Iran captain Ali Daei to quit after World Cup

DPA - Iran's national team captain Ali Daei wants to quit international football after the World Cup 2006 in Germany, the news agency ISNA reported on Sunday.

“I prefer to withdraw from the national team after the World Cup 2006 and just concentrate on my club team (Saba Battery Teheran),” Daei said.

Until then however the 36-year-old hopes to increase his national team games to over 150.

Iran need just one point from the remaining two qualifiers – at home against Bahrain and away to Japan – to qualify for next year's Finals in Germany.

The former striker of Hertha BSC Berlin, Arminia Bielefeld and Bayern Munich last year received the Iranian badge of merit in recognition of his outstanding achievements in sports and his social engagement for children and young adults.

Last November Daei became the first player worldwide to score 100 goals in international football. A street in Teheran is to be named after Daei following the end of his sports career.