Iran down Iraq in Olympic qualification [VIDEO]

PFDC – ARBIL, Mohsen Mosalman’s first half strike secured a vital away win over Iraq for Iran’s Olympic squad in the first leg of second round of qualification for London 2012.

Alireza Mansourian’s men had the better start into the game and were the more dangerous side, but Karim Ansarifard’s early effort from close range was saved while Mosalman’s shot from the edge of the box passed the wrong side of the post (27′).

On the other side, two dangerous shots missed target, before Mosalman broke the deadlock.

The Malavan Anzali playmaker played a perfect one-two with Hamidreza Aliasgari to find himself alone in front of goal and kept a cool head when he curled the ball into the near corner after 31 minutes.

Iran captain Ehsan Hajsafi failed to increase Iran’s lead seven minutes before the break, when his shot from outside the area was denied by the keeper.

Second half remained uneventful until minute 71, when rightback Milad Fakhredini, one of Iran’s best players today, broke through the defense but failed to crown the great counter with a goal.

Iraq then increased the pressure and were almost rewarded, but a beutiful shot bounced off the woodwork (79′) while Iran’s goalkeeper Hamed Lak saved a shot from close range (87′).

The two teams will meet again on Thursday for the return leg in Tehran.

The winner of the playoff will advance to the final stage of Olympic qualification which will take place from September 2011 to March 2012.

Iraq U23 – Iran U23 0-1 (0-1)
Olympic Qualifier, Round 2, Leg 1, Arbil

Goal: 0-1 Mohsen Mosalman (31′ / Assist by Hamidreza Aliasgari)

Iran’s lineup: Lak – Fakhreddini, Kor, Marzban, Hajsafi – Aghazamani, Rahmani – Aliasgari, Mosalman (89′ Kamyabinia), Afshin (80′ Daghaghele) – Ansarifard (95′ Jamaati)