ABU DHABI (AFP) - Iran sank Vietnam and Iraq beat Yemen as the neighbours and arch-rivals powered into the Asian Cup round of 16 on Saturday (Jan 12) ahead of their highly anticipated group decider next week.
Sardar Azmoun struck both goals in Iran's 2-0 win in Abu Dhabi, while teenager Mohanad Ali's early solo strike kick-started Iraq's 3-0 victory in Sharjah.
Iran and Iraq will meet in Dubai on Wednesday to decide who tops Group D in a repeat of their combustible quarter-final of 2015, which Iraq won on penalties.
Iran, looking to end a 43-year title drought since last winning Asian football's most coveted prize, could have scored four or five but for some poor finishing in Abu Dhabi.
"It's a pity our performance didn't produce a couple more goals," Iran coach Carlos Queiroz told reporters.
"But winning is the best medicine in football. To win two games and score seven goals - I have to praise my players because I am very demanding."
Saman Ghoddos and Mehdi Taremi went close for Asia's top-ranked team before Azmoun rose to head home a Ghoddos cross after 38 minutes.
The Rubin Kazan forward lashed in his third goal of the tournament from the edge of the box 20 minutes from time to give Iran a record ninth successive first-round victory dating back to 2007.
Co-favourites with South Korea to lift the Asian Cup, Iran crushed war-torn Yemen 5-0 in their opening Group D game.
'A FINISHER'
They were indebted to goalkeeper Alireza Safar Beiranvand for a courageous save from Nguyen Cong Phuong, but were otherwise barely ruffled by the South-east Asian champions.
"We just need to relax more," said Queiroz. "In the second half our anxiety to score a third goal led to some bad passes."
Queiroz singled out Azmoun, who came out of international retirement for the Asian Cup.
"He's a finisher," said the Portuguese, now in his eighth year as Iran coach.
"We have high hopes for him for this competition. But the way the team is contributing around him, and our movement in the last third, are very interesting."
In Sharjah, 18-year-old Ali scored a wonderful solo goal to put Iraq 1-0 up after 11 minutes, although questions must be raised of the Yemeni defence.
Pouncing on a loose back pass, Ali held off three defenders before rifling his shot past Jalal Hassan in the Yemen goal.
Bashar Resan doubled Iraq's lead midway through the first half when his deflected shot drifted in off the upright with Hassan slow to get across.
Ali hit the post in one of the rare highlights of the second half before Alaa Abbas struck in injury time, finishing sharply after Ahmed Yaseen's header into his path.
Guardiola not worried about Man City players' social media use by BeSoccer @besoccer_com - 02 Feb 2019 0 672 Pep Guardiola is not concerned about the way his Manchester City players use social media, despite a post from Kyle Walker that appeared to mock Premier League title rivals Liverpool.
Guardiola not worried about Man City players' social media use
"We will go to Barcelona knowing we can score goals!" Solskjaer optimistic despite Man Utd defeat BT Sport. Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona) vs. Manchester United 1-0
Liverpool vs. Barcelona score: Reds pull off monumental
Manchester United have sacked Jose Mourinho after Sunday's defeat at Liverpool left the club 11 points adrift of the Premier League top four. A caretaker manager will be appointed until the
Bayern vs Liverpool: Reds won't sacrifice Champions League for Premier League, says Alisson. The Merseyside club, who face Bayern Munich in the Champions League later on Wednesday, are also in the
Maurizio Sarri condemns the alleged racist abuse of Raheem Sterling by Chelsea supporters but wants the club's main focus to be on Thursday's clash with Vidi. The Blues visit Budapest this week for their final Europa League group match, having already secured qualification to the last 32 in top spot.
Sarri condemns 'disgusting' abuse aimed at Sterling
British crash investigators on Tuesday launched an underwater operation to recover a body from the wreckage of the plane carrying Argentine footballer Emiliano Sala in the Channel. "We are attempting to recover the body. If we are successful, we will consider the feasibility of recovering the
Football: British rescuers launch bid to recover body from
Football: Singapore Premier League club Warriors barred from foreign hires by Ministry of Manpower for second time - The Straits Times SINGAPORE - For the second time in eight months, Singapore Premier League (SPL) club Warriors FC have had their work pass privileges suspended by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) for violating the Employment Act.
Ministry of Football Private Limited - 9,986 Photos - Sports
Alexis Sanchez and Romelu Lukaku must both take their opportunity to impress as an injury crisis cuts through Manchester United's squad, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says. Both players have struggled for
Injuries open way for Sanchez and Lukaku to shine for United
Football News -LONDON (AFP) - Willian insisted he had no intention of leaving Chelsea after his superb goal sealed a 2-1 win at home to Newcastle on Saturday (Jan 12).. Willian eager to stay
Willian eager to stay at Chelsea despite exit rumours - Pulse
This page contains the Peer review requests that are older than one month, have received no response in the last two weeks, are not signed, have become featured article or featured list candidates, or did not follow the "How to use this page" principles in some way.
The Nanyang Chronicle Vol 24 Issue 03 by Nanyang Chronicle
Spain court acquits former Barcelona president of money laundering Rosell, his wife and four others, were accused of "large-scale money laundering" of close to 20 million euros ($23 million) since 2006, relating to television rights and sponsorship deals in Brazil.
Spain court acquits former FC Barcelona president of money
Earlier, PSG condemned "Patrice Evra's homophobic insults aimed at us… on social media" after a bizarre spat in which Evra used the French word "pede", a derogatory term for homosexuals, to describe the Parisians. Nonetheless, the 37-year-old claimed his comments had been twisted by the French media.
Ex-United star denies homophobia after spat with PSG
0 comments:
Post a Comment