Four Iranians Shortlisted for AFC International Player of Week

The-afc.com has published a 10-man list in which the fans can vote their favorite players  until December 19.

The four Iranian players will vie with Saki Kumagai (Olympique Lyonnais, Japan), Lee Jae-sung (Holstien Kiel, Korea Republic), Musa Al Taamari (OH Leuven, Jordan), Son Heung-min (Tottenham Hotspur, Korea Republic), Emily Van Egmond (West Ham United, Australia) and Jeong Woo-yeong (SC Freiburg, Korea Republic).

Alireza Beiranvand (Royal Antwerp, Iran)
90 minutes, 7 saves, (0-2 v Tottenham Hotspur)
90 minutes, 4 saves, 90% pass accuracy (0-2 v Club Brugge)

Team Melli’s number one goalkeeper had to remain patient for months ahead of his debut at Belgian club Royal Antwerp, but it was worth the wait as the former shot-stopper turned in an excellent performance away to Premier League leaders Tottenham Hotspur.

Sardar Azmoun (Zenit, Iran)
90 minutes, 79% pass accuracy (1-2 v Borussia Dortmund)
23 minutes, 1 goal, 3 shots on target (3-1 v Dynamo Moscow)

Zenit’s Iranian striker tried everything in a failed attempt to score against Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions, but he showed his quality off the bench against Dynamo Moscow, scoring to take his tally to 10 goals in 973 league minutes this season.

Karim Ansarifard (AEK Athens, Iran)
65 minutes (0-2 v Leicester City)
70 minutes, 2 goals, 78% pass accuracy (4-3 v Apollon Smirnis)

It was a similar story for Karim Ansairfard, who endured a tough European night only to deliver a fantastic Greek Super League brace against Apollon Smirnis. The 30-year-old now has seven goals in all competitions this season.

Mehdi Taremi (FC Porto, Iran)
75 minutes, 1 goal, 8 duels won (2-1 v Tondela)

Another one of IR Iran’s ever-expanding contingent of star strikers, Mehdi Taremi continued his personal mission to damage Tondela’s ambitions, scoring his second goal in as many outings against them in a 2-1 Portuguese Cup win on Sunday.