Iran starts World Cup ambitions with 3-0 victory [VIDEO]

Queiroz’ men appeared in an expected 4-3-3 formation. Teraktorsazi left-back Ehsan Hajsafi and Esteghlal’s endurance runner Andranik Teymourian have been replaced by Mehrdad Pouladi and Ghasem Hadadifar.  

Saipa Karaj striker Karim Ansarifard was sidelined due to a yellow card suspension which he had received in the previous qualifying round against the Maldives.

As expected, Iran dominated the match against Indonesia. Nekounam (24’, 35’), Hadadifar (27’) and Mohammad Reza Khalatbari (31’) were close to score the go-ahead goal for a strongly playing Team Melli.  

Iran was clearly ruling the midfield area but both winger Gh. Rezaei and Khalatbari very often failed to break through the Indonesian wall or were prevented by the guest’s goalkeeper Markus.  

It took 53 minutes for almost 70,000 spectators at the Tehran Azadi Stadium until all die-hard fans of Team Melli could vent their emotions as Osasuna star and Iran captain Javad Nekounam scored the lead for Iran with a nice header from close range after a brilliant cross by Khosrow Heydari.  

Former Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz reacted on Iran’s rather weak play behaviour between the midfield and the offensive section and subbed in Teymourian for an unimpressive Hadadifar.  

The very same Teymourian played a brilliant cross to Nekounam who again netted the ball into the Indonesian goal with a strong header (72’).  

Mahini initiated the third goal of the Iranian national team after an ingenious one-two between him and Teymourian who just needed to put the ball into the net.  

Hajsafi also had a good chance to increase Iran’s score against a weak opponent three minutes into extra-time. His shot was saved by Markus who undeniably was the best Indonesian on the field today.

Later this evening, Bahrain and Qatar shared points as the Qataris held Bahrain in a goalless qualifyer in Manama. Qatar’s next qualifying match will be against Iran in Doha on next Tuesday.

IRAN – INDONESIA 3-0 (0-0)
2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifyer
Azadi Stadium, Tehran

Goals:
1-0 Javad Nekounam (53’ / assist by Heydari)
2-0 Javad Nekounam (72’ / assist by Teymourian)
3-0 Andranik Teymourian (87’ / assist by Mahini)  

IRAN: Rahmati – Heydari, Aghili, Hosseini, Pouladi – Hadadifar (70′ Teymourian), Ali Karimi, Nekounam – GH. Rezaei (62’ Mahini), Majidi, Khalatbari (63’ Hajsafi)