Tehran  - Iran has appointed Mohammad Mayelikohan as national football team coach in succession of Ali Daei, Iranian media reported on Tuesday.

The reports said the Iranian Football Federation (FFI) appointed Mayelikohan late Monday. Mayelikohan trained the national team 1995- 1997 and is currently coach of the Saipa Karaj club.

Daei had to leave after a 2-1 home defeat against Saudi Arabia in a World Cup qualifier on March 28 which left Iran with an uphill battle to qualify for the 2010 finals in South Africa.

Daei, the world's leading international scorer with 109 goals in 148 caps, was under severe criticism since his appointment in March 2008 for having constantly changed the team's formation without gaining satisfactory results.

Iran stands fourth in Group B with six points from five of eight games. South Korea have 11 points, North Korea 10 and Saudi Arabia 10 each while the United Arab Emirates are last with one point.

The top two teams qualify directly for the World Cup while the third-placed team goes through playoffs. Iran's final matches are away at North Korea and South Korea, and at home against the UAE. (dpa)