Qolizadeh a World Cup doubt after injury blow in Polish league
Iranian midfielder Ali Qolizadeh faces a race against time to be fit for the upcoming FIFA World Cup – co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 – after suffering a knee injury while in action with Lech Poznań in the Polish Ekstraklasa on Saturday.
The 30-year-old winger, who was also ruled out of nine games in the early stages of the Polish top-flight season due to a torn thigh muscle, was forced off only 19 minutes into the away game against Motor Lublin.
“Ali will undergo an MRI scan on Sunday, with the result expected by Monday afternoon to determine the timeframe of his return,” Lech Poznań’s press officer Adrian Gałuszka said after the game.
The Iranian was trying to jump over an opponent’s tackle but twisted his previously operated right knee upon landing and clearly appeared to be in pain as he was stretchered off the pitch.
Lech Poznań still managed to win the game 1-0 – courtesy of Swedish midfielder Leo Bengtsson’s 40th-minute strike – and retain top spot in the table with 55 points, six clear of nearest rival Górnik Zabrze, which has a game in hand, with three rounds of fixtures remaining, closing in on a record-extending 10th league title – its second in succession.
Qolizadeh has been in flying form in recent months, contributing six goals and four assists in 15 appearances since December, while playing a role in 14 of the club’s last 18 league goals.
His potential lengthy spell on the sidelines would be a massive blow for national team head coach Amir Ghalenoei, who will likely have to build the team around overseas players, as domestic league players will be without competitive action until the World Cup following the top flight’s postponement since the United States and Israel launched a war campaign against Iran on February 28.
Iran is set to begin its Group G campaign at the global showpiece against New Zealand in Los Angeles on June 15, where it is also due to play Belgium six days later, before taking on Egypt in Seattle on June 26.