I N T E R N A T I O N A L D A I L Y MARCH 18, 2020 SPORTS 11

Amir Abedzadeh has big Jahanbakhsh offers aid to his hometown to fight dreams in football COVID-19 has had quite a football MNA — Brighton’s and Team Melli winger journey. Still only 26 years old, the Marí- has offered a 1 billion Rials (near $7,000) aid to contain the timo goalkeeper’s insistence on “chasing coronavirus outbreak in his hometown, Qazvin. my dream” saw him try his luck in England He also posted a video, asking people to stay at home and and the United States of America, as well as follow the required guidelines to get through this pandemic. his home country, before finding consistent Major football leagues and sports events around the world top-level football in Madeira. have been put on a halt as a precautionary measure against the Amir talks about life on the island outbreak. known as The Pearl of the Atlantic, work- Based on the latest reports, as many as 80,881 coronavirus ing with José Gomes, going to the World cases, with 3,226 deaths have been reported from China and Cup under the orders of , over 100,000 infections and 3,948 deaths from other countries. fellow Iranians also making a name for Italy reported no new deaths in the past day while the number themselves in Portuguese football and of confirmed cases stands at 27,980. his ambitions in the game. Iran stands next with 16,169 infections and 988 deaths as Before coming to Portugal you played of Monday. in Iran, England and the United States. says its fight against the outbreak is being severely What made you decide to come to Portugal? hampered by US sanctions, calling on the United Nations to My dream and my plan were to play help lift the sanctions and end the US “maximum pressure” in Europe, no matter what it took and I campaign on Iran. was prepared for the journey to be un- A pneumonia outbreak caused by the COVID-19 virus (pre- predictable. I had an amazing experience viously known as 2019-nCoV) was reported in China’s city of in England, the US, and Iran. However, Wuhan, a large trade and industrial center with a population during my time in Iran, I knew I had to of 12 million, in late December 2019. go to Europe. I didn’t know how I was going to get there and I didn’t know that I would start in Portugal. However, looking back at it, I remem- Staying at home to be ber one training session while playing symbolic model to combat at Persepolis, I was talking to a fellow goalkeeper, Nilson Junior (former Vitória disease: Izadyar Guimarães, Moreirense and União de Ma- deira goalkeeper). I told him I would love IRNA — Iranian well-known para-swimmer Shahin Izadyar to play in Portugal and I would ask him termed staying at home as a citizenship behavior that could be questions about the talent level, quality, a helpful pattern in fight against the coronavirus (COVID-19). and what life was like there. Ironically We are all responsible for preventing the spread of the dis- enough, a few years later, I came to Por- ease; he said adding overcoming the situation requires taking tugal through a friend who was playing in collective action. the second league and he connected me In three seasons you have been com- season, but personally you have been in do you think this has happened? Do you Apart from various accomplishments, Izadyar has also won six with his agent. That is how I started my peting with Brazilian Charles Silva, another excellent form this year and have been the speak with Mehdi and Mehrdad? gold medals at the 2018 Asian Para Games in Jakarta, Indonesia. journey in Portugal and I always knew I excellent goalkeeper, for the starting spot undisputed number one since September. I’m proud that after three seasons of The head of the Public Relations and Information Center of would come to a top-level league, it was at Marítimo. What is your relationship like Do you feel you have improved your game being the only Iranian player in a top league, the Ministry of Health and Medical Education said on Monday an opportunity for me to start somewhere with Charles? during your time in Portugal? that we have more Iranians present. Both that 14,991 Iranians have been infected with the coronavirus with great competition and talent. First and foremost, I respect all my Definitely, I believe there is no staying Mehdi and Mehrdad have been my team- (COVID-19) in Iran and 853 of them have succumbed to death. Did you know much about Portugal, teammates and I believe everyone wants in one place; you’re either improving or re- mates, both of them are great individuals Madeira or Portuguese football before ar- one thing: Marítimo’s success. I love the gressing. I’ve learned a lot from my mistakes who are doing their best for their teams. riving at Marítimo? competition and I love to compete. It is and turned my weaknesses to strengths by Ultimately, we are all trying our best to Marítimo was actually the first team I a primary factor in a player’s desire to adding more aspects to my game, physically be good representatives of our country in Iran karate secure four saw playing in-person when they played in improve and pushes them to do better. and mentally. I’m looking forward to doing this league. Lisbon. I knew the team and I had knowledge This results in the team doing better, so way more than I’ve done to this point and Rio Ave coach Carlos Carvalhal said Olympic quotas after that I was going to a really great team with I’m grateful for all the opportunities to help my team as best as I can. earlier in the season: “with all due respect an amazing history behind it. But, I didn’t compete during my career. You are one of just a few players who to Rio Ave and Portuguese football, Taremi top-class event in Madrid know anything about Madeira. Truthfully, I’m always trying to learn from all keep- have gone to a World Cup. Describe the is too good for this league and will soon canceled I didn’t know this island existed and was ers. I watch game film, highlights, and use experience of Russia 2018. be on a bigger stage.” Do you agree with amazed by how beautiful and remarkable it Wyscout to see what I can learn from other It was an amazing experience. The at- Carvalhal? How far can Taremi go? is. Once I landed, I told myself that moving keepers. I believe this way of thinking can mosphere, the vibe, the attention — it was I believe to reach the top or the next level, MNA — Iranian karatekas of Kumite discipline secured four forward there wasn’t any reason for excuses help anyone. My goal is to be better than remarkable. More importantly, it was a great a player must maintain a strong self-belief. quotas in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as two major ranking events and I have an opportunity to prove that I’m who I was yesterday and eventually become honor to represent my country and very I want the best for all my teammates from have been canceled due to coronavirus. able to play at the highest level in one of the best version of myself. proud to be the first player from Marítimo the Iranian National Team and Marítimo. I After Karate 1-Premier League in Morocco, the top-flight event the top leagues in Europe. Since then, all Results picked up when José Gomes to be at the World Cup. enjoy seeing my peers achieve great things, in Madrid has also been canceled as Spain is implementing strict I’m focused on is putting in the work every was appointed new Marítimo manager in At this moment, my focus is on the next as it continues to motivate me to continue measures to contain the outbreak. “The World Karate Federa- day and trying to improve myself while I November, but recent results have seen World Cup and I’m doing my absolute best accomplishing more on my path. tion regrets to inform that the event of Karate’s first-class series chase my dreams. Marítimo fall down the table. How do you to be able to help my team in 2022 when Also, it gives me another example of what of international tournaments scheduled to be held in Madrid How have you adapted to life in gen- explain the inconsistency? the competition is in Qatar. is possible. I believe no matter what anyone (Spain) from April 17 to 19 had to be canceled due to the Covid-19 eral in Portugal: the language, the food, We are all very grateful to be working How do you assess the work of Carlos says or thinks of any player, it all comes outbreak,” reads a statement by the WKF. the people, and life in Madeira? with a top-quality coach. I really believe Queiroz as Iran coach? What was it like down to what is within that person. I pray Well, since it isn’t my first time living that Marítimo is playing the best football working with him? with all my heart for all my teammates to alone and away from my family, I hav- since I joined the club. We are playing with He is a true gentleman with a high volume make it to the top. en’t felt any struggles, to be honest. I love more joy and we can sense the same feeling of knowledge and a calmness about him. What are your ambitions in Portugal the adventure. The people are incredibly from our fans in the stadium. Personally, He maintained different energy and will and in the game? friendly and helpful, the food is delicious, I’ve learned a lot from him since the first be missed by all Iranians after eight years I have big goals and dreams that I visu- making it an easy transition. But, the lan- day he arrived. I know we have experienced of leading the National Team. He left a big alize every day. I believe I can reach them. guage has always been the hardest part. ups and downs, but sometimes football can impact on Iranian football. Carlos Queiroz My focus is always on how I can improve I think Portuguese is one of the hardest be like that. This has happened to the top created a new image and raised the expec- myself daily. Sooner or later, I know that my languages to learn, very easy to understand, teams of the league, as well. We lost points tations, as you saw his successor wasn’t able mindset will put me in a position to achieve but very difficult to speak with the proper with individual mistakes and sometimes to continue his consistency. Personally, I’m my goals. In the past, I would discuss my grammar and accent. My teammates and unjust endings to games with decisions very grateful to have had a chance to be goals in detail. Specifically, I would mention colleagues tell me that my Portuguese is that were beyond our control. However, his student. Without question, I learned what they are and how I’m going to get really good and I’ve had a few interviews we need to all take responsibility and learn a lot from him. there. However, I believe now is more about Karate 1-Premier League was the major event that athletes in Portuguese, but I expect more from from those mistakes in order to improve. In the past there were no Iranian executing and doing. As my focus is locked could gain points and increase their ranking for the Olympics myself since I’ve been living here for three We are all committed to go back to our footballers in Portugal, but now, as well on improving, I know that maintaining the qualification. years. Overall, this is an amazing country good form and collect points to make our as yourself, we have at Rio right beliefs and patience will put me in a According to the Iranian Karate Federation, WKF had an- and Madeira is an amazing place to live. supporters happy by overcoming this phase Ave and Mehrdad Mohammadi at Despor- position to enjoy the journey, as I work nounced that the last event held in Salzburg would be considered Also, it is a place I consider living after of inconsistency. tivo das Aves (all three of whom have had hard towards those goals. as the final round of ranking series for the Olympics. With this my career is finished. Marítimo have had an up and down excellent seasons at individual level). Why (Source: PortuGOAL) implemented, Iran has secured four quotas by Bahman Asgari (Male Kumite -75kg), Hamideh Abbasali (Female Kumite +61kg), Sajjad Ganjzadeh (Male Kumite +75kg), Sara Bahmanyar in UWW praises Iranian Olympics Nigerian forward Osaguona to leave (Female Kumite -55kg) who are in the top four of their respective categories according to points collected. champions Persepolis Meanwhile, the Iranian team that had stayed in Germany after the cancelation of travel to Morocco, waiting for the fate of the event in Madrid, will depart for Tehran on Saturday. Also, Tokyo 2020 Qualification Tournament is scheduled to be held in May in France and if it is not canceled, Iranian kata practitioners can compete for two other quotas of Female -61kg and Male -67kg categories. Karate is due to make its Olympic debut in Tokyo 2020. There will be eight karate gold medals up for grabs at Tokyo - men’s kata, women’s kata and three different weight classes for both men’s and women’s Kumite events.

Iran’s Beiranvand nominated for best Asian penalty-saver

SPORTS TEHRAN — Unit- They have donated face masks, gowns SPORTS TEHRAN — Nigerian experienced his first spell in Iran league. TASNIM — Iran and Persepolis goalkeeper desked World Wrestling and other personal protective equipment to deskstriker Christian Osa- He began his professional career at Be- has been nominated for the best penalty-saver of the Asia. (UWW) has lauded former Iranian Olympics government hospitals.The head of the Public guona will reportedly leave Persepolis at nin Premier League’s club Les Buffles Beiranvand saved a penalty from Ronaldo in the match against champions Komeil Ghasemi and Rasoul Relations and Information Center of the Iran’s the end of the current season. FC du Borgou and then served a lot of Portugal in the 2018 World Cup which took his name into the Khadem as they contribute to fight the fur- Ministry of Health and Medical Education He joined the Iranian giants on a clubs such as Raja Csablanca (Moroc- international spotlight. ther spread of the fatal novel coronavirus. said that 16,169 Iranians have been infected half-season deal in January, holding an co), Westerlo (Belgium) and Umm Salal In the 2020 AFC Champions League, he has yet to save a The 2012 Olympic champion and mem- with the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Iran option to extend his deal for a further year. (Qatar). After leaving Zob Ahan he went penalty but he has saved penalties in the 2019 AFC Champions ber of UWW athlete commission Ghasemi, and 988 of them have succumbed to death. The 29-year-old forward has yet to score to South Korea to play for Jeju United League and Iran Professional League. is joined by the 1996 Olympic champion The COVID-19 pandemic is getting more a goal and the coaching staff are reportedly in the 2019-2020 season. The best penalty-saver will be decided through a #ACL2020 poll. Khadem as they visit cities in Gilan Province overwhelming by the day, with increasing dissatisfied with his performance. Persepolis Irish forward Anthony Stokes, Beiranvand will compete with Ante Covic (Wellington Phoenix), to help provide doctors and nurses with lockdowns, a death toll of more than 7,000 Osaguna scored four goals in 19 who joined the Reds in January, has also Kwoun Sun-tae (Kashima Antlers) and Farizal Marlias (Johor new equipment for fighting COVID-19. people across the world. games for Zob Ahan in 2019 when he left the team for months. Darul Ta’zim) to become the best Asian penalty saver.