A Dream To Fulfil
This is a story of a defiant boy who ran away from home aged 14 to pursue his love for football. The torn gloves, the hard work at the car wash to survive, the cold streets of Tehran to sleep, but an uncompromising dream to fulfil. Alireza Beiranvand, the goalkeeper of Iran, stunned the world with his defiance, grit and goalkeeping skills to deny New Zealand and the mighty Belgians and earn a name for himself.
Ravaged By War: Iran With Alireza Shine Under The American Sky
A country ravaged by war had earned its right to play in the World Cup after a tremendous qualifying campaign. But the braves arrived against all odds and survived against all the logistical issues they faced. They were greeted with both boos and cheers, but the boos, too, turned into a quiet cheer as Alireza Beiranvand shone under the American sky.
Dalparan
Born to a nomadic Kurdish tribe in Lorestan Province along the Zagros Mountains in the West of Iran, Alireza was seasoned by a tough childhood, herding sheep and playing Dalparan, a local game of throwing rocks.
Escape To Tehran
Alireza started playing football aged 12 and ran away to Tehran two years later when his father, in a fit of rage, tore his keeper’s gloves. Alireza knew he was born to protect the goal and eventually found his way to the National Team.
The World Record
Playing Dalparan had helped as Alireza created a World Record of the longest throw in a football match of 61 m in 2016 against South Korea, and as he continued to keep, he was nicknamed the Wall of Persia.
A Jaw-Dropping Performance Against Belgium
His performance against Belgium was jaw-dropping. The quality of Lukaku and Kevin de Bruyne notwithstanding, Alireza just shut all doors to the Iranian goal as a desperate Belgium, at the fag end of its golden generation of players, ploughed everything they had to secure a goal, which Alireza denied for good.
Still Unbeaten On American Soil
Along with a draw against New Zealand in their first match in Group G, the Iranians, with no base camp in the US, forced a draw against Belgium to remain unbeaten on American soil.
Round of 32 Beckons Iran
With their last game against Egypt in Seattle, Iran will be aiming to progress to the Round of 32, and if that happens, it will be an incredible achievement.
The Wall Of Persia & The Pharaohs For A Fight
Alireza Beiranvand, the Wall of Persia, who plays for Tractor SC in Iran, will be standing firm to deny the Pharaohs.
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