Arash Borhani

Arash Borhani (Template:Langx; born 14 September 1983 in Kerman, Iran) is a retired Iranian football player and coach. He is the all-time top goal scorer of Esteghlal and also the second all-time top goal scorer in Iran's Premier Football League. He was the top goal scorer of 2008–09 Iran's Premier Football League. He was also a member of the Iran national football team. Borhani won a bronze medal in 2006 Asian Games with Iran national under-23 football team.

Arash Borhani is a former Iranian footballer who has played for several clubs throughout his career, including PAS Tehran, Al-Nasr (UAE), Esteghlal, and Paykan. He also made 37 appearances for the Iranian national team, scoring 10 goals. Additionally, Borhani was a key player for the Iran U-23 national team, contributing to their success in winning the bronze medal at the 2006 Asian Games.

Club career

Pas

Having just moved to Pas in the Iran's Premier Football league, he helped the club to finish second in the 2002–03 season. He scored four goals in the season, which three of them was on a hat-trick in the last match of the season. He continued with Pas for the next seasons and became a fixed starter. He was one of club's main players in 2005 AFC Champions League season.

Al-Nasr

Shortly before the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Borhani signed for the UAE Pro League, Al Nasr. On 21 January 2007 Borhani signed back with his former team Pas after being released by Al Nasr due to unforeseen circumstances. Since signing back with Pas, within a period of five months, he has scored only twice, which has put him through the most difficult time in his career.

Esteghlal

Borhani had offers from Al-Ain of the UAE, Mouscron of the Belgian League, Vitória Setúbal of the Portuguese Liga, Denizlispor of the Süper Lig and Mes Kerman and Esteghlal of Iran's Premier Football League, though it was not known which offer Borhani was likely to accept. However, on 17 July 2007 Borhani signed a contract with the IPL giants Esteghlal. On 27 October Borhani scored his first hat-trick for Esteghlal in a 3–2 win over Paykan. Borhani again scored a hat-trick plus two against Pegah Gilan in the Hazfi Cup ending up with five goals, the game's final score being 8–1 in favor of Esteghlal. He became the top scorer in 2008–09 season with 21 goals. The next season, he scored 11 goals but missed so many chances during the final matches of the season. On 14 January 2013, he became Esteghlal's all-time top goal scorers after scoring against Mes Kerman, surprising Ali Jabbari. He was his team's top scorer at the 2012–13 season, which they won the Iran Pro League title. He extended his contract with the club for next two seasons on 1 July 2013. On 9 February 2014, Borhani scored his 100th goal for Esteghlal in a 2–0 win over Saipa. On 14 June 2014, Borhani signed a new contract with Esteghlal, keeping him until 2016.

File:Arash Borhani.jpg

Borhani playing for Esteghlal in 2013

Club career statistics

• Last update: 17 July 2018

Club performance			League		Cup		Continental		Total
Season	Club	League	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Iran			League		Hazfi Cup		Asia		Total
2002–03	Pas	Pro League	18	4	2	0	—		20	4
2003–04			24	12	0	0	—		24	12
2004–05			25	9	0	0	—		25	9
2005–06			27	8	0	0	7	4	34	12
United Arab Emirates			League		President's Cup		Asia		Total
2006–07	Al-Nasr	UAE League	7	1	2	2	—		9	3
Iran			League		Hazfi Cup		Asia		Total
2006–07	Pas	Pro League	11	2	0	0	—		11	2
2007–08	Esteghlal		31	8	6	4	—		37	12
2008–09			30	20	1	5	6	2	37	27
2009–10			29	11	1	3	6	0	36	14
2010–11			23	14	3	0	5	2	31	16
2011–12			30	8	4	0	8	5	42	13
2012–13			27	10	4	2	9	3	40	15
2013–14			21	5	3	0	5	1	29	6
2014–15			24	2	1	1	—		25	3
2015–16			14	2	2	0	—		16	2
2016–17	Paykan		5	0	0	0	—		5	0
Total	Iran		339	115	27	15	46	17	4101	1471
	United Arab Emirates		7	1	2	2	0	0	9	3
Career total			346	116	29	17	461	17	4191	1501

¹ Statistics Incomplete.

Assist Goals

Season	Team	Assists
05–06	Pas	4
06–07	Pas	1
07–08	Esteghlal	2
08–09	Esteghlal	2
09–10	Esteghlal	1
10–11	Esteghlal	3
11–12	Esteghlal	1
12–13	Esteghlal	2
13–14	Esteghlal	2
14–15	Esteghlal	3

International career

While playing for Pas Tehran, he was called to the Iran U-23 team for the 2004 Athens Olympics qualifications, where he had some good performances, including scoring four goals in two games versus Uzbekistan. Despite the talent on the team, the Iran U-23 team did not qualify for the 2004 Summer Olympics.

Around the same time he was called up to the Team Melli, where he scored some crucial goals, such as the tying goal versus Qatar in a 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification match. He was not a regular starter for the team, but he was among Iran's final squad for 2006 FIFA World Cup.

In November 2006, he once again joined Iran U-23 team to participate at the 2006 Asian Games. In the quarter-final match against China, Borhani held the ball short of the goal line and invited his teammates to approach after masterfully dribbling around the Chinese goalkeeper. He held that position for a few seconds before moving the ball over the line and then started running with joy towards the bench and celebrating with others. Later on he apologized for dishonoring the China U-23 team.

He was called up to the national squad by Iranian coach Ali Daei to play in 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC third round. He also played in 2011 AFC Asian Cup qualification for Team Melli.

International goals

Scores and results list Iran's goal tally first.

#	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	21 June 2004	Azadi Stadium, Tehran	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Syria	flag alias = Flag of the Syrian revolution.svg	flag alias-1932 = Flag of Syria (1932-1958; 1961-1963).svg	flag alias-1963 = Flag of Syria (1963–1972).svg	flag alias-1972 = Flag of Syria (1972-1980).svg	flag alias-1980 = Flag of the United Arab Republic (1958–1971), Flag of Syria (1980–2024).svg	flag alias-revolution = Flag of the Syrian revolution.svg	flag alias-navy = Flag of the Syrian Arab Navy.svg	link alias-navy = Syrian Navy	flag alias-naval = Flag of the Syrian Arab Navy.svg	link alias-naval = Syrian Navy	flag alias-air force = Flag of the Syrian Arab Air Force.svg	link alias-air force = Syrian Air Force	flag alias-army= Flag of the Syrian Arab Army.svg	link alias-army= Syrian Army	flag alias-military = Flag of the Syrian Arab Armed Forces (1980–2024).svg	link alias-military = Syrian Armed Forces	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	altvar = football	variant = }}||3–0||7–1||2004 WAFF
2	21 June 2004	Azadi Stadium, Tehran	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Syria	flag alias = Flag of the Syrian revolution.svg	flag alias-1932 = Flag of Syria (1932-1958; 1961-1963).svg	flag alias-1963 = Flag of Syria (1963–1972).svg	flag alias-1972 = Flag of Syria (1972-1980).svg	flag alias-1980 = Flag of the United Arab Republic (1958–1971), Flag of Syria (1980–2024).svg	flag alias-revolution = Flag of the Syrian revolution.svg	flag alias-navy = Flag of the Syrian Arab Navy.svg	link alias-navy = Syrian Navy	flag alias-naval = Flag of the Syrian Arab Navy.svg	link alias-naval = Syrian Navy	flag alias-air force = Flag of the Syrian Arab Air Force.svg	link alias-air force = Syrian Air Force	flag alias-army= Flag of the Syrian Arab Army.svg	link alias-army= Syrian Army	flag alias-military = Flag of the Syrian Arab Armed Forces (1980–2024).svg	link alias-military = Syrian Armed Forces	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	altvar = football	variant = }}||4–0||7–1||2004 WAFF
3	23 June 2004	Azadi Stadium, Tehran	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Iraq	flag alias = Flag of Iraq.svg	flag alias-1921 = Flag of the Arab Federation.svg	flag alias-1924 = Flag of Iraq (1924–1959).svg	flag alias-1958 = Flag of the Arab Federation.svg	flag alias-1959 = Flag of Iraq (1959–1963).svg	flag alias-1963 = Flag of Iraq (1963–1991); Flag of Syria (1963–1972).svg	flag alias-1991 = Flag of Iraq (1991–2004).svg	flag alias-2004 = Flag of Iraq (2004–2008).svg	flag alias-air force = Flag of the Iraqi Air Force.svg	link alias-air force = Iraqi Air Force	flag alias-army = Flag of the Iraqi Ground Forces.svg	link alias-army = Iraqi Ground Forces	flag alias-navy=Flag of the Iraqi Navy.svg	link alias-naval = Iraqi Navy	link alias-navy = Iraqi Navy	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = 1991 }}||2–1||2–1||2004 WAFF
4	25 June 2004	Azadi Stadium, Tehran	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Syria	flag alias = Flag of the Syrian revolution.svg	flag alias-1932 = Flag of Syria (1932-1958; 1961-1963).svg	flag alias-1963 = Flag of Syria (1963–1972).svg	flag alias-1972 = Flag of Syria (1972-1980).svg	flag alias-1980 = Flag of the United Arab Republic (1958–1971), Flag of Syria (1980–2024).svg	flag alias-revolution = Flag of the Syrian revolution.svg	flag alias-navy = Flag of the Syrian Arab Navy.svg	link alias-navy = Syrian Navy	flag alias-naval = Flag of the Syrian Arab Navy.svg	link alias-naval = Syrian Navy	flag alias-air force = Flag of the Syrian Arab Air Force.svg	link alias-air force = Syrian Air Force	flag alias-army= Flag of the Syrian Arab Army.svg	link alias-army= Syrian Army	flag alias-military = Flag of the Syrian Arab Armed Forces (1980–2024).svg	link alias-military = Syrian Armed Forces	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	altvar = football	variant = }}||3–1||4–1||2004 WAFF
5	9 October 2004	Khalifa International Stadium, Doha	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Qatar	flag alias = Flag of Qatar.svg	flag alias-air force = Air Force Ensign of Qatar.svg	link alias-air force = Qatar Emiri Air Force	link alias-naval = Qatari Emiri Navy	link alias-military = Qatar Armed Forces	link alias-army = Qatari Emiri Land Force	link alias-navy = Qatari Emiri Navy	flag alias-1860 = Flag of Qatar (1860–1916, 1916–1932).svg	flag alias-1916 = Flag of Qatar (1916).svg	flag alias-1932 = Flag of Qatar (1932–1936).svg	flag alias-1936 = Flag of Qatar (1936–1949).svg	flag alias-1949 = Flag of Qatar (1949–1971).svg	variant =	size =	name =	altlink = national football team }}||2–2||3–2||2006 WCQ
6	17 November 2004	Azadi Stadium, Tehran	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Laos	flag alias = Flag of Laos.svg	flag alias-colonial = Flag of Laos (1893-1952).svg	flag alias-1952 = Flag of Laos (1952-1975).svg	link alias-naval = Lao People's Navy	link alias-army = Lao People's Army	link alias-navy = Lao People's Navy	flag alias-military = Flag of the Lao People's Armed Forces.svg	link alias-military = Lao People's Armed Forces	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	altvar = football	variant = }}||6–0||7–0||2006 WCQ
7	2 February 2005	Azadi Stadium, Tehran	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Bosnia and Herzegovina	flag alias = Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svg	flag alias-1992 = Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina (1992–1998).svg	link alias-army = Bosnian Ground Forces	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = }}||2–1||2–1||Friendly
8	28 May 2006	Gradski Vrt Stadium, Osijek	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Croatia	flag alias = Flag of Croatia.svg	flag alias-civil = Civil Ensign of Croatia.svg	flag alias-1990 = Flag of Croatia (1990).svg	flag alias-naval = Naval ensign of Croatia.svg	link alias-naval = Croatian Navy	flag alias-air force = Flag of the Croatian Air Force.svg	link alias-air force = Croatian Air Force	link alias-military = Armed Forces of Croatia	flag alias-army = Flag of Croatian Army.svg	link alias-army = Croatian Army	flag alias-navy = Naval ensign of Croatia.svg	link alias-navy = Croatian Navy	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = }}||2–1||2–2||Friendly
9	2 January 2009	Azadi Stadium, Tehran	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = China	flag alias = Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg	flag alias-1862 = Flag of the Qing Dynasty (1862-1889).svg	border-1862 =	flag alias-1889 = Flag of the Qing Dynasty (1889-1912).svg	flag alias-Qing = Flag of the Qing Dynasty (1889-1912).svg	flag alias-1912 = Flag of China (1912–1928).svg	flag alias-1928 = Flag of the Republic of China.svg	flag alias-army-1949 = Flag of the People's Liberation Army.svg	flag alias-marines-1949 = Flag of the People's Liberation Army.svg	flag alias-navy-1949 = Flag of the People's Liberation Army.svg	flag alias-naval-1949 = Flag of the People's Liberation Army.svg	flag alias-air force-1949 = Flag of the People's Liberation Army.svg	flag alias-military = People's Liberation Army Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg	link alias-military = People's Liberation Army	flag alias-coast guard=Flag of China.svg	link alias-coast guard=China Coast Guard	flag alias-army = Ground Force Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg	link alias-army = People's Liberation Army Ground Force	flag alias-marines=Naval ensign of China.svg	link alias-marines=People's Liberation Army Navy Marine Corps	flag alias-navy = Naval ensign of China.svg	link alias-navy = People's Liberation Army Navy	flag alias-naval = Naval ensign of China.svg	link alias-naval = People's Liberation Army Navy	flag alias-air force = Air Force Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg	link alias-air force = People's Liberation Army Air Force	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	altvar = football	variant = }}||1–0||3–1||Friendly
10	12 August 2009	Asim Ferhatović Hase Stadium, Sarajevo	{{ Template:Yesno	alias = Bosnia and Herzegovina	flag alias = Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svg	flag alias-1992 = Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina (1992–1998).svg	link alias-army = Bosnian Ground Forces	size =	name =	altlink = national football team	variant = }}||2–2||3–2||Friendly

Honours

File:Arash Borhani 2013.jpg

Borhani after winning the 2012–13 season with Esteghlal

Club

Pas Tehran

• Iran Pro League (1): 2003–04

Esteghlal

• Iran Pro League (2): 2008–09, 2012–13
• Hazfi Cup (2): 2007–08, 2011–12

Country

• WAFF Championship (1): 2004

Individual

• Iran Pro League top goalscorer (1): 2008–09

External links

• Arash Borhani at PersianLeague.com
• Arash Borhani at TeamMelli.com
• Template:NFT player
• Borhani's goal in the 2006 Asian Games quarterfinals – from YouTube