstein in the country's north. In addition to its football side the 1,000 member sports club also has departments for badminton, women's gymnastics, handball, and table tennis....
||rowspan="2"|2.Bundesliga
2. Fußball-Bundesliga
- Changes in division set-up :* Number of clubs: currently 18. From 1974 to 1981 there were two conferences, each of 20 teams. In 1981–91 it had 20...
||25||6||||||-||-||||
|-
|2003–04
||29||14||||||-||-||||
|-
|2004–05 ||rowspan="2"|Kaiserslautern
1. FC Kaiserslautern
1. Fußball-Club Kaiserslautern, also known as 1. FCK, FCK or simply Kaiserslautern, is a German association football club based in Kaiserslautern, Rhineland-Palatinate. On 2 June 1900, Germania 1896 and FG Kaiserslautern merged to create FC 1900...
||rowspan="2"|Bundesliga
Fußball-Bundesliga
The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
||26||0||1||3||-||-||27||3
|-
|2005–06
||19||0||1||0||-||-||20||0
|-
|2006–07 ||rowspan="1"|Koblenz
TuS Koblenz
TuS Koblenz is a German association football club, located in Koblenz, Rhineland-Palatinate. Fussball Club Deutschland Neuendorf, which was formed in 1911, is viewed as the foundation of the modern club.-Play under the Third Reich:...
||rowspan="1"|2.Bundesliga
2. Fußball-Bundesliga
- Changes in division set-up :* Number of clubs: currently 18. From 1974 to 1981 there were two conferences, each of 20 teams. In 1981–91 it had 20...
||8||0||0||0||-||-||8||0
|-
|-
|2006–07 ||rowspan="1"|Apollon Limassol
Apollon Limassol
Apollon Limassol is a Greek Cypriot sports club, based in Limassol. It has football, basketball and volleyball teams. Founded in 1954, Apollon F.C...
||rowspan="3"|Cypriot First Division
Cypriot First Division
The Cypriot Championship First Division is the top tier football league competition in Cyprus. As of 2007 it is sponsored by Marfin Popular Bank and is hence officially known as Marfin Laiki League .-Format:...
||10||2||||||-||-||||
|-
|2007–08 ||rowspan="1"|Olympiakos Nicosia
Olympiakos Nicosia
Olympiakos Nicosia is a football club in the Cypriot capital of Nicosia. The club was founded in 1931. It is a founding member of the Cyprus Football Association. The club colors are black and green. Olympiakos's home ground is the New GSP Stadium of 23,400 seat capacity...
||10||4||||||-||-||||
|-
|2008–09||rowspan="1"|Alki Larnaca
Alki Larnaca FC
Alki Larnaca is a Cypriot football club based in the town of Larnaca. The club was founded in 1948 and the club's colours are blue and red. They reached the Cypriot Cup final on 5 occasions without a win.1979 was the best year in club's history...
||23||12||||||-||-||||
|-
|-
|2009–10 ||rowspan="2"|Steel Azin
Steel Azin F.C.
Steel Azin Football Club is an Iranian football club based in Semnan, Iran.The club is owned by Hossein Hedayati, owner of Steel Azin Co.Steel Azin club also had a volleyball team, sponsored by the same Company, which competed in the Iranian Volleyball Super League.-Ekbatan football club:Ekbatan...
||rowspan="3"|Persian Gulf Cup
||17||1||1||0||-||-||18||1
|-
|2010–11
||22||1||3||1||-||-||25||2
|-
|2011–12
2011–12 Persian Gulf Cup
The 2011–12 Persian Gulf Cup will be the eleventh season of the Iran Pro League and the sixth under the name Persian Gulf Cup. Sepahan are the defending champions. The regular season started on 2 August 2011.- Stadia and locations :...
||rowspan="1"|Esteghlal||4||0||1||0||0||0||5||0
|-
177||35||||||-||-||||
43||18||||||-||-||||
43||2||5||1||-||-||47||3
259||54||||||-||-||||
- Assist Goals
Season Team Assists 2009–10 Steel Azin Steel Azin F.C.Steel Azin Football Club is an Iranian football club based in Semnan, Iran.The club is owned by Hossein Hedayati, owner of Steel Azin Co.Steel Azin club also had a volleyball team, sponsored by the same Company, which competed in the Iranian Volleyball Super League.-Ekbatan football club:Ekbatan...2 2010–11 Steel Azin Steel Azin F.C.Steel Azin Football Club is an Iranian football club based in Semnan, Iran.The club is owned by Hossein Hedayati, owner of Steel Azin Co.Steel Azin club also had a volleyball team, sponsored by the same Company, which competed in the Iranian Volleyball Super League.-Ekbatan football club:Ekbatan...1 2011–12 2011–12 Persian Gulf CupThe 2011–12 Persian Gulf Cup will be the eleventh season of the Iran Pro League and the sixth under the name Persian Gulf Cup. Sepahan are the defending champions. The regular season started on 2 August 2011.- Stadia and locations :...Esteghlal 0
International career
Raised in Germany, Zandi did not initially have the permission to play for his ancestral Iran as he did not have passport. However, the Iranian Football Federation obtained permission for him to play for them, and Zandi began to compete on the Iranian national sideIran 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...
in the second round of 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
A total of 197 teams entered the qualification process for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, competing for a total of 32 spots in the final tournament. Germany, as the host, qualified automatically, leaving 31 spots open for competition...
against Bahrain. After the qualifications he did not compete again on the team until being invited again for the 2007 AFC Asian Cup
2007 AFC Asian Cup
The Asian Football Confederation's 2007 AFC Asian Cup finals were held from July 7 to July 29, 2007. For the first time in its history, the competition was co-hosted by four nations: Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. The tournament was won by first-time champions Iraq, who defeated Saudi...
.
He was recalled to the national squad in March 2007 for a friendly against Qatar
Qatar national football team
The Qatar national football team is the national team of Qatar and is controlled by the Qatar Football Association. They have never qualified for a FIFA World Cup but are hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The team has also appeared in seven AFC Asian Cup tournaments and hosted the 2011 AFC Asian...
, included in the Asian Cup squad, and was featured for Iran in the friendly match against Mexico
Mexico national football team
The Mexican national football team represents Mexico in association football and is governed by the Mexican Football Federation , the governing body for football in Mexico. Mexico's home stadium is the Estadio Azteca and their head coach is José Manuel de la Torre...
in June 2007.
On July 15, 2007 he scored from a free kick for Iran in their 2-2 draw versus China
China national football team
The China PR national football team is the national association football team of the People's Republic of China and is governed by the Chinese Football Association...
in the 2007 Asian Cup.
He also played for Iran in 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
The qualification competition for the 2010 FIFA World Cup was a series of tournaments organised by the six FIFA confederations. Each confederation — the AFC , CAF , CONCACAF , CONMEBOL , OFC , and UEFA — was allocated a certain number of the 32 places at the tournament...
.
International goals
- Scores and results list Iran's goal tally first.
# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1 28 May 2005 Azadi Stadium Azadi StadiumThe Azadi Stadium formerly Aryamehr Stadium is Iran's national stadium and the largest in the country. The Azadi stadium officially has a capacity of 100,000 people and was built to host the 1974 Asian Games...
, TehranTehranTehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...
1-0 2-1 International Match 2 15 July 2007 Bukit Jalil Stadium, Kuala Lumpur Kuala LumpurKuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
1-2 2-2 2007 AFC Asian Cup 2007 AFC Asian CupThe Asian Football Confederation's 2007 AFC Asian Cup finals were held from July 7 to July 29, 2007. For the first time in its history, the competition was co-hosted by four nations: Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. The tournament was won by first-time champions Iraq, who defeated Saudi...3 7 June 2008 Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain Al AinAl Ain |Spring]]), also known as the Garden City due to its greenery, is the second largest city in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the fourth largest city in the United Arab Emirates. With a population of 374,000 , it is located approximately 160 km east of the capital Abu Dhabi and about...
1-0 1-0 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification 2010 FIFA World Cup qualificationThe qualification competition for the 2010 FIFA World Cup was a series of tournaments organised by the six FIFA confederations. Each confederation — the AFC , CAF , CONCACAF , CONMEBOL , OFC , and UEFA — was allocated a certain number of the 32 places at the tournament...4 31 August 2009 Bahrain National Stadium Bahrain National StadiumThe Bahrain National Stadium is the national stadium of Bahrain, located in East Riffa. It can accommodate 35,000 people and is used mostly for football matches. It was built in 1982. Various aspects of the stadium will be renovated, such as the seats and roof.-External links:**...
, Riffa1-2 2-4 Friendly 5 31 August 2009 Bahrain National Stadium Bahrain National StadiumThe Bahrain National Stadium is the national stadium of Bahrain, located in East Riffa. It can accommodate 35,000 people and is used mostly for football matches. It was built in 1982. Various aspects of the stadium will be renovated, such as the seats and roof.-External links:**...
, Riffa2-3 2-4 Friendly
Skill and potential
Zandi's strong points are his agility, creativity and sulang-fa ball passing and crossing skills. After the signing of Branko IvankovicBranko Ivankovic
Branko Ivanković is a Croatian football coach and former player. After a 12-year playing career at Varteks Varaždin, Ivanković started his coaching career at the same club in 1991. He led the Iranian national football team at the 2006 World Cup...
as head coach of 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...
, he was asked to choose Iran over Germany
Germany national football team
The 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....
. In the Iranian team, Zandi, being a left-footed skillful attacking player, was just what Ivankovic needed in his squad. After much doubt and rumours he eventually made the decision to play for Iran.
On June 8, 2005, Zandi was one of the starting players of Iran's World Cup qualifying
2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
A total of 197 teams entered the qualification process for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, competing for a total of 32 spots in the final tournament. Germany, as the host, qualified automatically, leaving 31 spots open for competition...
game and 1-0 win against Bahrain
Bahrain national football team
The Bahrain national football team is the national team of the Kingdom of Bahrain and is controlled by the Bahrain Football Association; it was founded in 1951 and joined FIFA in 1966. They have never reached the finals of the World Cup, but have twice come within one match of doing so...
, to book their place at the 2006 FIFA World Cup
Iran at the 2006 FIFA World Cup
Iran participated in the 2006 FIFA World Cup. This was their third appearance.-World Cup Squad:Pld = matches played, YC = yellow cards, RC = red cards.-Round Robin:See also: 2006 FIFA World Cup - Group DFirst Round...
, which was ironically for Zandi held in none other than Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
.
Zandi has also shown heavy potential when taking free kicks. In 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...
's 2-1 victory against Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan national football team
The Azerbaijan national football team is the national football team of Azerbaijan and is controlled by Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan...
, Ferydoon Zandi shot a beautiful freekick that curved around the defensive wall and into the net, from a couple of meters outside the box. He has also scored a crucial goals in the AFC Asian Cup 2007 by scoring a beautiful free kick just before halftime to keep Iran's hopes up against China.
However, Zandi's performances in the Iranian team was overshadowed by lackluster appearances in the Bundesliga, where he had failed to live up to his promise. It was hinted that the chaotic environment of perennial relegation candidate 1. FCK was numbing him, but Zandi was regarded as an unremarkable player on a failing squad. His second season half with 1. FCK
1. FC Kaiserslautern
1. Fußball-Club Kaiserslautern, also known as 1. FCK, FCK or simply Kaiserslautern, is a German association football club based in Kaiserslautern, Rhineland-Palatinate. On 2 June 1900, Germania 1896 and FG Kaiserslautern merged to create FC 1900...
was dismal, as he even failed to get nominated to a bench spot.
Whilst at Apollon
Apollon Limassol
Apollon Limassol is a Greek Cypriot sports club, based in Limassol. It has football, basketball and volleyball teams. Founded in 1954, Apollon F.C...
, Zandi scored against Aris a fantastic corner-goal in their 2-1 win. He is a versatile player since he can play as an attacking midfielder and left midfielder as well as at left back.