Position: Forward
Born: 21.07.76
Club: Hannover

Vahid Hashemian may live in the shadow of the great Ali Daei at international level but he provides Iran with another potent attacking threat.

The Tehran-born forward has spent his career in Germany, beginning his Bundesliga life with Hamburg. Hashemian took time to adapt to life abroad and struggled to make an impact at Hamburg and eventually took the step down to Bundesliga.2 side Bochum in 2001.

The move proved a success and his eight goals in his first season with the club helped Bochum to promotion.

The following season, Hashemian played an important role in Bochum's mid-table finish before an even more prolific year in 2003/2004 fired the club into the UEFA Cup.

Bayern Munich had seen enough and paid Bochum 2million euros for the striker, who was bought primarily for his aerial ability.

Despite his powerful presence and determination, Hashemian was used largely as a substitute but still left the Bavarian giants with a Bundesliga winners' medal.

The 29-year-old joined Hannover in the summer of 2005 with his dedication and workrate making up for a less than prolific season in front of goal.

Hashemian contributed four goals in Iran's qualifying campaign and will be fighting for the second striker's role alongside Daei.