Alireza Beiranvand proved to be superman again for Iran on Sunday when his sensational early penalty stop helped break Oman hearts in Asian Cup 2019’s round of 16.
Beiranvand, 26, was the star of Team Melli’s World Cup 2018 campaign and his sizeable frame has again been called into full use in the UAE. This time, he sprung right and repelled captain Ahmed Kano’s fierce spot-kick within the first two minutes of a 2-0 triumph.
Here’s the lowdown on our latest Hero of the Day:
STATISTICS
Penalties saved: 1
Shots saved: 2
Catches: 1
Total passes: 24
Pass completion: 75%
Lost balls: 6
30-SECOND REPORT
Iran were hotly tipped to secure a seventh-successive run into the last eight versus knockout-debutants Oman.
They survived an early scare when skittish centre-back Majid Hosseini felled Muhsan Al Ghassani and Beiranvand bailed out his team-mate out with a dynamic low stop.
Alireza Jahanbakhsh then stole the ball from Mohammed Al Musalami and prodded home, prior to stalwart Ashkan Dejagah doing his bit from 12 yards before half time after Saad Suhail was questionably sanctioned for tackling Mehdi Taremi.
GOOD
Asian goalkeeping royalty: Asian football fans were dumbfounded in 2018 when Beiranvand was not nominated for AFC Player of the Year.
Suspect form for Persepolis in the early months was more than outweighed by a superb World Cup against Morocco, Spain and Portugal.
These displays have continued at the continental event. Beyond the penalty stop on Sunday, his elongated arms also kept out a devilishly whipped, 30-yard shot from Muhsan Al Ghassani.
Few footballers are blessed with such size and athleticism.
BAD
This must be a springboard: As we speak, Beiranvand remains in the employ of Persepolis.
But his spectacular distribution and phenomenal physique – attributes that make him reminiscent of Denmark icon Peter Schmeichel – should be on show elsewhere.
Moves to Europe do not always work out for Iranians. Just ask the forgotten Alireza Haghighi.
But Beiranvand has it all. A vow in October that he “owed it to Persepolis” to stay after several high-profile summer exits should not be unbreakable.
KEY MOMENTS
2nd min PENALTY SAVE: Kano connects sweetly with his penalty kick. Somehow Beiranvand springs to his right and pushes the fiercely struck ball to safety, even though it appears bound for the bottom corner. Outstanding.
44th min CHANCE: Oman striker Muhsan Al Ghassani breaks, momentarily, clear 30 yards from goal. He tries to catch out Beiranvand with a swerving effort, but the Iran No1 reaches up to tip this effort to safety.
VERDICT
Asia currently boasts a number of strong goalkeepers.
Australia’s Mathew Ryan is chief among them, thanks to exploits in Europe with the likes of Club Brugge and Brighton. Displays like Sunday’s should convince watching scouts that Beiranvand can follow in these footsteps.
Few shot stoppers on the planet could have repelled Kano’s attempt. This moment was key to preventing an upset and quietened the strong Omani support at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.
8/10
