May 23, 2011, 11:20 AM

Legendary keeper Nasser Hejazi dies

Legendary keeper Nasser Hejazi dies

TEHRAN, May 23 (MNA) -- Iran's legendary keeper Nasser Hejazi passed away from lung cancer on Monday.

Hejazi, who was rushed to Tehran’s Kasra hospital on Friday, died at the age of 62.

He was goalkeeper of Iran national football team in 1960's and 1970's . Hejazi won the AFC Asian Cup twice. The keeper played for Iran 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 and won Azadegan League and Hazfi Cup as well as runner 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 sympathized with Hejazi after he found out that the former Iranian keeper is battling 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 a letter.
 
MH/MH
END
MNA
News ID 46090

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