Moharrami ruled out for months with torn ligament
Iranian fullback Sadeq Moharrami is set to be sidelined for at least six months, likely to miss the rest of the season, after suffering a torn knee ligament while on international duty at the AFC Asian Cup.
The Dynamo Zagreb player sustained the injury in the closing stages of the first half against the United Arab Emirates in Al Rayyan, Qatar, last Tuesday, when he collided with Emirati defender Hareb Abdullah and was replaced by Ramian Rezaeian.
Iran went on to win the game 2-1, courtesy of a Mahdi Taremi’s double against Yahya Al Ghassani’s late consolation for the UAE, and progress to the round of 16 as the Group C winner with maximum points.
Moharrami’s injury comes as a massive blow for Iran head coach Amir Qalenoei, whose team is chasing a first Asian Cup trophy in 48 years and will face Syria in the first knockout round on Wednesday.
Syria manager Hector Cuper will have his own injury woes to deal with as skipper and prolific striker Omar Khribin is a doubt for the last-16 clash after an injury during a training session.