Mohammad Alavi is a Iranian football player, playing for Foolad Ahvaz club in Iran and the national team in the defensive midfield position.
A product of the football rich province of Khuzestan and the young team of Foolad, young Alavi stormed on the national scene after his tremendous header goal against China in Azadi Stadium which assured Iran 3 points in the anticipated revival of the teams chances in the Olympic qualifying matches.
Although Alavi was selected by then coach Mayeli Kohan in the roster of the U23 team, he was not given any playing time. It was only after Mayeli Kohan was sacked , that the new coach Hossein Faraki recognized Alavi’s potential and used him in the team in all the remaining matches. Apart from his goal against China , Alavi played well in all the remaining matches under Faraki although it was a step too late as Iran did not manage to dislodge the Koreans from clinching the qualification to Athens. Alavi would later score a goal in Iran's controversial loss to China in the Asian Championships held in Taiwan 2004. The goal kept Iran's hopes alive, as they were forced to play one man down due to a red card.
Alavi's performance with his club, Foolad was also remarkable. He was a pivotal player within this young team and his consistency and solid defending was one of the factors for the success of his club.
Alavi is usually a substitute player within the national team but he is still a good option for the future and a certain option for Iran in the upcoming World Cup.
