Mehr News – Iran sent the Lebanese packing with a 1-0 loss
in their second-leg qualifier of the 13th Asian Cup here Friday.
Veteran skipper Ali Daei headed home a well-flighted cross from left winger
Alireza Vahedi-Nikbakht in the 22nd, helping Iran take over once Group D
leader Jordan on goal difference.
Iran came close to the second two minutes into the injury time as Nikbakht
outjumped the Lebanese defender in the six-yard area to hit midfielder Hamed
Kavianpour’s diagonal cross against the near post.
Daei tied with the world’s top goalscorer Ferenc Pushkas from Hungary, who
netted 84 times in national games.
The Iranian striker squandered scoring opportunities in the Lebanon clash.
He sent out a superb pass from substitute Ali Samereh in the 65th minute,
headed a Nikbakht cross against the back side of Lebanon’s net four minutes
later, side-footed a rebound from close range off the woodwork on 73
minutes, and headed a delightful cross from Samereh wide above the crossbar
14 minutes form the time.
Midfielder Iman Mob’ali cupped his face in his hands in the 73rd minute when
his curling free-kick was bounced back by the post.
Iran’s Croat manager Branko Ivankovic and players in the dugout blamed
hoodoo as the diving Samereh’s header shaved the crossbar in the 84th
minute.
Hereunder come the latest group D results and standings (played, won, drawn,
lost, goals for, goals against, points):
Group D
Iran 5 4 0 1 13 5 12
Jordan 5 4 0 1 10 6 12
Lebanon 6 1 1 2 2 8 4
N. Korea 4 0 1 3 2 8 1
Results:
04/09/03: North Korea 0 Lebanon 1
05/09/03: Iran 4 Jordan 1
26/09/03: Jordan 3 Iran 2
17/10/03: Jordan 1 Lebanon 0
29/10/03: North Korea 1 Iran 3
03/11/03: Lebanon 1 North Korea 1
12/11/03: Lebanon 0 Jordan 2
12/11/03: Iran vs. North Korea (match abandoned due to crowd trouble after
60 minutes with Iran leading 1-0)
