Madanchi goal downs DPR Korea [VIDEO]

PFDC – DOHA, Thanks to an impressive individual effort by Mehrzad Madanchi late in first half, Iran deservingly downed North Korea 1-0 in the final game of the Qatar tourney.

After Qatar’s goalless draw against Mali, DPR Korea were already certain winners and Iran the certainly bottom placed team of the friendly tournament.

For the first time in this tournament Afshin Ghotbi used the strongest available starting lineup, only the slightly injured Hossein Kaebi had to be replaced by Khosro Heydari.

Iran had full control over the proceedings in first half, as DPR Korea, as usual, relied on a passive and destructive gameplan, mostly defending with eleven men in their own half or even the own defensive third.

As expected Iran had troubles to break through that defensive line, but on the other side also the counter attacks of the North Koreans remained harmless.

Iran could have taken the lead after 19 minutes, when Ehsan Hajsafi almost surprised Ri with a freekick, but the goalkeeper palmed over the bar.

Twelve minutes later Pejman Nouri should have broken the deadlock, but was unlucky that his shot came off the woodwork.

DPR’s first dangerous scene was a header by Hak, which narrowly sailed over the crossbar.

Two minutes from halftime Iran finally got the overdue lead, when Mehrzad Madanchi took on no less than five defenders, and with a combination of skill and luck managed to hold on to the ball and lob it over Ri to make it 1-0.

Team Melli could have been punished for sloppy defending less than a minute later, when after a throw-in noone was near to stop a cross from the left defensive side and Khosro Heydari lost the duel in the air at the far post, and the ball beat Mehdi Rahmati, but fortunately for Iran not the bar.

Iran should have doubled their lead early in second half, when Mohammad-Reza Khalatbari attacked over the right wing and found Karim Ansarifard in center, who had done well to get rid of his marker, but the 19-year-old striker hammered the ball wide of target.

This scene should be the only real scoring chance of a very poor second half full of mistakes on both sides. North Korea, who finally had to open up a bit, proved their inability to make the play and the deficits in creativity and only had shot on goal – a freekick in injury time, which was easily saved by today’s captain Rahmati.

Iran now will travel to Singapore for an Asian Cup qualifier on January 6.

Iran – DPR Korea 1-0 (1-0)

Goal: 1-0 Madanchi (43′)

Iran: Rahmati – K. Heydari, Aghili, Hosseini, Hajsafi – Teymourian, P. Nouri – Khalatbari (84′ Rezaei), Zanidpour, Madanchi – Ansarifard (70′ Meydavoudi)

Iranian players booked: Ansarifard, Madanchi