Iran suffer Karimi injury blow for Asian Cup

TOKYO, Aug 10 (Reuters) Iran will be without injured playmaker Ali Karimi for next week's Asian Cup qualifier against Syria, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said today.

The Bayern Munich midfielder picked up a thigh strain while training with the German club last week, ruling him out of Iran's Group B clash in Tehran on August 16.

Iran's coach Amir Ghalenoiee is also sweating over the fitness of striker Vahid Hashemian, who has yet to fully recover from a back injury suffered during the World Cup.

Iran are drawn with South Korea, Syria and Taiwan in a tricky qualifying group for the 2007 Asian Cup.

REUTERS PM HT1450