Kuala Lumpur: Before the excitement of the long-awaited AFC Champions League 2016 begins on Tuesday, join the-afc.com as we take a look at one of the competition's key players, Tractorsazi Tabriz goalkeeper Mohammadreza Akhbari.
KEY PLAYER: MOHAMMADREZA AKHBARI – Tractorsazi Tabriz
AFC Champions League Record
Appearances: 0
Goals: 0
PROFILE
Over the last 18 months, Mohammadreza Akhbari has established himself as one of the up-and-coming goalkeepers in Iran, a nation that has an abundance of talent between the posts.
After starting his career at Saipa, the 23-year-old joined Tractorsazi Tabriz on a two-year loan deal ahead of the current domestic season in Iran and has continued to develop his unquestioned talents.
His composed performances in goal prompted Iran U23 coach Mohammad Khakpour to make him his starting goalkeeper at the AFC U23 Championship in Doha earlier this year, and he was a key influence in the country’s run to the quarter-finals.
Akhbari’s steady progression has seen him called up to the full national squad by head coach Carlos Queiroz and it can only be a matter of time before he earns his first senior appearance for Team Melli.
IMPORTANCE TO TEAM
Despite his youth, Akhbari brings a calming presence to the defence with his impressive shot stopping ability, lightning reflexes and positioning prowess making the young goalkeeper an imposing final line of defence for Tractorsazi Tabriz.
ONES TO WATCH
Now into his fourth AFC Champions League campaign with Tractorsazi, midfielder and captain Mehdi Kiani has spent all but one season of his professional career with the Tabriz-based club. Forward Mehdi Sharifi joined Tractorsazi from club Sepahan on a two-year loan and the 23-year-old will be joined in attack by experienced Cameroonian striker Aloys Nong.
Source: the-afc.com