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Iran's Beikzadeh out of Asian Cup (updated)

Xinhua, January 8, 2015 Adjust font size:

Iran suffered a blow on the eve of the Asian Cup when defender Hashem Beikzadeh was ruled out with a broken hand.

Coach Carlos Queiroz said the loss of the 30-year-old, who sustained the injury in training on Wednesday, had caused "big damage" to Iran's plans.

The full-back, who can also play in central defence, will be replaced by Mohammad Reza Khanzadeh. The 23-year-old will arrive on Friday ahead of Iran's Group C opener against Bahrain on Sunday.

Iran's back line had already suffered the loss of Pejman Montazeri, who was ruled out last month after injuring his foot.

"This is a big damage for us as with Pejman injured. We have two main players in our defensive line that are out," Queiroz said.

Iran is considered one of the leading contenders in Australia, where the team is trying to end the long wait for a title after winning the Asian Cup three times in a row between 1968 and 1976. Endi