Asian Games 2018: Predicting Iran's starting seven for the tournament

A dominant force who have shattered the glass wall and certainly have made a name for themselves, team Iran have barged through other nations and have left a huge mark in the Kabaddi world.

Their lean and muscular heavyweights in the line up are known to provide hefty tackles that take the raiders' momentum completely. Iran used a competitive approach at the Dubai Kabaddi Masters' with a squad that actually consisted of their 'B' players when they left out huge names like Fazel Atrachali, Abozar Mighani, and Meraj Sheykh yet ended their season run as the finalists.

Iran is one of the few nations who have a prolonged history with the game as they associated in the year 2014 and now are the major force of Kabaddi. They lost the final to Iran just like they had lost to team India in the Kabaddi World Cup 2016, but they have always provided a tough scenario to the Indian Kabaddians. They dropped a bombshell once again not announcing their former captain, Meraj Sheykh into the lineup.

Known for their wrestling background in their arsenal, the selection committee of Iran has picked a mix of youth and experience in their line up. Started in 2006 as 4th place and they went on to win two consecutive silver medals in 2010 and 2014. In the quest to their very first gold medal, here is an overview on what Team Iran might choose their playing 7 on the mat for the Jakarta Asian Games 2018!

Right corner: Abozar Mohajer Mighani

Abozar was one of the strongest pillars of Iranian corner defense

If Gujarat Fortune Giants' successive run had to be measured, it was their upright defense that won them a lot of matches. Abozar Mighani had come in like a shining sorcerer when his maiden season saw him bringing 65 tackle points in 26 matches with an average of 2.5 tackle point per match.

He certainly was there to tyrannize making things even more difficult for the left raiders like Pardeep Narwal and Rahul Chaudhari in the Pro Kabaddi League. His arsenal moves consist of precisely executed dives over the knees of speedy raiders and astounding blocks. His duo with Fazel in the left corner had managed 122 tackle points overall in the season 5 of Pro Kabaddi league.

He also had a smasher of a debut in the Kabaddi World Cup 2016 when he took a high 5 in the beginning encounter versus the USA. Abozar will play as one of the pillars of the Iranian corner defense once again making a corner partnership with Fazel making things for the Raiders a bit too complex.

Right in: Emad Sedaghatnia

Emad had scored a 5 pointer raid which left a lot of eyebrows raised.

Emad Sedaghatnia had an impressive international debut for Iran who was certainly the find for team Iran in Dubai Kabaddi Masters 2018. An agile raider who has a fast pace to move in the opposition's court loves to execute stretchy hand touches and cheeky escapes.

Emad starred the showdown versus Argentina in Dubai scoring an exciting super 10, a watching winning 11 raid points. He literally produces the magical moment of the tournament when he got a 5 pointer raid escaping out of the knee grasp of Gabriel Sacchi in the left corner and managed to take the majority of the team with him.

His innovative form and class will surely be a treat to watch for the fans as he is expected to be a part of the dominant force Iran.

Right cover: Mohammad Nabibaksh

Nabibaksh had scored crucial points versus Pakistan that booked Iran the final spot.

Mohammad Nabibaksh has a plethora of skills if you analyze him; a complete all-rounder into the mix. He had taken all the limelight upon himself with his all rounding abilities especially in the night of the finals versus India.

Usually a raiding all-rounder, he starred as Iran's highlight of the match when at the 38th minute of the match, he dashed Ajay Thakur out of the court as a muscular thrash getting 2 crucial points of the super tackle.

Also, his raiding skills depicted a perfect improvisation in the semifinals versus Pakistan where he took out Wasim Sajjad and two supporting defenders with his 3 pointer raid. Nabibaksh brings balance to his team with his raiding and defending abilities, this mustache keeping all-rounder will bring a lot of exhilaration on the mat for team Iran.

Center: Mohammad Esmael Maghsoudloo

Mohammad Esmael has a prolonged history with Iranian Kabaddi team.

Deeply rooted with a lot of experience in his bag, Mohammad Magsoudloo has certainly left a lot of lasting memories in the minds of Kabaddi lovers. He was the only experienced raider in the Iran team 'B' of Dubai Kabaddi Masters 2018.

He is known to raise the quality of his game during high-pressure situations. A perfectionist who loves to produce good escapes snatched a super 10 against big match players of South Korea and haunted their defense. His contributions were immense which led Iran to position themselves as runners-up and also has defending arsenal in his backup.

He had scored a high 5 in the same match as a raider surprisingly versus South Korea that showed he can defend against quick long legged raiders as well. He will be the key raider to lead Iran and probably look to grab a gold medal for the first time.

Left cover: Mohammad Malak

A new rising left cover defender, Malak has been outstanding since Day 1.

They say "The first impression is the last impression." When Mohammad Malak debuted in the first match versus South Korea in Kabaddi Masters 2018, he attained 6 tackle points in 6 attempts with a strike rate of 100% success.

The culmination of the match came in the first half itself when he tackled Jang Kun Lee with a dive on the knees which is a hectic thing to do from the cover position. He showed how he targets both the knees showing nostalgia for Ravinder Pahal and is also a specialist of the back hold. This cover defender who wears a headband is an exciting addition to the Iranian lineup and will look to execute his class on the mat.

Left in: Abolfazl Maghsoudlu

Abolfazl was also the part of a lineup that participated in Kabaddi World Cup 2016.

Abolfazl Maghsoudlu will be making a return to the mat after a decent satisfactory season with Dabang Delhi K.C. in the Pro Kabaddi season 5. He was their major raider of the tournament with 91 raid points in 19 matches.

Having played in the Indian environment with teams like U Mumba and Patna Pirates, he will carry his PKL experience to the international level. Not to forget he had brought 5 crucial raid points in a group stage match versus Kenya during the Kabaddi World Cup 2016.

With his ability to take a bonus and his height of 6 feet 2 inches allows him to make it to the midline with backtracking abilities. He has represented the black jersey of Iran in the past, will look to carry his team to ultimate success.

Left corner: Fazel Atrachali

Fazel Atrachali is expected to captain Iranian team in Asian Games 2018.

A wrestler turned into a Kabaddi star, Fazel is undoubtedly the best foreign defender in the world. He doesn't require any introduction at all. Calm and composed, Fazel Atrachali has been a part of team Iran since 2010 which saw them bringing their first ever silver medal in Asian Games.

Over 152 tackle points in 230 attempts, Fazel is the only foreign player to have a century of tackle points in the Pro Kabaddi league. Expected to lead Iran in the Asian Games 2018, Fazel is known for his wrestler like body blocks and tightened waist holds. Fazel will be the Iranian wall of defense and will bring extravaganza on the Kabaddi mat indeed.