(Reuters) - Masoud Shojaei has been left out of coach Carlos Queiroz's squad for Iran's final World Cup qualifiers against South Korea and Syria after playing against an Israeli club. Iran does not recognise the state of Israel and bars its athletes from competing against participants from the country. Top of Group A in Asia, Iran have already qualified for next year's finals in Russia. Queiroz said he had included younger players in his squad but 33-year-old Shojaei and other excluded veterans remained part of his plans in the leadup to next year's finals. "However, it is not understandable and acceptable that Team Melli (still) get rewarded, as usual, with nothing but 'over promises and under deliveries'."

Source: The Star August 27, 2017 08:03 UTC