FIFA World Cup: All eyes on Karimi, Trabelsi

New Delhi:

Ali Karimi is the 2004 Asian Player of the year and Iran's biggest star. The 'Wizard of Tehran' is set for a pivotal role at the 2006 World Cup finals with the potential to make a big splash on the world stage. Karimi's sublime technique reaped glorious dividends at the 2004 Asia Cup where Iran finished third and made the Iranian midfielder the undoubted choice as the King of Asia. Once a standout in the United Arab Emirates with Al Ahli club, the tall, technically gifted player has earned a healthy dose of respect in the Bundesliga where he started playing for Bayern Munich in 2005. And so, Ali Karimi's scintillating dribbling skills, his dynamic style and outrageous talent at the 2006 World Cup, will be something to look out for. Tunisia's Hatem Trabelsi Another player to watch out for is Hatem Trabelsi of Tunisia. The 28-year-old defender Hatem Trabelsi has represented Tunisia at the 1998 and 2002 World Cup finals and was part of their victorious 2004 African Cup of Nations line-up. It was a dream came true when he transferred to Dutch side Ajax for the 2001-2002 season where he's made regular additions to the trophy cabinet with wins in the Dutch Cup and the Eredivisie. Trabelsi will be invaluable to Tunisia in Germany. He's used to playing as part of a winning side when the pressure's on. And having started his career as a right-side forward, he's now the type of defender who knows how to play aggressively. His pace and ability to attack from deep in defence mean that Hatem Trabelsi will be a constant threat at the World Cup finals in 2006.