Khodadad Azizi vs Parviz Ghelichkhani
Iran against Iran. The almanac states its case, the crowd votes, you decide.
Khodadad Azizi
Iran · 1996–97 · CAM
- Almanac rating
- 87
- Rank in Iran
- #4 of 33
- Caps
- 47 · 11 goals
- Clubs
- Pas Tehran, 1. FC Köln, San Jose Earthquakes
Australia were two goals up at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 29 November 1997 with 15 minutes left when Karim Bagheri pulled one back and Azizi levelled it, sending Iran to their first World Cup in 20 years on away goals. Asian Footballer of the Year for 1996 and most valuable player of that year's Asian Cup, he played at France 98, including the 2-1 win over the United States, and spent three Bundesliga seasons at Köln. Career record: 47 caps and 11 goals for Iran; club career at Pas Tehran, 1. FC Köln, San Jose Earthquakes.
Parviz Ghelichkhani
Iran · 1962–1978 · CM
- Almanac rating
- 87
- Rank in Iran
- #5 of 33
- Caps
- 64 · 12 goals
- Clubs
- Kian, Esteghlal, San Jose Earthquakes
Captaining Iran in front of a hundred thousand at Tehran's Aryamehr Stadium, he lifted Asian Games gold in September 1974, a deep-lying midfielder trusted for his tackling, his range of pass and his authority. No other player has won three straight Asian Cups, which he did in 1968, 1972 and 1976, and his 66 caps ended with his removal from Iran's first World Cup squad in 1978, a decision widely read as political. Career record: 64 caps and 12 goals for Iran; club career at Kian, Esteghlal, San Jose Earthquakes.
The verdict
The almanac cannot separate them: both are rated 87.
Fans have not settled this one yet. Cast the first vote in the duels.