Ehsan Hajsafi
.jpg) Hajsafi in 2014 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Ehsan Hajsafi | ||
| Date of birth | February 25, 1990 | ||
| Place of birth | Kashan, Iran | ||
| Height | 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in) | ||
| Playing position | Utility Player | ||
| Club information | |||
Current team | Sepahan | ||
| Number | 28 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2000–2006 | Zob Ahan | ||
| 2006 | Sepahan | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2006– | Sepahan | 194 | (25) |
| 2011–2012 | → Tractor Sazi (loan) | 45 | (9) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2005–2006 | Iran U-17 | 6 | (2) |
| 2007–2008 | Iran U-20 | 8 | (2) |
| 2007–2011 | Iran U-23 | 12 | (1) |
| 2008– | Iran | 69 | (4) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 4 December 2014. † Appearances (Goals). | |||
Ehsan Hajsafi (Persian: احسان حاجصفی, born February 26, 1990) is an Iranian footballer who currently plays for Sepahan in the Iran Pro League.[1] He is a member of the Iranian national team.
Hajsafi is regarded as a Utility Player, being able to play as Left back, Defensive midfielder, Playmaker and Winger.[2][3]
In 2009, Hajsafi was selected by Goal.com as the most promising player in Asian football.[4] Hajsafi has represented Iran at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, in addition to Sepahan at the 2007 FIFA Club World Cup.
Club career
Sepahan
He started his career in Zob Ahan in 2000 and left the club in 2006, joining Sepahan. He was extracted from Sepahan youth academy by Luka Bonačić.[5] Hajsafi played two matches from start in 2007 FIFA Club World Cup and has been a regular for Sepahan during recent seasons. Sepahan came second in 2007 AFC Champions League.
Ehsan takes set pieces for Sepahan and plays both in central and left midfield, having scored six league goals for Sepahan in 2007–08 season. In the last game of the league match against Persepolis, Hajsafi scored a goal for Sepahan that could have granted Sepahan the title, but Persepolis scored the vital winning goal in stoppage time to win the title. He continued to perform well and scoring wonderful goals for Sepahan in 2008–09 season. He was tested as the left back in 2009–10 season where Sepahan won the league, and extended his contract with Sepahan for two another years.[6]
Tractor Sazi (loan)
In June 2011, Hajsafi signed a one and a half year loan conscription contract with Tractor Sazi, reuniting him with former coach Amir Ghalenoei.[7] Tractor finished second in the league, their best results in club history. His contract with Tractor ended in January 2012, and he returned to Sepahan.
Return to Sepahan
He returned to Sepahan in January 2012, began this time with coach Zlatko Kranjčar. He won the Hazfi Cup with the team and extended his contract with Sepahan for another two seasons at the end of the season. In August 2014 after the end of his contract Hajsafi was close to signing with Championship side Fulham, but the deal fell through due to work permit issues.[8] Hajsafi returned to Iran and extended his contract for another two seasons with Sepahan.
Club career statistics
- Last Update: 4 December 2014
| Club performance | League | Cup | Continental | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Iran | League | Hazfi Cup | Asia | Total | ||||||
| 2006–07 | Sepahan | Iran Pro League | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 16 | 0 |
| 2007–08 | 32 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 421 | 7 | ||
| 2008–09 | 29 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 34 | 8 | ||
| 2009–10 | 32 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 39 | 5 | ||
| 2010–11 | 28 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 37 | 3 | ||
| 2011–12 | → Tractor Sazi | 32 | 5 | 1 | 0 | – | – | 33 | 5 | |
| 2012–13 | 13 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 4 | ||
| Sepahan | 16 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 24 | 2 | ||
| 2013–14 | 29 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 36 | 2 | ||
| 2014–15 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 2 | ||
| Career total | 227 | 34 | 14 | 3 | 37 | 0 | 278 | 37 | ||
1 includes 2 matches in FIFA Club World Cup 2007.
- Assist Goals
| Season | Team | Assists |
|---|---|---|
| 07–08 | Sepahan | 6 |
| 08–09 | Sepahan | 4 |
| 09–10 | Sepahan | 13 |
| 10–11 | Sepahan | 3 |
| 11–12 | Tractor Sazi | 11 |
| 12–13 | Tractor Sazi | 3 |
| 12–13 | Sepahan | 1 |
| 13–14 | Sepahan | 6 |
| 14–15 | Sepahan | 1 |
Statistics [9]
International career
.jpg)
Hajsafi competed for Iran national under-17 football team at the 2006 AFC Youth Championship. He later went on to appear for U-20 and U-23 teams.
On 25 May 2008, Hajsafi played his first A national team match for Iran in a friendly game against Zambia. He shone in his debut with two brilliant assists in Iran's 3–2 win at Azadi Stadium. On 2 June, he then played in Iran's 2010 FIFA World Cup World Cup qualification against United Arab Emirates at home. In the return game, Hajsafi came on as a substitute to help Iran win the crucial away game.
His first international goal was against Qatar in the 2008 West Asian Football Federation Championship, when Iran went on to win 6–1. He played in 2011 AFC Asian Cup qualification, which was considered the best left side of the competition. He also played for the team in the tournament which Iran was eliminated in the Round 16 by South Korea. In March 2014, he assigned as captain for first time in his 57th national cap against Kuwait.
On 1 June 2014, he was called into Iran's 2014 FIFA World Cup squad by Carlos Queiroz.[10] He played full 90 minutes in Iran's first match against Nigeria which ended 0–0. He then started in match against Argentina and was one of the key players in the match. He substituted in the 88 minutes and then Argentina scored their lone goal by Lionel Messi. He also played 63 minutes in Iran's final match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Iran were eliminated in the group stages. He was called into Iran's 2015 AFC Asian Cup squad on 30 December 2014 by Carlos Queiroz.[11] On 11 January 2015, in Iran's opening match of the tournament, Hajsafi scored the first goal and was named man of the match in a 2–0 win against Bahrain.
International goals
- Scores and results list Iran's goal tally first.
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11 August 2008 | Takhti Stadium, Tehran |  Qatar | 4–1 | 6–1 | 2008 West Asian Championship |
| 2 | 28 December 2009 | Suhaim bin Hamad, Doha | Qatar | 2–2 | 2–3 | Friendly |
| 3. | 8 June 2014 | CT Joaquim Grava, São Paulo |  Trinidad and Tobago | 1–0 | 2–0 | Friendly |
| 4. | 11 January 2015 | Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne |  Bahrain | 1–0 | 2–0 | 2015 AFC Asian Cup |
Honours
Club
- Sepahan
- AFC Champions League:
- Runner up (1): 2007
- Iran Pro League (2): 2009–10, 2010–11
- Runner up (1): 2007–08
- Hazfi Cup (3): 2005–06, 2006–07, 2012–13
- Tractor Sazi
- Iran Pro League
- Runner up (1): 2011–12
Country
- WAFF Championship (1): 2008
Individual
- Football Iran News & Events:
- Young Player of the Year (2007–08)
- Iran Football Federation Award:
- Young Player of the Year (2007–08)
- AFC Asian Cup 2015 Man of the Match: vs. Bahrain
References
- ↑
- ↑ parsfootball.com
- ↑ football.ir
- ↑ http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/141/asia/2009/01/01/1036161/feature-ten-asian-players-to-watch-in-2009
- ↑ jamejamonline
- ↑ fooladsepahansport.com
- ↑ http://navad.net/NewsContent.aspx?NewsID=23502
- ↑ http://www.presstv.com/detail/2014/08/27/376774/irans-defender-linked-to-fulham-move/
- ↑ "PersianLeague.com".
- ↑ "Queiroz trims Iran squad to 24". FIFA.com. 1 June 2014. Retrieved 1 June 2014.
- ↑ "Queiroz Names Team Melli Squad". afcasiancup.com. 30 December 2014.
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