Alireza Beiranvand

Alireza Safar Beiranvand (Persian: علیرضا صفر بیرانوند‎; born 21 September 1992) is an Iranian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Belgian First Division A club Royal Antwerp and the Iran national team.[2] Beiranvand represented Iran internationally at the 2015 and 2019 AFC Asian Cups, and at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.[3]

Alireza Beiranvand
Beiranvand with Iran at the 2018 FIFA World Cup
Personal information
Full name Alireza Safar Beiranvand[1]
Date of birth (1992-09-21) 21 September 1992
Place of birth Sarab-e Yas
Height 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in)[1]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Club information
Current team
 Royal Antwerp
Number 1
Youth career
2007–2008 Vahdat
2008–2016 Naft Tehran
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2016 Naft Tehran 68 (0)
2016–2020 Persepolis 88 (0)
2020– Royal Antwerp 8 (0)
National team‡
2010–2012 Iran U20 1 (0)
2012–2014 Iran U23 11 (0)
2014– Iran 40 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 28 June 2020 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 14 November 2019

In 2017, Beiranvand became the first Iranian ever to be nominated for an individual award at The Best FIFA Football Awards.[4] He has been the best goalkeeper in the Persian Gulf Pro League for four consecutive seasons from 2014 to 2019, and has also been the Iranian Footballer of the Year in 2019.[5] With 23 clean sheets in 37 matches during the 2017–18 season, he ranked as the second goalkeeper in the world for the most clean sheets.[6]

Early life

Beiranvand was born in the small village of Sarab-e Yas in Khorramabad County, Lorestan Province, and grew up in a nomadic family.[7] In his teenage years, Beiranvand ran away from home and moved to Tehran in order to fulfill his dream of becoming a professional footballer, where he was homeless for some time.[7]

Club career

Naft Tehran

Beiranvand has played with Naft Tehran since 2011. He made his debut in Hazfi cup against Damash on 25 October 2011.[8] There were links between him and Tehran giant, Persepolis, but the chairman of Naft Tehran, Mansour Ghanbarzadeh, did not allow him to leave the club.[9] In his first year as the first choice goalkeeper, Beiranvand led Naft to a 3rd place League finish and a spot in the AFC Champions League for the first time in the club's history. On 23 March 2014, Beiranvand extended his contract with Naft until 2019. On 24 November 2014, Beiranvand provided an assist in their match against Tractor Sazi by throwing the ball into the opponent's half.[10]

He was linked with a move to Iranian side Persepolis in January 2016 but the move fell through at the last moment. Beiranvand left Naft at the end of the 2015–16 season after his contract expired.

Persepolis
Beiranvand with Persepolis in Tehran Derby (February 2017)

On 16 May 2016, after the completion of the 2015–16 Persian Gulf Pro League season, Beiranvand signed a two–year contract with league runners up Persepolis.[2] In 2017 Beiranvand extended his contract with Persepolis until 2021.[11] In December 2017, in a match against Foolad, Beiranvand set a Persian Gulf Pro League record of going 718 minutes without conceding a goal,[12] which was later broken by Esteghlal goalkeeper Hossein Hosseini.[13]

“What he did was amazing. He was the difference against us. He is truly a great goalkeeper; he fought and kept out our attack. There may have been other good players in the Persepolis team but the one who made the result possible was Beiranvand."

– Portuguese coach Jesualdo Ferreira, 24 October 2018.[14]

Beiranvand was named ََ2018 AFC Champions League semi-final first leg player of the week following his performance against Al-Sadd.[15] He was also "Man of the match" and with "Team of the Week" 2nd leg after saved many Al-Sadd's chances and help Persepolis to reach the final,[16][17] His five clean sheets during the competition was the most of any goalkeeper.[18] He was reportedly chosen as one of the candidates for the 2018 Asian Footballer of the Year award,[19] but his exclusion was described by Asian football writers as a big shock, and an outrageous and scandalous event.[20][21][22] The following season Beiranvand kept 16 Clean sheets in 2018–19 Pro League and claimed Golden Gloves for three Years in row and four times as a whole.

Antwerp

On 29 January 2020, Beiranvand signed a pre-contract for Antwerp to join them in summer of 2020.[23]

International career

Youth team

He was part of Iran U20 during the 2010 AFC U-19 Championship.[24]

Olympic team

He was invited to Iran U22 by Alireza Mansourian to compete in the 2013 AFC U-22 Asian Cup qualification.[25]

Senior team
Beiranvand in Iran training in 2016
Beiranvand and Queiroz after a 2019 AFC Asian Cup match.

In April 2014, he was called up to the Iran national football team training camp in South Africa by coach Carlos Queiroz after many Sepahan players could not make it because of AFC Champions League matches, including goalkeeper Rahman Ahmadi. He was also selected in Iran's 30-man provisional squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. However, Beiranvand was not included in Iran's squad for the World Cup, without playing any match in pre-World Cup friendly matches. He was called into Iran's 2015 AFC Asian Cup squad on 30 December 2014 by Carlos Queiroz.[26] He made his debut in a friendly match against Iraq on 4 January 2015, just before the 2015 AFC Asian Cup.

During the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification, first-choice goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi was denied a visa for entry to Guam ahead of their fixture, alongside left back Ehsan Hajsafi. Beiranvand was thus given his first competitive start for the senior team. However, he was given a straight-red in the 72nd minute for a foul on Guam midfielder Dylan Naputi, less than a minute after Iran had used up all of their substitutions, forcing defender Ezzatollah Pourghaz to take on goalkeeper duties.

During the final round of 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification, Beiranvand became Iran's starting goalkeeper, replacing Alireza Haghighi. In May 2018 he was named in Iran's preliminary squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.[27]

Beiranvand saving a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo (2018 FIFA World Cup)

In Iran's last match of the 2018 World Cup, Beiranvand saved a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo, as Iran drew 1–1 with Portugal.[28][29] Beiranvand was the starting goalkeeper of the Iran squad at Asian cup 2019. He was again in spotlight when he saved a penalty from Ahmed Mubarak Al-Mahaijri, as Iran won 2–0 against Oman.[30]He was again in spotlight when he saved a penalty from captain of Cambodia, as Iran won 14–0 against Cambodia.

Style of play
Beiranvand playing for Iran against Spain in 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Beiranvand's main trait is his ability to make very long throws.[31] In the 2015 AFC Champions League Round of 16, on 20 May 2015, against Al Ahli, Beiranvand made a throw that reached 60m.[32] On 24 November 2014, Beiranvand provided an assist against Tractor Sazi by throwing the ball into the opponent's half. Beiranvand is good in aerial duels, and has been praised for his athleticism, "outstanding shot-stopping", acrobatic dives, and his quick reflexes.[19]

Career statistics

Club
As of 28 June 2020.[33]

CS = Clean Sheets

Club Division Season League Hazfi Cup Asia Other Total
AppsCSAppsCSAppsCSAppsCSAppsCS
Naft Tehran Pro League 2013–14 231210——240
2014–15 2692090—370
2015–16 1991030—230
Total 683040120——840
Persepolis Pro League 2016–17 24170084—3221
2017–18 261732125114225
2018–19 241632124003922
2019–20 146222000188
Total 88568634131113176
Antwerp Jupiler Pro League 2020–21 0000000000
Career Total 156861264613112150

International
Statistics accurate as of match played 15 October 2019.[34]
Iran
YearAppsGoals
201530
201660
201790
2018100
2019 12 0
Total400

Honours
Beiranvand celebrating after winning the 2016–17 Persian Gulf Pro League.

Club
Naft Tehran
Persepolis

Individual

References
  1. "2018 FIFA World Cup Russia – List of Players" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 4 June 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 June 2018. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  2. باشگاه فرهنگی ورزشی پرسپولیس – علیرضا بیرانوند پرسپولیسی شد. Fc-perspolis.com (30 May 2017). Retrieved on 24 June 2017.
  3. Sport, Telegraph (15 June 2018). "Iran World Cup 2018 squad list and team guide". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  4. "FIFA Football Awards 2017 – Voting Results | THE BEST FIFA GOALKEEPER 2017" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). Retrieved 28 October 2017.
  5. "Best of Persian Gulf Pro League Win Awards". Financial Tribune. 24 July 2018. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
  6. "FIFA World Cup 2018: Top 5 goalkeepers ranked by clean sheets kept". www.sportskeeda.com. 14 June 2018. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  7. Jafarzadeh, Behnam (1 June 2018). "Alireza Beiranvand: from sleeping rough to the World Cup with Iran". the Guardian.
  8. Archived 6 April 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  9. Mehrdad. "Perspolisnews.Com – Perspolisnews.Com". perspolisnews.com.
  10. Ed Ran (24 November 2014). "Video: Goalkeeper gets insane assist after throwing ball directly into opponent's half". sportskeeda.com.
  11. "علیرضا بیرانوند - پرسپولیس؛ 1400".
  12. "Alireza Beiranvand Sets Record for Minutes without Conceding Goal".
  13. "Hosseini named Iran's goalkeeper with most clean sheets". Press TV. 13 January 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  14. "Beiranvand Profile". the-afc.com. Retrieved 19 June 2019
  15. "TOYOTA PLAYER OF THE WEEK | AFC". www.the-afc.com.
  16. "Persepolis vs Al-Sadd man of match 2nd leg". stats.the-afc.com.
  17. "This is your #ACL2018 semi-final second leg Team of the Week!".
  18. "Iran's Beiranvand, Cheshmi Can Impress in UAE 2019". Tasnim News Agency. 25 July 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  19. "Alireza Beiranvand proves the real deal with ACL heroics". FOX Sports Asia. 24 October 2018.
  20. "Paul Williams". Retrieved 19 November 2018.
  21. "John Duerden". Retrieved 19 November 2018.
  22. "Martin Lowe". Retrieved 19 November 2018.
  23. "AFC U-19 CHAMPIONSHIP 2010 MATCH SUMMARY". 19 May 2019.
  24. "AFC U-19 CHAMPIONSHIP 2010 MATCH SUMMARY". 13 September 2012. Archived from the original on 13 September 2012.
  25. "Player Profile ALI REZA SAFARBEIRANVAND".
  26. "Queiroz Names Team Melli Squad". afcasiancup.com. 30 December 2014. Archived from the original on 1 January 2015.
  27. "World Cup 2018: All the confirmed squads for this summer's finals in Russia". BBC Sport. 4 June 2018.
  28. "Iran Goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand's Life Story Is The Most Inspirational Story You'll Ever Read". 25 June 2018.
  29. "Iran deserve respect for denying Cristiano Ronaldo, says goalkeeper". The Independent. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  30. "Beiranvand save". Fox Sports. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  31. "Iran Goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand Has The Longest Throw In Football". 26 June 2018. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  32. "Inspiring Iranians". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
  33. "A. Beiranvand - Profile".
  34. Alireza Beiranvand at National-Football-Teams.com
  35. "The Best ACL2018 XI announced!". AFC. 9 August 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  36. "5 Asian FIFA World Cup Heroes". AFC. 1 April 2020.
  37. "Iran's Beiranvand named best Asian FIFA World Cup player". Iran Press. 15 April 2020.


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