Karim Ansarifard
Encyclopedia
Karim Ansarifard is an Iran
ian footballer
who plays for Saipa in Iran Pro League as a Striker
and is part of the Iran national football team
. His playing style and ability have drawn comparisons to Ali Daei
who scouted him and he was declared as Daei's "successor".
World Soccer selected Ansarifard as one of best young talents in the world alongside Javier Hernandez and Jack Wilshere
. Goal.com also chose him as one of Hot 100 young football players in the world.
, Karim's home city, he was taken on a training trial by them and was accepted into the clubs youth academy and reserves.
In the 2007 season Saipa the Iranian reigning champions encountered problems in scoring after the departure of Mohsen Khalili
and retirement of then-coach Ali Daei
. After 12 weeks Ali Daei
moved Ansarifard to the first team from the reserves and the young starlet answered the coach’s faith with good games including the only goal against a strong Sepahan
team.
Ansarifard scored 13 goals during the 2009/2010 season. After strong performances, Karim became fast one of the best players of Saipa and targeted by European clubs such as Borussia Dortmund
. later, FC Steaua Bucureşti made a €200,000 bid for a half season loan.
In May 2011, it was suggested that Everton F.C.
are interested in signing Ansarifard. later Rubin Kazan
wants to sign Ansarifard.
Despite major interest from European clubs, Conscription problems made it hard for Ansarifard to sign a contract with a European club. So Ansarifard renewed his contract with Saipa for another 2 years on 14 July 2011 being forced to turn down European clubs.
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|2007-08
||rowspan="5"|Saipa||rowspan="5"|Pro League
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|2008-09
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|2009-10
|31||13||1||0||-||-||32||13
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|2010-11
|29||20||1||0||-||-||30||20
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|2011-12
|12||5||1||0||-||-||13||5
|-
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in 2005. In 2006 AFC U-17 Championship, he worn number 14 and was a benchwarmer. Ansarifard played as a substitute in two matches against Tajikistan and Yemen.
in November 2009 under Afshin Ghotbi
and scored his first international goal and the only goal of the game. He was given the legendary number 10 previously worn by Ali Daei
and scored on 15 January 2011 his 3rd international goal against North Korea, so Ansarifard became Iran
's youngest ever goalscorer in the AFC Asian Cup
. In 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
, Ansarifard scored a double against Maldives at Azadi Stadium
. On 6 September Ansarifard missed 2 great goal chances against Qatar
and commentator of the match Mazdak Mirzaei called him fifth column
later Saipa published a statement and Criticized to Mazdak Mirzaei.
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 footballer
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
who plays for Saipa in Iran Pro League as a Striker
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
and is part of the 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...
. His playing style and ability have drawn comparisons to Ali Daei
Ali Daei
Ali Daei is an Iranian retired football player and former national team coach who currently manages a local Iranian team, Rah Ahan. He is a former captain of the Iran national football team, and is the world's all-time leading goalscorer in international matches...
who scouted him and he was declared as Daei's "successor".
World Soccer selected Ansarifard as one of best young talents in the world alongside Javier Hernandez and Jack Wilshere
Jack Wilshere
Jack Andrew Garry Wilshere is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Arsenal and the England national team....
. Goal.com also chose him as one of Hot 100 young football players in the world.
Saipa
During one of Saipa's training camps in ArdabilArdabil
Ardabil is a historical city in north-western Iran. The name Ardabil probably comes from the Zoroastrian name of "Artavil" which means a holy place. Ardabil is the center of Ardabil Province. At the 2006 census, its population was 412,669, in 102,818 families...
, Karim's home city, he was taken on a training trial by them and was accepted into the clubs youth academy and reserves.
In the 2007 season Saipa the Iranian reigning champions encountered problems in scoring after the departure of Mohsen Khalili
Mohsen Khalili
Mohsen Khalili is an Iranian football forward. He is currently playing for the Iranian Professional League, Steel Azin.-Saipa:He Played for Saipa for several seasons, helping the team win the Iran Professional League in the 2006/07 season, scoring 8 goals...
and retirement of then-coach Ali Daei
Ali Daei
Ali Daei is an Iranian retired football player and former national team coach who currently manages a local Iranian team, Rah Ahan. He is a former captain of the Iran national football team, and is the world's all-time leading goalscorer in international matches...
. After 12 weeks Ali Daei
Ali Daei
Ali Daei is an Iranian retired football player and former national team coach who currently manages a local Iranian team, Rah Ahan. He is a former captain of the Iran national football team, and is the world's all-time leading goalscorer in international matches...
moved Ansarifard to the first team from the reserves and the young starlet answered the coach’s faith with good games including the only goal against a strong Sepahan
Sepahan
Sepahan Esfahan is an Iranian football club based in Isfahan, Iran. They compete in Iran's top flight known as Persian Gulf League and hold most of the records in the PGL under their belt. Sepahan are the latest champions of the PGL in 2010–11 season for the record third time in the ten-year PGL...
team.
Ansarifard scored 13 goals during the 2009/2010 season. After strong performances, Karim became fast one of the best players of Saipa and targeted by European clubs such as Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund
Ballspielverein Borussia Dortmund, commonly BVB, are a German sports club based in Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia. Dortmund are one of the most successful clubs in German football history. Borussia Dortmund play in the Bundesliga, the top league of German football...
. later, FC Steaua Bucureşti made a €200,000 bid for a half season loan.
In May 2011, it was suggested that Everton F.C.
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
are interested in signing Ansarifard. later Rubin Kazan
FC Rubin Kazan
FC Rubin Kazan is a Russian association football club based in the city of Kazan . Rubin won the Russian Premier League championship in 2008 and 2009.-History:...
wants to sign Ansarifard.
Despite major interest from European clubs, Conscription problems made it hard for Ansarifard to sign a contract with a European club. So Ansarifard renewed his contract with Saipa for another 2 years on 14 July 2011 being forced to turn down European clubs.
Club Career Statistics
Last update: 24 November 2011|-
|2007-08
Persian Gulf Cup 2007-08
The following is the standings of the Persian Gulf Cup's 2007/08 football season. This season will be the 7th season since the establishment of the Iran Pro League...
||rowspan="5"|Saipa||rowspan="5"|Pro League
|18||1||0||0||5||1||23||2
|-
|2008-09
Persian Gulf Cup 2008-09
The following is the standings of the Persian Gulf Cup's 2008/09 football season. This season will be the 8th season since the establishment of the Iran Pro League . Persepolis are the defending champions.-Teams:...
|14||1||1||0||-||-||15||1
|-
|2009-10
|31||13||1||0||-||-||32||13
|-
|2010-11
|29||20||1||0||-||-||30||20
|-
|2011-12
|12||5||1||0||-||-||13||5
|-
104||39||4||0||5||1||113||40
International career
He was Invited to Iran national under-17 football teamIran national under-17 football team
The Iran national under-17 football team, more commonly known as Nojavanan, is controlled by I.R.I.F.F. and represents Iran in international under-17 football competitions...
in 2005. In 2006 AFC U-17 Championship, he worn number 14 and was a benchwarmer. Ansarifard played as a substitute in two matches against Tajikistan and Yemen.
Senior national football team career
Karim Ansarifard made his debut against IcelandIceland national football team
The Iceland national football team is the national football team of Iceland and is controlled by the Football Association of Iceland. It has never advanced to the finals of any major international competition....
in November 2009 under Afshin Ghotbi
Afshin Ghotbi
Afshin Ghotbi is an Iranian-American football coach and current head coach of the Japanese side Shimizu S-Pulse in J-League.-Early life:Though his family were from Shiraz, Mr. Afshin Ghotbi was born in the country's capital Tehran...
and scored his first international goal and the only goal of the game. He was given the legendary number 10 previously worn by Ali Daei
Ali Daei
Ali Daei is an Iranian retired football player and former national team coach who currently manages a local Iranian team, Rah Ahan. He is a former captain of the Iran national football team, and is the world's all-time leading goalscorer in international matches...
and scored on 15 January 2011 his 3rd international goal against North Korea, so Ansarifard became 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 youngest ever goalscorer in the AFC Asian Cup
AFC Asian Cup
The 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...
. In 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification
2014 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)
The Asian Football Confederation section of the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification sees teams competing for berths in the final tournament in Brazil...
, Ansarifard scored a double against Maldives at Azadi Stadium
Azadi Stadium
The 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...
. On 6 September Ansarifard missed 2 great goal chances 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...
and commentator of the match Mazdak Mirzaei called him fifth column
Fifth column
A fifth column is a group of people who clandestinely undermine a larger group such as a nation from within.-Origin:The term originated with a 1936 radio address by Emilio Mola, a Nationalist General during the 1936–39 Spanish Civil War...
later Saipa published a statement and Criticized to Mazdak Mirzaei.
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 November 2009 | Azadi Stadium Azadi Stadium The 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... , Tehran Tehran Tehran , 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 | 1-0 | Friendly | |
| 2 | 30 December 2009 | Qatar SC Stadium Qatar SC Stadium Qatar SC Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Doha, Qatar. It is currently used mostly for football matches and home of the football team Qatar Sports Club. The stadium holds 20,000 people.... , Doha Doha Doha is the capital city of the state of Qatar. Located on the Persian Gulf, it had a population of 998,651 in 2008, and is also one of the municipalities of Qatar... |
1-0 | 1-2 | Friendly | |
| 3 | 15 January 2011 | Qatar SC Stadium Qatar SC Stadium Qatar SC Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Doha, Qatar. It is currently used mostly for football matches and home of the football team Qatar Sports Club. The stadium holds 20,000 people.... , Doha Doha Doha is the capital city of the state of Qatar. Located on the Persian Gulf, it had a population of 998,651 in 2008, and is also one of the municipalities of Qatar... |
1-0 | 1-0 | Asian Cup 2011 | |
| 4 | 23 July 2011 | Azadi Stadium Azadi Stadium The 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... , Tehran Tehran Tehran , 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 | 4-0 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC) The Asian Football Confederation section of the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification sees teams competing for berths in the final tournament in Brazil... |
|
| 5 | 23 July 2011 | Azadi Stadium Azadi Stadium The 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... , Tehran Tehran Tehran , 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... |
2-0 | 4-0 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC) The Asian Football Confederation section of the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification sees teams competing for berths in the final tournament in Brazil... |
|
| 6 | 5 October 2011 | Azadi Stadium Azadi Stadium The 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... , Tehran Tehran Tehran , 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... |
3-0 | 7-0 | Friendly | |
| 7 | 11 October 2011 | Azadi Stadium Azadi Stadium The 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... , Tehran Tehran Tehran , 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... |
5-0 | 6-0 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC) The Asian Football Confederation section of the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification sees teams competing for berths in the final tournament in Brazil... |
|