Jahanbakhsh delighted to give fans Nowruz cheer

AFC – TEHRAN, Alireza Jahanbakhsh was delighted to send Islamic Republic of Iran fans home happy after the Group A table-toppers secured a narrow 1-0 win over China on Tuesday to maintain a four-point lead over second-placed Korea Republic in the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 Asian Qualifiers campaign.

A crowd of more than 78,000 turned out at Azadi Stadium as Mehdi Taremi followed up his solitary strike against Qatar in Doha last week with another shortly after half-time as Iran secured back-to-back 1-0 wins to maintain their unbeaten run in Group A.

Carlos Queiroz’s team have now won three from three at their imposing home venue and with two of their remaining three games to be played in Tehran, the odds of Team Melli reaching a fifth FIFA World Cup are stacked in their favour.

“We created so many chances but unfortunately we only scored one goal,” said Jahanbakhsh, who plays for Dutch Eredivisie side AZ Alkmaar. “But 1-0 is also three points and we’re very happy about that.”

Iran is currently in the midst of Nowruz, the country’s New Year festival and most widely celebrated holiday.

Prior to kick-off there had been doubts on the size of the crowd, but once more Azadi Stadium was packed to the rafters to witness another win as Iran continued their record of having not conceded in Group A.

“They were unbelievably great today to give us that support during Nowruz,” added Jahanbakhsh.

“They came out to support us and I think with these three points they will go back happy and that’s all that matters to us.”

China had gone into the match on the back of a surprise 1-0 win over Korea Republic on Matchday Six, a result that benefited the Iranians and displayed the early progress being made under Italian tactician Marcello Lippi.

The pair had previously played out a scoreless draw in Shenyang last September, although the sides’ fortunes had gone in opposite directions since, with the East Asians failing to record a win until Thursday’s defeat of the Koreans.

“They did a good job and I think, compared to the game we played there, they were better,” said Jahanbakhsh. “They played well and they tried to create some chances.”

Photos: Lagardère Sports