Sirous Ghayeghran
Encyclopedia
Sirous Ghayeghran (September 22, 1962 – April 7, 1998) was a famous Iran
ian footballer
and former captain of Iran national football team
. He is notably referred as the legendary player of Malavan Bandar Anzali Football Club, and is one of the most popular icons in the city of Bandar Anzali.
. He did not forget his roots and soon returned to Malavan, helping the club win the Hazfi Cup
and participate in the Asian Club Championship. In 1993 he moved to the big spending team of the time Keshavarz FC, where he was also a coach. The team obtained respectable results but Ghayeghran moved to second division team Masoud Hormozgan where he coached once again. In 1997 and 1998 Ghayeghran stated numerous times that he would like to be involved with Malavan again, either as a coach or player.
against Pakistan
. In 1987 Ghayeghran became the national team captain, after most of the already established national team members who had participated in the Asian tournaments from 1984 to 1986 resigned from playing (these included top stars such as Nasser Mohammadkhani, Hamid Alidoosti, Shahrokh Bayani, etc.) In 1988 thanks to Ghayeghran's leadership an underprepared and inexperienced Iran side finished third in the Asian Cup tournament. He and Mehdi Fonoonizadeh came out as the two players with their trademark long-range shots, which usually compensated for Iran's shortage in the area of teamwork. Two years later the team became the 1990 Asian Games
champions, where Ghayeghran scored one of the most memorable goals in Iranian football history against South Korea.
He finished his international career with 40 caps and 6 goals.
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|1985||1||0
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|1986||7||1
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|1987||2||0
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|1988||10||1
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|1989||8||1
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|1990||5||1
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|1991||1||0
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|1992||8||2
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!Total||40||6
|}
during a holiday in Norouz
, they collided with a truck, leaving Ghayeghran and his son dead.
Ghayeghran will always be remembered as one of the finest examples of an athlete in Iran. He helped charities privately, and always had time for his fans. He paved the way for players who were not born or raised in Tehran
to make it to the national team
and helped Malavan
and Bandar Anzali earn a place in Iranian football.
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...
and former captain 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...
. He is notably referred as the legendary player of Malavan Bandar Anzali Football Club, and is one of the most popular icons in the city of Bandar Anzali.
Club career
He played most of his club career for Malavan FC. In 1990 he signed for Ai-Ittihad of QatarQatar
Qatar , also known as the State of Qatar or locally Dawlat Qaṭar, is a sovereign Arab state, located in the Middle East, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the northeasterly coast of the much larger Arabian Peninsula. Its sole land border is with Saudi Arabia to the south, with the rest of its...
. He did not forget his roots and soon returned to Malavan, helping the club win the Hazfi Cup
Hazfi Cup
The 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....
and participate in the Asian Club Championship. In 1993 he moved to the big spending team of the time Keshavarz FC, where he was also a coach. The team obtained respectable results but Ghayeghran moved to second division team Masoud Hormozgan where he coached once again. In 1997 and 1998 Ghayeghran stated numerous times that he would like to be involved with Malavan again, either as a coach or player.
International career
In February 1986 he made his debut for the national teamIran 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...
against Pakistan
Pakistan national football team
The Pakistan national football team is controlled by the Pakistan Football Federation and is a member of the Asian Football Confederation . The team has not yet qualified for either the FIFA World Cup or Asian Cup championships. Twice they have finished third in the South Asian Football Federation...
. In 1987 Ghayeghran became the national team captain, after most of the already established national team members who had participated in the Asian tournaments from 1984 to 1986 resigned from playing (these included top stars such as Nasser Mohammadkhani, Hamid Alidoosti, Shahrokh Bayani, etc.) In 1988 thanks to Ghayeghran's leadership an underprepared and inexperienced Iran side finished third in the Asian Cup tournament. He and Mehdi Fonoonizadeh came out as the two players with their trademark long-range shots, which usually compensated for Iran's shortage in the area of teamwork. Two years later the team became the 1990 Asian Games
1990 Asian Games
The 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, where Ghayeghran scored one of the most memorable goals in Iranian football history against South Korea.
He finished his international career with 40 caps and 6 goals.
|-
|1985||1||0
|-
|1986||7||1
|-
|1987||2||0
|-
|1988||10||1
|-
|1989||8||1
|-
|1990||5||1
|-
|1991||1||0
|-
|1992||8||2
|-
!Total||40||6
|}
Death
On March 26, 1998 as Ghayeghran and some family members were driving towards TehranTehran
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...
during a holiday in Norouz
Norouz
Nowrūz is the name of the Iranian New Year in Iranian calendars and the corresponding traditional celebrations. Nowruz is also widely referred to as the Persian New Year....
, they collided with a truck, leaving Ghayeghran and his son dead.
Legacy
Ghayeghran's love of football began early, playing with local children in the streets and alleys of his home city. He was soon playing in the youth provincial team of Gilan and also joined his hometown club, Malavan. Even at a young age Ghayeghran was known to be a down to earth person, with a great attitude, and instantly became a fan favorite.Ghayeghran will always be remembered as one of the finest examples of an athlete in Iran. He helped charities privately, and always had time for his fans. He paved the way for players who were not born or raised in 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...
to make it to the national 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...
and helped Malavan
Malavan
Malavan Bandar Anzali Football Club is an Iranian football club based in Bandar-e Anzali, Iran.The team is known to have some of the most passionate and loyal fans in Iranian football, and is one of the most successful teams not based in Tehran....
and Bandar Anzali earn a place in Iranian football.