LIMASSOL – Ferydoon Zandi has moved to Cypriot club Apollon Limassol for the remainder of the season after a disappointing spell at TuS Koblenz saw the Germany-born midfielder dropped from Iran’s Asian Cup squad.

Called up to Team Melli by former coach Branko Ivankovic, the 27-year-old made two appearances during Iran’s 2006 World Cup campaign but was overlooked by current coach Amir Ghalenoei as the three-time continental champions won 2007 AFC Asian Cup qualifying Group B ahead of Korea Republic, Syria and Chinese Taipei.

However, the man who led Esteghlal to the 2005/06 title and a place in this year’s AFC Champions League, has not closed the door on Zandi and the former Kaiserslautern and Freiburg player could still force his way into the squad if he can impress at the reigning Cypriot champions.

Zandi is not short of Asian company at Apollon with no fewer than five Iraqis in the side that is currently under the helm of former Iraq and Oman national team coach Bernd Stange.

Among the Iraqis at the three-time Cyprus champions are Mahdi Karim, Mohammed Nasser, and Hawar Mohammed who scored in the Middle East side’s qualifying matches against China, Palestine and Singapore.

Iraq, who reached the quarter-finals of the last three Asian Cups, take on co-hosts Thailand, newcomers Australia and Oman in Group A of July’s continental finals while Iran, with or without Zandi, face Malaysia, Uzbekistan and China in Group C, which takes place in Kuala Lumpur. Sunday, January 07, 2007 at 4:24 PM