German daily slams Mahdavikia's performance at Eintracht Frankfurt

IRNA - The Frankfurter Rundschau newspaper on Thursday harshly criticized the weak performance of Iranian national skipper Mehdi Mahdavikia at Eintracht Frankfurt.

The Frankfurt-based daily stressed Mahdavikia's play as a defender "has not been very convincing".

It raised the question whether the 30-year-old former Hamburger SV footballer was even "suitable to play on defense".

Meanwhile, Mahdavikia admitted he has yet to justify his signing with Eintracht Frankfurt.

"I have to get better, much better. I can do better, much better," the soft-spoken player was quoted as saying.

Reacting to Mahdavikia's comments, the Frankfurter Rundschau made clear Asia's Player of the Year 2003 has yet to back up his words by actions.

Mahdavikia inked a three-year deal with Frankfurt in June after playing eight years in Hamburg where he was a crowd favorite.

He arrived in Germany in 1999 to play for VfL Bochum, but moved to Hamburger SV after Bochum were relegated from the first Bundesliga league division.

Eintracht Frankfurt are currently ranked fourth with seven points out of four games.