Subasic eyes third shutout

Iran’s Sardar Azmoun has quit international football at the age of 23 after claiming the insults directed at him have impacted his ill mother.

The Rubin Kazan striker completed 90 minutes in each of Iran’s three World Cup games but has now opted to retire, citing the abuse he has received and the effect it has had on his family.

In a lengthy Instagram post, Azmoun wrote: “It 0 Sardar Azmoun: Insults have impacted his ill mother. was a great honour for me to play in my national team, and I am proud of myself till the end of my life.

“Unfortunately, with all the interest I have, and contrary to the will of my heart, I decided to say goodbye to the national team of my country.”

He added: “There are some things in life that will speak first to you. My mother had overcome a serious illness and I was happy, but unfortunately because of the unkindness of some people – and the insults that me and my team-mates in no way deserved – her illness has become severe.

“This has put me in a difficult position where I must pick one or the other, and as a result I pick my mother.” Goalkeeper Danijel Subasic is quietly making a name for himself with Croatia.

He has yet to concede a goal, keeping clean sheets when Croatia won their opening two group matches against Nigeria and Argentina. He was rested for the last group game, which Croatia won 2-1 against Iceland to finish top.

Subasic hopes to keep his third straight clean sheet when Croatia face Denmark in the last 16 on Sunday evening.

And after winning all three group games in Russia, expectations have been raised back home in Croatia.

“We played three excellent games against tough opponents,” said 33-year-old Subasic who plays his club football with French club Monaco.

“But we need to forget that. We achieved our first goal but we want more.”