Iran defeat chanceless Maldives [VIDEO]

PFDC – TEHRAN, Iran scored a comfortable 4-0 win over a helpless Maldives in the first leg of AFC World Cup qualification round 2, but could have scored another dozen had they been more concentrated in front of goal.

The Maldives held on to a good result with luck and permanent grass rolling and obviously will pose no threat in the return leg on in Male on Thursday.

Iran, again starting in a 4-3-3 formation, took an early lead through Karim Ansarifard who tapped the ball in from close range after a Mohammad-Reza Khalatbari cross from the left.

Carlos Queiroz’ men had a half dozen further excellent scoring opportunities still before the break, but were too sloppy in front of goal.

Iran increased tempo and pressure in second half and the visitors soon got exhausted and were lucky not to suffer a thrashing like the legendary 0-17 in 1997.

The homeside, meanwhile playing a 4-2-4, launched wave after wave of attacks on the Maldives’ goal and in several periods create chances in minute cycles.

Ansarifard doubled the lead when he got his foot to an attempted clearance after a Hadi Aghily cross and the ball just crossed the line before a defender could hit the ball away (62′).

In minute 68, skipper Ali Karimi scored Iran’s third, when he headed home a corner kick from the superb Khalatbari.

Substitute striker Saeid Daghighi added a very much overdue fourth goal when he got to the end of Ansarifard’s serving from the right at the far post, four minutes from time.

Should Iran take the return leg seriously and improve their effectiveness, Iranian fans could experience a real goal festival.

Iran – Maldives 4-0 (1-0)
2014 World Cup qualification Round 2, Tehran, Azadi stadium

Goals:
1-0 Karim Ansarifard (4′ / assist by Mohammad-Reza Khalatbari)
2-0 Karim Ansarifard (62′ / Hadi Aghily)
3-0 Ali Karimi (68′ / Mohammad-Reza Khalatbari)
4-0 Saeid Daghighi (86′ / Karim Ansarifard)

Iran: Rahmati – K. Heydari, Aghily, Hosseini Pouladi (62′ Hajsafi) – Karimi, M. Zare (61′ Ghazi), Hadadifar – H. Norouzi (82′ Daghighi), Ansarifard, Khalatbari

Iranian players booked: Ansarifard, Zare, Karimi