TEHRAN – Veteran midfielder Masoud Shojaei wrote his name into the Iran football record books as the first Iranian player who has represented the country in seven major tournaments.

With two minutes left to play in the match against Oman, Shojaei came off the bench to replace Sardar Azmoun.

Shojaei, 35, had not played for Team Melli in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup group stage, where the Persians defeated Yemen 5-0 and Vietnam 2-0 and played out a goalless draw against Iraq.

He was a member of Iran national football team in the 2007 AFC Asian Cup and has represented Team Melli in three more editions so far.

Shojaei was also a member of Iran national football team in the 2006 FIFA World Cup and has featured Team Melli in 2014 and 2018 World Cups.

He had previously registered a record as the only Iranian player who has played in three FIFA World Cups.

Reporting by Masoud Hossein