BEIRUT. Oct 9 (AFP) Aslan loo(ballcr-of-(he-year All Daei and a host of otlier Euro-stars will lead Iran's campaign to end 24 years of Asian Cup hurt at Lebanon 2000.

Daei. who plies his trade in the Bundesliga with Hertha Berlin, will be hoping to crown a glittering International career by leading Iran back to the pinnacle of Asian football.

The burly 31-year-old has been a linchpin of Iran’s renaissance in the past tour years — and is poised to play a crucial role as the Persian giants tackle Asia's finest.

"We are ready to prove that Iran are the best team in Asia." Dnei said. "Our results have been good for the past live years and we know we have the talent to win in Lebanon."

Iran face Thailand. Iraq and Lebanon in Group One and should progress safely Into the second phase.

Daei will be assisted by former Asian player of the year Khodadad Azizi and midfielder Karim Bagheri. both veterans of Iran's 1998 World Cup campaign which saw them memo-rablv defeat the United States 21*

Another veteran from the "mother of all football matches" i.s the mercurial Hamburg wingback Mehdi Mahdavikia.

the architect of the France 98 campaign — coach Jalal Talebl — Is also back at the helm after resigning in the wake ol the World Cup. Talebi was reappointed after Nassei Pourhcdarl was sacked earlier this year.

Victory’ in Lebanon would end more than two de< ades ol frustration in the Asian Cup for the Iranians, who dominated the tournament throughout the 1970s with victories In 1968, 1972 and 1976.

Political upheaval at the end ol the decade left Iranian lootball In turmoil, hut the sport remained a way of life in the Islamic state, with crowds ol 100.000 regularly packing Tehran's Azadi Stadium loi club matches.