Iran defeat Iraq in Asian Cup dress rehearsal [VIDEO]

Persianfootball.com – SYDNEY, Iran scored a moral boosting 1-0 win over fellow AFC Asian Cup participants Iraq in the final tune-up ahead of the tournament, thanks to a moment of brilliance from super talent Sardar Azmoun.

Surprisingly Carlos Queiroz didn’t use the only second and final regular friendly match since the World Cup to fine-tune his best 11, but, with the exception of returnee Mehrdad Pouladi, only fielded players which will most likely will find themselves on the bench when Iran will kick off their Asian Cup campaign versus Bahrain next Sunday.

Iraq had the bigger share of the game in first half, but despite facing a completely revamped and initially shaky Iranian defensive line – with full-back Hashem Beikzadeh and defensive midfielder Morteza Pouraliganji in central defense) – they failed to create serious danger for Alireza Beiranvand in Iran’s goal.

And it was Team Melli, who came very close to breaking the deadlock before the break twice.

Debutant Vahid Amiri should definitely have done better inside the area than smashing the ball over the bar, after being set up by Sardar Azmoun following a good counter attack.

Amiri then set up the second big chance with a good solo run down the left side before taking a shot on goal, which was dropped by the keeper, but Vouria Ghafouri somehow managed to shoot the rebound from close range over the open goal.

Iran then participated more actively in the match after the break and was rewarded, when Amiri headed an Iraqi goalkick forward and Karim Ansarifard let the ball through to Azmoun. The Rubin Kazan striker dribbled past the last defender with ease before comfortabely beating the keeper with a well placed shot to make it 1-0 for Iran.

Iraq almost immediately responded when being awarded a questionable penalty kick after an alledged foul or hands from Mehrdad Pouladi, but clubless veteran striker Younis Mahmoud chipped the ball over the crossbar.

Mahmoud came close again a few minutes later and was very unlucky that his effort from close range came off the goalpost.

Amiri should have doubled the Iranian lead in injury time when finding himself one on one with the goalkeeper thanks to a great throughball by substitute striker Reza Ghoochannejhad, but lobbed the ball narrowly over the crossbar.

It was the final scoring chance of the match which ended with a not undeserved 1-0 win for Team Melli, who will now enter the continental showpiece on a high and continues Iraq’s dismal record from 2014, when they weren’t able to win a single game.

Iran – Iraq 1-0 (0-0)
Friendly match, Sydney

Iran: Beiranvand (60′ Forouzan) – Rezaeian, Beikzadeh, Pouraliganji, Pouladi – Ebrahimi (82′ Nekounam) – Ghafouri (68′ Jahanbakhsh), Rafiei (68′ Teymourian), Ansarifard (78′ Dejagah), Amiri – Azmoun (74′ Ghoochannejhad)

Goal: 1-0 Sardar Azmoun (58′ / assist by Vahid Amiri)

Iranian players booked: Azmoun

Azmoun’s goal from Asian Soccer HD on YouTube: