Iran’s legendary keeper Nasser Hejazi passes away
TehranTimes – Iran’s legendary goalkeeper and football coach Nasser Hejazi on Monday died of lung cancer.
On Friday, Hejazi, 62, went into coma and was admitted in Tehran’s Kasra hospital but doctors failed to save his life. He breathed for the last time on Monday morning at 10:55am.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani expressed condolence over Hejazi’s death. In his message, the top lawmaker said Iranian legend was amongst the most honorable figures in the Iranian sports world.
Hejazi was working with his former club Esteghlal as a board member.
He served Iran as a goalkeeper for the national football team in late 1960's and 1970's. He won the AFC Asian Cup twice for Iran and also played for the Islamic Republic in the 1976 Olympic Games and 1978 FIFA World Cup.
In 2000, the Asian Football Confederation ranked him the second best Asian goalkeeper of the 20th century behind former Saudi Arabia keeper Mohamed Al-Deayea.
He led Esteghlal from 1996 to 1999 and later in 2007 won Azadegan League and Hazfi Cup titles, in addition to, finished runners-up in the AFC Champions League in 1999.
Hejazi earned 62 caps for Iran from 1968 to 1980. He received an offer from Manchester United after the 1978 FIFA World Cup, and trained with them for a month, appearing in a reserve match against Stoke City.
Last year Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson expressed sympathy with Hejazi when he found out that former Iranian keeper is battling with cancer.
“I was sorry to hear that you have not been feeling too well. I just thought I would drop you a line on behalf of the players and staff, as I wanted you to know that we are all thinking about you. On a personal note, I would like to thank you for your loyal support and devotion to the club over the years, which is very much appreciated,” Ferguson wrote in the letter.
On Friday, Hejazi, 62, went into coma and was admitted in Tehran’s Kasra hospital but doctors failed to save his life. He breathed for the last time on Monday morning at 10:55am.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani expressed condolence over Hejazi’s death. In his message, the top lawmaker said Iranian legend was amongst the most honorable figures in the Iranian sports world.
Hejazi was working with his former club Esteghlal as a board member.
He served Iran as a goalkeeper for the national football team in late 1960's and 1970's. He won the AFC Asian Cup twice for Iran and also played for the Islamic Republic in the 1976 Olympic Games and 1978 FIFA World Cup.
In 2000, the Asian Football Confederation ranked him the second best Asian goalkeeper of the 20th century behind former Saudi Arabia keeper Mohamed Al-Deayea.
He led Esteghlal from 1996 to 1999 and later in 2007 won Azadegan League and Hazfi Cup titles, in addition to, finished runners-up in the AFC Champions League in 1999.
Hejazi earned 62 caps for Iran from 1968 to 1980. He received an offer from Manchester United after the 1978 FIFA World Cup, and trained with them for a month, appearing in a reserve match against Stoke City.
Last year Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson expressed sympathy with Hejazi when he found out that former Iranian keeper is battling with cancer.
“I was sorry to hear that you have not been feeling too well. I just thought I would drop you a line on behalf of the players and staff, as I wanted you to know that we are all thinking about you. On a personal note, I would like to thank you for your loyal support and devotion to the club over the years, which is very much appreciated,” Ferguson wrote in the letter.