Alireza Haghighi

Alireza Haghighi

Haghighi in 2014
Personal information
Date of birth2 May 1988
Place of birthTehran, Iran
Height1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
Playing positionGoalkeeper
Club information
Current team
Penafiel (on loan from Rubin Kazan)
Number88
Youth career
2000–2001Saipa
2002–2006Persepolis
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2006–2012Persepolis73(0)
2012–Rubin Kazan0(0)
2013→ Persepolis (loan)0(0)
2014→ Sporting Covilhã (loan)14(0)
2014–→ Penafiel (loan)20(0)
National team‡
2002–2003Iran U-157(0)
2004–2005Iran U-175(0)
2005–2006Iran U-206(0)
2006–2010Iran U-234(0)
2010–Iran16(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 26 April 2015.

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 31 March 2015

Alireza Haghighi (Persian: علیرضا حقیقی‎, born 2 May 1988) is an Iranian goalkeeper who plays for Portuguese side Penafiel on loan from Russian side Rubin Kazan, and the Iranian national team.[1] Haghighi represented Iran at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2015 AFC Asian Cup.

Club career

Persepolis

Having joined the senior squad of Persepolis at the age of 16. He made his debut in match against Saipa on 17 October 2006 and saved a penalty against the legendary Ali Daei.[2][3] Haghighi was playing for Persepolis Youth teams since 2002, after being scouted by coaches of Persepolis Football School in past years. He started the 2007–08 season with two other goalkeepers already ahead of him in the pecking order at Persepolis (Hassan Roudbarian, Team Melli's number one and Mehdi Vaezi, who has also been invited to the national team, but never capped). During this season, Haghighi did not play at all but extended his contract at the end of the season.

During the 2008–09 season, Haghighi was lucky to play in a lot of games because of injuries to two main goalkeepers Misagh Memarzadeh and Mehdi Vaezi which made Haghighi become the first choice keeper for many games and statistically he was the number one keeper during this season that he was trained under legendary Iranian keeper Ahmad Reza Abedzadeh.

In the 2010–11 season, he captained Persepolis for the first time in the 2–1 victory against Saipa, making him the youngest captain of Persepolis in its history.

Rubin Kazan

In December 2011, Russian Premier League side Rubin Kazan sent a transfer request to Persepolis. He officially left Persepolis on 9 January 2012.[4] On 14 January 2012, Haghighi signed a 4-year deal with Rubin Kazan.[5][6] He signed a contract with the Russian club on 11 January and made his debut three days later in a pre-season friendly match. However, he never played for Rubin in an official match at his next two seasons.

Return to Persepolis (loan)

On 18 July 2013, Haghighi returned to Persepolis and signed a six months loan contract with the club.[7][8] On 23 October 2013, Haghighi played in a 5–1 win over Padideh Shandiz in a Hazfi Cup match, marked his first match for Persepolis after 18 months. He then played another Hazfi Cup match, this time against Alvand Hamedan which he keeping a clean sheet.

His loan contract ended on December 3, 2013.[9]

Sporting Covilhã (loan)

Haghighi was called back to the Rubin Kazan side during the 2014 winter transfer period. In January 2014, Haghighi signed a loan contract with Portuguese Segunda Liga side Sporting Covilhã, on loan from Rubin Kazan.[10] With Haghighi in net, Sporting Covilha avoided relegation. After 14 appearances with the club, Haghighi's loan contract ended and he returned to Rubin.

Penafiel (loan)

On 24 August 2014, Haghighi signed a one year loan contract with Primeira Liga side Penafiel.[11] They won their first game on 20 September against Vitória with Haghighi keeping a clean sheet in their 2–0 win.[12] On 24 February 2015 Haghighi was named the Primeira Liga Player of the Week for Matchday 22 after his clean sheet in a 1–0 against Vitoria Setubal.[13]

Club Career statistics

As of 02 March 2015
Iran Season League Hazfi Cup Asia Total
Club Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Persepolis Pro League 2006–07 4000––40
2007–08 0000––00
2008–09 2001030270
2009–10 15040––190
2010–11 2006030290
2011–12 1403000190
Russia Season League Russian Cup Europe Total
Club Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Rubin Kazan Premier League 2011–12 00000000
2012–13 00000000
Iran Season League Hazfi Cup Asia Total
Club Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Persepolis Pro League 2013–14 0020––20
Portugal Season League Taça de Portugal Europe Total
Club Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Covilhã Segunda Liga 2013–14 14000––140
Penafiel Primeira Liga 2014–15 15030––180
Total Iran 73016060950
Russia 00000000
Portugal 2903000320
Career total 1040190601300

International career

Haghighi before match against Montenegro, 26 May 2014

Youth teams

Haghighi led Iran to the finals of West Asian U-15 tournament, held in Qatar in 2002, alongside teammate Mohammad Parvin.[2] He was part of Iran U17 at 2004 AFC U-17 Championship,[14] also playing all 3 games for Iran U20 at 2006 AFC Youth Championship.[15][16][17] He made 3 appearances in 2005 Valentin A.Granatkin Memorial – International Youth Tournament for Iran U20.[18]

Olympic team

Haghighi was invited to Iran U23 in Asian Games 2006,[2] although he did not play any match.[19] He did not play in 2008 AFC Men's Pre-Olympic Tournament and Sosha Makani was the first choice. Under Gholam Peyrovani's management of Iran U23, He was invited again;[20][21] but missed many trainings and friendly matches of Iran U23, including Tehran 6-Team Tournament,[22][23] South Africa Camp,[24] and friendly match against Poland.[25] Peyrovani did not invite Haghighi for 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games stating "he is too old to play in 2012 London Olympics",[26] despite inviting 28 years old Mehdi Rahmati as a Wild Card player.[27][28] Peyrovani also rejected having any problems with Haghighi.[29]

Senior team

Haghighi was called up to Iran national football team in 2010 under management of Afshin Ghotbi.[30] In 2012 Haghighi was called up to the 2012 WAFF Championship in Kuwait. He started in a game against Bahrain. The game ended 0–0.

2014 FIFA World Cup

On 1 June 2014, he was included in Iran's 2014 FIFA World Cup squad by Carlos Queiroz.[31] On 16 June 2014, Haghighi started in Iran's opening match in the World Cup against Nigeria. With a goalless draw, Haghighi became the first Iranian goalkeeper to achieve a clean sheet at a FIFA World Cup. He also started Iran's next two matches in the World Cup against Argentina and Bosnia and Herzegovina. He showed a good performance in the Argentina match where he saved shots from Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuaín and Sergio Agüero. He conceded the only goal of the match in the 91st minute when Lionel Messi dribbled inside and curled a left-footed shot past the outstretched hands of Haghighi. In Iran's next and final match of the tournament, Haghighi conceded goals from Bosnia and Herzegovina strikers, where Iran was eliminated from the 2014 FIFA World Cup in the group stages after a 3–1 defeat.

2015 AFC Asian Cup

He was called into Iran's 2015 AFC Asian Cup squad on 30 December 2014 by Carlos Queiroz.[32]

Honours

Individual
Persepolis
Rubin Kazan

References

  1. ↑ http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Penafiel/interior.aspx?content_id=901192
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 (Persian) Haddadpour, Mehdi; Zarei, Asghar. Persepolis F.C. Official pictorial lexicon and Yearbook of 2007–2008. Honarkade Khojaste
  3. ↑ "Iran Youth team debut on Sunday". Iran Sports Press. 28 October 2006. Retrieved 18 August 2010.
  4. ↑ Haghighi left Persepolis after 11 years
  5. ↑ Goalkeeper Alireza Khagigi became player of "Rubin"
  6. ↑ Iran keeper heads to Russia
  7. ↑ Haghighi rejoins to Persepolis
  8. ↑ Official: Haghighi joined Persepolis on loan
  9. ↑ Mashregh
  10. ↑ http://www.persianleague.com/the-news/1-latest-news/8650-alireza-haghighi-to-join-sporting-covilha.html
  11. ↑ http://www.record.xl.pt/Futebol/Nacional/1a_liga/Penafiel/interior.aspx?content_id=901192
  12. ↑ http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2014/09/20/penafiel-wins-first-game-of-season-in-portugal/15972287/
  13. ↑ http://portugaldesportivo.net/haghighi-e-o-jogador-da-semana/
  14. ↑ "Iran Sport". Iran Sport. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  15. ↑ AFC Youth Championship 2006: Heartbreak for Iran as Japan, DPR Korea go through to last eight
  16. ↑ AFC Youth Championship 2006: Jong, Kim double up as DPR Korea thrash Iran
  17. ↑ Iran rally for 3–1 win over Tajikistan
  18. ↑ "RSSSF". RSSSF. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  19. ↑ Behnegarsoft.com. "Aftab". Aftabnews.ir. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  20. ↑ "Hamshahri". Hamshahrionline.ir. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  21. ↑ "Khabaronline". Khabaronline.ir. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  22. ↑ "IRIB". Iribnews.ir. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  23. ↑ "Mehr". Mehrnews.com. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  24. ↑ "Fars". Farsnews.net. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  25. ↑ "Fardanews". Fardanews. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  26. ↑ "goal.com" (in Persian). goal.com. 7 November 2010. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  27. ↑ Khabaronline
  28. ↑ "Aftab". Aftabir.com. 7 September 2010. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  29. ↑ "asriran". asriran. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  30. ↑ "goal.com" (in Persian). goal.com. 27 December 2010. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  31. ↑ "Queiroz trims Iran squad to 24". FIFA.com. 1 June 2014. Retrieved 1 June 2014.
  32. ↑ "Queiroz Names Team Melli Squad". afcasiancup.com. 30 December 2014.

External links

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