The 23-year-old striker has already racked up 23 goals for IR Iran since making his debut against Montenegro in May 2014. 

That has put him in the top five of Team Melli's all-time goalscorers, helped by his great leaping ability and bursts of acceleration.

Born in the remote city of Gonbad-e Kavus in northeastern Iran, Azmoun was a volleyball star in his teenage years before landing a place at the Sepahan football academy in Isfahan.

He made a serious impact with IR Iran's youth teams between 2009 and 2013 and was snapped up by Russian club Rubin Kazan at the age of 17, becoming the first Iranian to play in the Russian Premier League. 

Azmoun stayed with the team despite reported interest from Arsenal and Liverpool, among others. He left for Russia's Rostov in 2015 before returning to Rubin Kazan two years later.

Kim, 28, was one of five players who played the full match in Korea Republic's 2-0 win over Honduras at Daegu Stadium on Monday. It was his first international match since January.

"I joined the national team with a mindset that I need to be alert at all times," Kim said. "Instead of saying we played good defence against Honduras, I want to say it was fortunate for us to have a clean sheet."

The friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Jeonju on Friday will be Korea Republic's last tuneup match at home before they fly to Austria on Sunday to set up their pre-2018 FIFA World Cup Russia camp.

Cenk Tosun, of English Premier League club Everton, fired a brace but Carlos Queiroz's team would have been pleased with their performance. 

IR Iran, Asia's top ranked team, suffered an early blow as Tosun fired Turkey ahead after just six minutes, beating Rouzbeh Cheshmi before unleashing a powerful shot which found the back of the net. 

IR Iran fought back, with Alireza Jahanbakhsh setting up Ehsan Haji Safi but his shot was saved by the Turkey goalkeeper.

The former Real Madrid head coach will lead his team into matches with Morocco, Spain and his native Portugal in the group phase of this summer’s tournament with the goal of taking the Iranians into the second round for the first time in the country’s history.

And the 65-year-old is confident his players will be fully focused on achieving that goal when they kick off their 2018 campaign in St. Petersburg against Morocco on June 15 despite stating his desire to end his seven-year stint with Iran.

The friendly was part of Saudi Arabia's preparations for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, where they will face hosts Russia in the tournament opener on June 14.

Saudi Arabia coach Juan Antonio Pizzi was pleased with his team's performance despite the defeat.

"In the second half we held our own against one of the best teams in the world," said Pizzi. "Although they are not in the World Cup, they have a great coach, an unparalleled history."

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