From Khorramabad to Kazan, Arzani is on a mission
KAZAN: Daniel Arzani was born in Iran and would not look out of place among the ‘Lions of Persia’ side that stunned Morocco in their World Cup opener.
Arzani’s heart was “pumping” with Aussie pride when he came off the bench to make his World Cup debut in a 2-1 defeat to France in Kazan, as the tournament’s youngest player.
Born in January 1999, Arzani was six years-old when his family moved to Australia.
The rest — dreaming of becoming a professional, coming through an Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) programme and signing for A-League side Melbourne City in 2016 — is history.
Although “really happy” for his native Iran, Arzani wants to make his own mark, for Australia.
“To be able to represent the country that helped us is special.”
With slick dribbling skills and a keen eye for goal, Arzani is already being talked of as the next Harry Kewell, the former Leeds, Liverpool and Galatasaray front man whose Socceroos debut, at 17 years and seven months, came against Chile in April 1996.
But Australia great Tim Cahill has been among his biggest influences in the lead-up to Russia.
Unused against France, Cahill is hoping to become only the fourth player in history after Pele and German pair Uwe Seeler and Miroslav Klose to score in four consecutive World Cups.
At 38 and double Arzani’s age, the former Everton star’s other role could be just as important for the future of Australian football.
“I mentor them and I push them,” said Cahill.
Arzani calls it “tough love”, and for Cahill there’s nothing better to prepare for the big stage of World Cup games.
“You can’t practise for that.” Cahill added: “I didn’t have that explosive talent, but what I had was hard work.
“So I fuse that hard work and discipline into his life and give him no choice,” said Cahill.
“I feel like I’m ready. It’s just up to the boss now,” said Arzani.