Naser Hejazi's Funeral in Azadi Stadium

Mani · May 25, 2011

Nasser Hejazi passed away on May 23rd. In terms of achievements, he was one of the best Asian players of all time. As Iran and Taj (Esteghlal) goalkeeper, he competed in the 1978 World Cup, 1972 and 1976 Olympics, and won the Asian Cup title in 1968, 1972 and 1976, as well as the Asian Games Gold medal in 1974 and Asian Club Championships in 1970.

Mani · May 25, 2011

Mani · May 25, 2011

Mani · May 25, 2011

Mani · May 25, 2011

Mani · May 25, 2011

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kD1PKZnbADE"]YouTube - ‪MVI_0116.MOV‬&rlm;[/ame]

!Bob · May 25, 2011

R.i.p.

Mani · May 26, 2011

http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/news/newsid=1441495.html

This week has been one of mourning for the Iranian football community. This week has been one in which it lost a man whose hypersonic reflexes inspired Team Melli to two AFC Asian Cup crowns during their halcyon days of the 1970s, was coveted by Manchester United, went down as Asia’s second-best goalkeeper of the 20th century and, above all, remained a righteous and humble gentlemen throughout his 61 years.

Hejazi made his debut for minnows Nader, before joining Taj (the club became known as Esteghlal in 1979) in 1967. Two years later, the club installed Zdravko Rajkov, who also coached Iran, into its dugout. The Yugoslav swiftly promoted Hejazi into the national squad and handed him an international debut as a 19-year-old that September, when Team Melli beat Pakistan 4-2. Back at Taj, Rajkov and Hejazi combined to help the side become Asian club champions in 1970, with the latter keeping three clean sheets in four games en route to gold.

But if that was Hejazi’s zenith at club level, it was not his career meridian. Indeed, he helped Iran win the AFC Asian Cup in 1972 and ’76, producing a memorable performance in a 2-1 defeat of Korea Republic in the former’s final and a shut-out of Kuwait in the latter’s. Hejazi also represented his country at the Men’s Olympic Football Tournaments of 1972 and 1976 and the 1978 FIFA World Cup Argentina™, where his highlights included a superb one-handed stop to deny Scotland’s Joe Jordan in a 1-1 draw and a fine save from the vaunted left foot of Peruvian Teofilo Cubillas, despite the Western Asians’ 4-1 loss. Those moments prompted Manchester United to hand him a trial and though the English giants wanted to sign Hejazi, political problems in his homeland prevented him from making the move to Old Trafford.

Hejazi played his 62nd and last game for Iran in a semi-final loss to Kuwait at the AFC Asian Cup in 1980. Six years later and 19 after he first signed for Esteghlal – he had a three-year spell at Shahbaz in between – the shot-stopper left his homeland for one last season in Bangladesh, where he played 31 times for Mohammedan, going on to coach them in his second year in Dhaka. Upon his return to Iran, he assumed the reins at nine clubs - including Esteghlal, whose 1997/98 Iranian top-flight title he masterminded - between 1988 and 2007.

And though that was his last occupation in football, the sport stayed with him until the very end. Indeed, when he was taken into coma on Friday, from which he did not awake, he was watching his beloved Esteghlal play PAS Hamedan on television. Fittingly, the Tehran giants won – and kept a clean sheet.

In a letter to Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) President Ali Kafashian, FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter wrote: “It is with a sad heart that I write to you, having learned of the tragic passing of Nasser Hejazi – a legendary former football player. On behalf of FIFA and the worldwide family of football, I wish to extend our condolences to you, the Iranian football community and, most importantly, Nasser Hejazi’s friends and loved ones. Please let them know that today the football community stands by their side.”

Team Melli forever · May 26, 2011

RIP true legend

teammellieIRANfan · May 26, 2011

A hero and legend that will never be forgotten.
RIP

Iranianfootie · May 30, 2011

Mani said: ↑

Nasser Hejazi passed away on May 23rd. In terms of achievements, he was one of the best Asian players of all time. As Iran and Taj (Esteghlal) goalkeeper, he competed in the 1978 World Cup, 1972 and 1976 Olympics, and won the Asian Cup title in 1968, 1972 and 1976, as well as the Asian Games Gold medal in 1974 and Asian Club Championships in 1970.

A true legend. A hero both on and off the field.

Aria-IRAN · Jun 3, 2011

R.i.p roehash shad

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