Khodadad Azizi facts for kids
Azizi in 2019
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Khodadad Azizi | ||
| Date of birth | 22 June 1971 | ||
| Place of birth | Fariman,Iran | ||
| Height | 1.69 m | ||
| Playing position | Striker | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1983–1988 | Aboomoslem | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1988–1993 | Aboomoslem | ||
| 1993–1995 | Fath Tehran | ||
| 1995–1996 | Bahman | ||
| 1996–1997 | Persepolis | 4 | (4) |
| 1997–2000 | 1. FC Köln | 50 | (10) |
| 2000 | San Jose Earthquakes | 20 | (3) |
| 2001 | Al-Nasr | 10 | (2) |
| 2001–2005 | Pas | 82 | (23) |
| 2005 | Admira Wacker | 0 | (0) |
| 2005–2006 | Oghab | ||
| 2006 | Rah Ahan | 11 | (2) |
| National team | |||
| 1992–2004 | Iran | 45 | (11) |
| Teams managed | |||
| 2006–2007 | Aboomoslem | ||
| 2008 | Payam Khorasan | ||
| 2009 | Esteghlal Ahvaz | ||
| 2011–2012 | Aboomoslem | ||
| 2015 | Shahrdari Tabriz | ||
| 2016–2017 | Siah Jamegan | ||
| 2018 | Sepidrood Rasht | ||
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Khodadad Azizi (born June 22, 1971) is a famous Iranian football coach and a former player. He was known for playing as a striker, which means he was usually trying to score goals for his team. Azizi is remembered for his speed and skill on the field.
Contents
Early Life and Challenges
Khodadad Azizi grew up in the city of Mashhad in Iran. When he was a child, he loved playing soccer. He even played with shoes that didn't match!
At just 11 years old, he started working as a construction worker. He did this with his brother to help support his family. Later, in high school, he faced a challenge. He was asked to leave his school after an incident with a sports teacher. But with help from his brother, he was able to enroll in another school.
Playing for Clubs
Azizi played for several football clubs during his career. He started his journey in Iran. His amazing skills caught the eye of teams outside his home country.
Playing in Germany
In 1997, Khodadad Azizi moved to Germany. He joined a team called 1. FC Köln. This was a big step for him. He was one of the first Iranian players to join the Bundesliga. The Bundesliga is Germany's top football league. He played there for three seasons.
Playing in the United States and UAE
After his time in Germany, Azizi moved to the United States. He signed with the San Jose Earthquakes in California in 2000. He was only the second Iranian player to play in the Major League Soccer (MLS). The MLS is the main football league in the United States.
In 2001, he moved to the United Arab Emirates. He played for a club called Al Nasr. After that, he returned to Iran. He joined Pas Tehran, where he played for several years.
Later Club Career
In 2005, Azizi played for Admira Wacker in the Austrian Bundesliga. But he soon came back to Iran. He played for a lower division club called Oghab. His stay there was short. He then joined Rah Ahan in late 2005.
Khodadad Azizi officially retired from playing football in 2006. After retiring, he became an advisor for his hometown club, Aboomoslem. He also helped start a sports clothing company called Majid.
International Football Career
Khodadad Azizi was a key player for the Iranian national team. He played in many important tournaments.
Major Tournaments
- He played in the 1996 AFC Asian Cup.
- He also represented Iran in the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
- He played in the 2000 AFC Asian Cup.
Awards and Famous Goals
Azizi received special recognition for his talent. In 1996, he was named the Asian Footballer of the Year. This award goes to the best football player in Asia. He was also named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the 1996 AFC Asian Cup.
One of his most famous moments came in November 1997. He scored a crucial goal against Australia. This goal helped Iran qualify for the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France. It was a huge moment for Iranian football fans!
Coaching Career
After his playing days, Khodadad Azizi started a career in coaching.
In December 2006, he became the manager of Aboomoslem. This was the same club where he began his playing career. He coached other teams too, like Payam Khorasan and Esteghlal Ahvaz. In 2011, he returned to coach Aboomoslem for a second time.
Honours and Achievements
Khodadad Azizi achieved many great things during his football career.
Team Honours
- 1. FC Köln
- Won the 2. Bundesliga (German second division) in the 1999–2000 season.
- Pas
- Won the Iran Pro League (Iran's top division) in the 2003–04 season.
Individual Awards
- Asian Footballer of the Year: 1996
- AFC Asian Cup Most Valuable Player: 1996
- MLS All-Star: 2000
- Named to the MasterCard Asian/Oceanian Team of the 20th Century: 1998
See also
- In Spanish: Khodadad Azizi para niños
