Road to the Finals: Iran’s record-equalling feat
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campaign a clear five points ahead of Jordan to ensure their participation in the AFC Asian Cup finals for a record-equalling 12th time.
Iran, joint holders of the AFC Asian Cup appearance record with Korea Republic who were spared the qualification round after finishing third at the 2007 tournament, began in style, hitting Singapore for a six without reply.
Mageed Gholamnejhad began the scoring for Team Melli two minutes before the interval and veteran Karim Bagheri made it 2-0 seven minutes into the restart.
Gholamreza Rezaei scored their third three minutes later while Mazyar Zare made it 4-0 in the 79th minute. Substitute Nori Mohammad slammed two in the 82nd and 83rd minutes to complete the rout.
Iran laboured to a goalless draw in Thailand before winning two of their next three games. They defeated Jordan 1-0, thanks to a Javad Nekounam strike at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran but lost by the same scoreline in Amman when Amer Deeb’s strike separated the two sides.
Afshin Ghotbi’s side downed three-time ASEAN champions Singapore 3-1 away with goals from Hadi Aghily, Mehrzad Madanchi and Gholamreza Rezaei. Mohd Noh Alam Shah reduced the deficit for Singapore.
The defeat of Singapore booked Iran’s ticket to Qatar but they still had a part to play in determining which of their three Group E opponents joined them, with the Jordanians earning the second berth thanks to their defeat of Singapore and the Iranians’ 1-0 win over a Thai side needing all three points to have any chance of qualification.
Javad Nekounam scored Iran’s winner against Thailand in the last minute.
