A defender from Iran has transformed a simple throw-in into one of the most remarkable assists of the young Russian football season. He executed a forward somersault before delivering the ball into the penalty area for Spartak Kostroma.
Event Context
Mohammadi utilized the ball as he propelled himself into a forward flip, landing near the touchline before swiftly launching it into the penalty area. The throw sailed through the air, resembling a cross, and was met by Bugriyov’s head in the 83rd minute.
This impressive technique isn’t merely for show; Mohammadi honed his gymnastics skills for nearly a decade prior to becoming a professional footballer. He has mentioned that his gymnastics background greatly contributed to perfecting the somersault throw, which enables him to generate extra momentum and cover remarkable distances with his throw-ins.
One notable instance was when he executed another long throw from inside his own half against Persepolis, which also gained viral attention due to its remarkable distance. His growing reputation for long throws became so notable that, in 2021, Foolad was accused of modifying their pitch dimensions before a match against Paykan to mitigate the impact of his throws. The match commissioner stepped in before the game commenced.
Player Focus
Nader Mohammadi showcased his signature flip throw in Spartak’s 3-1 win against SKA-Khabarovsk in the Russian First League on Sunday, with Sergey Bugriyov heading the ball into the net for their third goal.
This assist was particularly noteworthy considering Mohammadi’s relatively short stint in Russian football. The 29-year-old midfielder joined Spartak Kostroma in late July, after spending the majority of his career in Iran. His appearance against SKA-Khabarovsk marked only his second league match for the club. Spartak had already seen a glimpse of his unique skill during his debut against Yenisey on August 1, but this time it led directly to a goal.
According to Mohammadi, he has generated over 10 goals throughout his career using this technique. Following Sunday’s match, Spartak’s head coach Roman Berezovsky indicated that they view the flip throw as a legitimate tactical asset rather than just a novelty. After witnessing Mohammadi’s capabilities in his first game, Spartak strategically placed players in the penalty area to capitalize on his throws against SKA.
The strategy proved effective. Mohammadi gained recognition in Iranian football prior to his move to Russia, particularly for a remarkable throw while playing for Paykan in 2020, which traveled straight toward the goal and found the back of the net after contact with goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi.
Team Analysis
For the first time, Mohammadi has brought his unique expertise beyond Iran, and he has quickly showcased his skills in just two appearances. This impressive performance suggests that Russian teams may soon need to consider a Spartak throw-in as seriously as they would a set-piece.
