Well, maybe the title’s a bit ambitious. But come Saturday, Team Melli fans can judge for themselves whether they need to book tickets for 2010, as they will finally get their first peek in months of the Iranian football (soccer) team at full strength. Team Melli will take on Saudia Arabia in Riyadh in a crucial World Cup qualifying match.

Full of fresh faces and old favorites alike, recently-appointed coach Ali Daei has the not-so-enviable task of fulfilling the lofty expectations of Iranian football fans and defeating one of Asia’s powerhouses in their own hot, humid capital. Can he do it?

Well, if there’s anybody who knows Iranian football, it’s Iran’s very own Shahriar, and FIFA’s all-time leading goalscorer (109 international goals in 148 appearances). But his rise to the top of Team Melli has come not long after damaging accusations of governmental influence in the Iranian Football Federation, an arguably weak training schedule due to mass cancellations of friendlies (almost certainly because of politics), and most importantly, a number of weak showings in recent matches.

Additionally, Ali Daei has chosen not to call up a few of Iran’s most beloved football stars, most notably Mehdi Mahdavikia and Ali Karimi, the latter of whom even had personal requests made on his behalf by President Ahmadinejad, an avid football enthusiast.

And Iran’s schedule doesn’t get much easier. It’s subsequent World Cup qualifying matches involve the resilient U.A.E., a surprisingly strong North Korea side, and one of Asia’s perennial favorites, South Korea. A strong start is essential for Team Melli.

Excited? Well, even if you aren’t, you can catch the game at Iran Football Online, one of a number of websites that offer free showings of Iran’s matches (albeit not with the best quality). Or you can simply watch it on Jam-e Jan if you have Iranian satellite. Kickoff is at 12:15pm Pacific Time.

-Kevin