Iran crushes Bahrain in WAFF opener [VIDEO]

With Javad Nekounam and Masoud Shojaei as well as Mohammad-Reza Khalatbari missing the WAFF tournament, Afshin Ghotbi had to change the new 4-3-3 formation to the common 4-2-3-1. Perspolis striker Gholamreza Rezaei also missed the match due to injury.

Iran assumed control of the match from the beginning and played attractive football. Sepahan defender Hadi Aghily added his name to the scoresheet in the 39th minute with a header after Iman Mobali’s nice freekick.

The successful duo struck again in the 41st minute when Aghily again profited from a nice Mobali cross, this time from a corner kick. His header found an empty goal after a weak performance of the Bahrain goalie.

Malavan Anzali striker Mehrdad Oladi sealed the deal for the Iranians two minutes after the halftime break when he beat the keeper from tight angle after Ehsan Hajsafi’s header had sent him through on goal. 

Bahrain coach Josef Hickersberger had no suitable idea to calm the attack-minded Iranians. Afshin Ghotbi’s men had good opportunities to extend the well-deserved lead but Iran went down a gear in second half.

A Mobali freekick hit the crossbar in the 53rd minute and Mohammad Nouri vollied the ball over the target from close range in the final minute of the game.

Iran plays Oman on Tuesday in Group A. On Sunday, Oman will entertain Bahrain. The winner of the three groups and the best runner-up will advance to the semifinal stage.

In the other game on the opening day, hosts Jordan and Syria played out a 1-1 draw in Group B.

Iran – Bahrain 3-0 (2-0)
WAFF Championship, King Abdullah Stadium, Amman

Iran: Rahmati – Nosrati (75′ Omranzadeh), Aghily, Hosseini, Hajsafi – Teymourian (65′ M. Nouri), P. Nouri (75′ Meydavoudi) – Heydari, Mobali, Zanidpour – Oladi

Goals:
1-0 Aghili (39′ / assist by Mobali)
2-0 Aghili (41′ / Mobali)
3-0 Oladi (47′ / Hajsafi)

Iranian players booked: Nosrati, Teymourian, P. Nouri, Hajsafi

You can view the goals on irangoals.com.