Arzani dreaming of berth after Socceroos switch
Iran-born teenager remains eligible for the Middle East side
Melbourne City teenager Daniel Arzani has shown a knack for dancing past defenders in the Australian top flight but his most telling off-field evasion might be sidestepping the country of his birth for the lure of a World Cup ticket with the Socceroos.
The Iran-born 19-year-old spent his early childhood playing in the streets of Khorramabad and remains eligible for the Middle Eastern heavyweights, who have also qualified for the Russia finals. But Arzani has represented Australia at junior levels since emigrating Down Under with his family and the winger all but pledged allegiance to his adopted nation in February.
His loyalty may be set for the ultimate reward, a berth in Australia’s World Cup squad, if he impresses during a three-week training camp in Turkey.
“It’d be a dream come true,” said uncapped Arzani, one of the biggest surprises in Dutchman Bert van Marwijk’s preliminary squad.
“Since I was young, I’ve always dreamed of playing for Australia, playing for the Socceroos. To think that could be happening in the next couple of weeks is amazing.”
The youngest Socceroo at the Antalya camp, Arzani survived Van Marwijk’s first cut down to 26 and is very much in the mix for the final 23.
Meanwhile, Jalal Hosseini and Vouria Ghaffouri have both been left off Iran’s provisional 24-man squad for the World Cup.
Iran coach Carlos Queiroz did not say why Hosseini, a Persepolis defender, and Ghaffouri were not included. There was space for midfielders Masoud Shojaei and Ehsan Hajsafi, however. Alireza Jahanbakhsh, a 24-year-old forward who plays in the Netherlands with AZ Alkmaar, is also in the squad.
Nottingham Forest midfielder Ashkan Dejagah was also chosen. Goalkeeper Amir Abedzadeh of Portuguese club Maritimo made the squad. His father, Ahmadreza Abedzadeh, was Iran captain and goalkeeper at the 1998 World Cup.