Hashemian Says Forgot National Side Two Years Ago

Mehr News- Iranian striker of VfL Bochum, Vahid Hashemian, here Friday said he decided to pull out of the national team two years ago.
The third leading scorer of the Bundesliga, who has come back home Thursday for a winter break scotched the rumor that he refuses to play for his country to secure his position in the German club.

"My withdrawal from the national squad dated back to two years ago," reiterated Hashemian adding, "I clearly told the Football Federation officials at that time that I would not play for the team due to the conditions and asked them not to invite me to the national camps."

Hasemian grabbed an equalizer against Hanover in the 17th week of the Bundesliga Wednesday night.

Bochum held on to fifth place by twice coming back from a goal down to earn a share of the points courtesy of a spectacular header from Iran striker Vahid Hashemian in the 75th minute.

Striker Thomas Brdaric put the home side in front with an angled effort from inside the box in the 18th minute. A blunder by the Hanover defense helped Danish forward Peter Madsen equalize eight minutes into the second half.

Canada midfielder Julian de Guzman then restored Hanover's lead with a deflected shot in the 62nd minute.

Leading scorers after Wednesday's matches are Ailton of Werder Bremen with 16 goals, Martin Max of Hansa Rostock with 12, Bochum's Vahid Hashemian with 11, and Roy Makaay of Bayern Munich with 10 goals.

Iranian sensation last Saturday inspired Bochum to a 1-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt.

Hashemian netted in the 21st minute to help Bochum stand fifth in the 16th week on 25 points.

The goal brought Hashemian's tally to 20 in the Bundesliga, one above his fellow countryman Ali Daei's.

National skipper and Persepolis striker Daei played for Arminia Bielefeld, Hertha Berlin, and Bayern Munich.

Hashemian reiterated that he will not rejoin the national team for now despite the latest invitation by Iran's head coach Branco Ivancovic, the German press said Monday.

"Currently I don't want to play," Hashemian was quoted as saying after his team's narrow 1-0 home victory against Eintracht Frankfurt Saturday.

The 27-year-old player who is slated to arrive in Iran by the end of the week for a home visit, was reacting to earlier statements by Ivancovic who said he would try to convince Hashemian to return to the national squad.

Hashemian has repeatedly stressed that he only wants to concentrate on his club career for the moment.