Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 5 Num 785 Fri. August 11, 2006  
   
Sports


Karimi blow for Iran


Iran will be without injured playmaker Ali Karimi for next week's Asian Cup qualifier against Syria, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said on Thursday.

The Bayern Munich midfielder picked up a thigh strain while training with the German club last week, ruling him out of Iran's Group B clash in Tehran on Aug. 16.

Iran's coach Amir Ghalenoiee is also sweating over the fitness of striker Vahid Hashemian, who has yet to fully recover from a back injury suffered during the World Cup.

Iran are drawn with South Korea, Syria and Taiwan in a tricky qualifying group for the 2007 Asian Cup.