Iran overcomes Qatar in World Cup qualifying opener [VIDEO]

Persianfootball.com – TEHRAN, It wasn’t a glorious football match, but certainly a legendary one after two injury time goals helped Iran defeat Qatar 2-0 in the two team’s AFC World Cup qualifying round 4 opener.

Reza Ghoochannejhad made the most of a mistake by Qatar’s goalkeeper in the 94th minute before Alireza Jahanbakhsh added a second a few minutes later, to put the win beyond any doubt.

Iran lined up in their usual formation, with Alireza Beiranvand replacing Alireza Haghighi as number 1 in goal being the only small surprise.

Team Melli tried to control the match from the beginning, but lacked precision in their passing game and so Qatar got increasingly dangerous throughout the match on counter attacks, but barely created real danger out of them.

When everything seemed to end in a goalless draw – exactly like in the opener of the last World Cup qualifying campaign, Qatar’s goalkeeper hit the ball straight at substitute striker Karim Ansarifard.

The Panionios hitman managed to control the ball and lay it square to Reza Ghoochannejhad, who like in the return leg 2013 scored against the Persian Gulf country.

Turmoil broke out on the field immediately after the goal, with many reserve players involved, but with the help of the Iranian security guards the game could continue after a few minutes.

While Qatar hoped to cancel the Iranian lead, Alireza Jahanbakhsh dribbled towards center from the right wing and managed to score with a well-placed but not too powerful left-footed shot into the lower right corner.

Iran now lead the group after matchday 1 ahead of South Korea, who defeated China 3-2, and Uzbekistan, who beat Syria 1-0.

Carlos Queiroz’s men will now travel to China where they will play the second group game on Tuesday.

Iran – Qatar 2-0 (0-0)
AFC World Cup qualifying round 4, Azadi stadium, Tehran

Goals:
1-0 Reza Ghoochannejhad (94′ / assist by Karim Ansarifard)
2-0 Alireza Jahanbakhsh (98′ / Andranik Teymourian)

Iranian players booked: Dejagah, Rezaian

Iran’s lineup: Beiranvand – Rezaeian, Montazeri, Hosseini, Hajsafi – Ezatollahi, Teymourian – Jahanbakhsh, Dejagah (67′ Amiri), Taremi (76′ Ghoochannejhad) – Azmoun (85′ Ansarifard)

Match highlights: