Iran gets late goal to shock arch-rival Iraq
Source: Agencies |
January 13, 2011, Thursday
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MIDFIELDER Iman Mobali scored a late winner as Iran came from a goal down to beat arch-rival and defending champion Iraq 2-1 in its opening Group D match at the Asian Cup on Tuesday in Qatar.
Uzbekistan beat Kuwait 2-1 yesterday to all but seal a place in the knockout round and end the Kuwaitis hopes of advancing.
Kuwait had the better chances in the Group A match but it was the Uzbeks who took the lead when Alexander Geynrikh was brought down outside the area in the 41st minute. Masim Shatskikh's free kick deflected off Azizbek Haydarov into the net.
Kuwait tied it in the 48th after Walied Ali was brought down in the area and Bader al-Mutwa slotted home the penalty. But Uzbekistan substitute Jasur Khasanov crossed to Server Djeparov for the winner in the 64th. Kuwait had several chances to equalize, including substitute's Ahmad Ajab's point-blank shot in the 81st that went over the net.
Meanwhile Iraq applied the early pressure and was rewarded in the 13th minute when striker Younis Mahmood headed home at the Al Rayyan stadium.
But Iran striker Gholam Reza Rezai scored an equalizer four minutes before the break and Mobali found the net with a free kick in the 84th minute after a foul by Iraq defender Samal Saeed.
It was a close, fast-paced match between the two Gulf neighbors, who have met five times in the Asian Cup.
"Every time these two teams meet in football, there's so much history and rivalry that it's difficult to have players focus on the game," Iranian coach Afshin Ghotbi said.
"Not only because it was Iran against Iraq. It was also the first match of the tournament and against the defending champion," Ghotbi said. "We tried hard to de-emphasize the result and focus on the way we want to play football."
Iraq dominated the first 30 minutes, but Iran rallied as the first half progressed and controlled much of the second half, enjoying plenty of possession.
"It was an exciting match and both teams worked very hard," Iraq coach Wolfgang Sidka said. "It was 50-50 (and) a good result for Iran. We have lost three points."
Ghotbi said Iran started the match under a lot of stress, but regrouped after equalizing and was better organized in the second half.
Uzbekistan beat Kuwait 2-1 yesterday to all but seal a place in the knockout round and end the Kuwaitis hopes of advancing.
Kuwait had the better chances in the Group A match but it was the Uzbeks who took the lead when Alexander Geynrikh was brought down outside the area in the 41st minute. Masim Shatskikh's free kick deflected off Azizbek Haydarov into the net.
Kuwait tied it in the 48th after Walied Ali was brought down in the area and Bader al-Mutwa slotted home the penalty. But Uzbekistan substitute Jasur Khasanov crossed to Server Djeparov for the winner in the 64th. Kuwait had several chances to equalize, including substitute's Ahmad Ajab's point-blank shot in the 81st that went over the net.
Meanwhile Iraq applied the early pressure and was rewarded in the 13th minute when striker Younis Mahmood headed home at the Al Rayyan stadium.
But Iran striker Gholam Reza Rezai scored an equalizer four minutes before the break and Mobali found the net with a free kick in the 84th minute after a foul by Iraq defender Samal Saeed.
It was a close, fast-paced match between the two Gulf neighbors, who have met five times in the Asian Cup.
"Every time these two teams meet in football, there's so much history and rivalry that it's difficult to have players focus on the game," Iranian coach Afshin Ghotbi said.
"Not only because it was Iran against Iraq. It was also the first match of the tournament and against the defending champion," Ghotbi said. "We tried hard to de-emphasize the result and focus on the way we want to play football."
Iraq dominated the first 30 minutes, but Iran rallied as the first half progressed and controlled much of the second half, enjoying plenty of possession.
"It was an exciting match and both teams worked very hard," Iraq coach Wolfgang Sidka said. "It was 50-50 (and) a good result for Iran. We have lost three points."
Ghotbi said Iran started the match under a lot of stress, but regrouped after equalizing and was better organized in the second half.
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