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PFDC - LAOS, The Iranian national team was able to overcome underdogs Laos by 7-0 in World Cup Qualifiers today. Ali Daei, Reza Enayati and Ebrahim Taghipour each scored a brace, while the 5th goal of the day was an owngoal by Laos.
Iran-coach Branko Ivankovic had to do without the servings of Rahman Rezaei and Mehdi Mahdavikia and replaced the foreign based couple by Zob Ahan players Taghipour and Rajabzadeh. Also Ferydoon Zandi's debut had to be postponed again, since the neccessary paperwork had not been finished in time. The Croatian also sacrificed a central midfield position and modified his usual 4-2-3-1 system, to a 4-1-3-2 system, with Reza Enayati supporting Iran's skipper Ali Daei upfront.
The white-clad guests immediatley took the initiative and pressed Laos deep into their own half. Already in the first minute, Enayati could have scoerd the opener after a good combination over the right side, but the Esteghlal Tehran striker failed to get his effort on target. Nine minutes later, veteran striker Daei did it better, when he got his foot to a good square-ball by Rajabzadeh, and opened the scoring.
The homeside almost equalized in minute 15, when Olympic team players Kaabi and Badaavi both misjudged high balls, but were fortunate as the striker headed the ball over the crossbar. Two minutes later, Enayati, Daei and Nikbakht perfectly combined in the box, but the latter's shot could be saved. However, again a minute later, Laos' keeper was chanceless, when Daei converted a penalty after Kaabi had been brought down in the penalty area.
Again Laos pushed forward and were close to score from a direct freekick, which Mirzapour could push over the bar. In minute 32, Enayati justified his lineup, when he beautifully headed in a perfect cross by the today convincing Hossein Kaabi. Iran, as expected, also dominated the rest of the first half, and deservingly scored the fourth goal five minutes to the break.
Javad Nekounam was able to go past a handful of Laos-defenders and then picked out the perfect pass, sending Karimi through on goal. The nimble playmaker immediately layed the ball square to Enayati, who had little problems finishing off. Iran could have grabbed a fifth goal three minutes later, but Nikbakht's header only shaved the post.
Second half started with a great chance for Laos, as a striker had the space to get his effort on target from close range, but the strong and secure Mirzapour was equal to the shot. However, Iran continued to pressure and created two dangerous opportunites, as Daei served Nikbakht, but the fast-paced left-footer's volley going wide (52') and Daei being brought down inside the box, however, winning no penalty for his side (53').
Finally the guests grabbed their fifth goal with the help of Laos's defence, as Karimi perfectly set up substitute Navidkia, whose shot could be saved but the rebound was tackeled into the goal by a defender. Not much happened in the coming 15 minutes, until Taghipour scored his first ever international goal, heading in a cross from the left side. A minute later Kaabi could have crowned his good performance by a goal, but he was unable to capitalize on a Karimi-pass.
After Mirzapour again saving Iran's meanwhile sloppy playing defence, Taghipour was able to score Iran's seventh and his second goal of the day with an awesome shot from long range. In the final minutes of the game, the spectators saw two more good scoring chances by Laos, but both times Mirzapour denied the strikers. But also Iran could have scored a couple of goals, as Daei sent Navidkia through twice, but the 21-year-old midfielder's shots going wide both times, and also Enayati failing to score his third goal of the day.
Laos - Iran 0-7 (0-4)
Wold Cup Qualifier, Group A
Goals:
1-0 Daei (10.)
2-0 Daei (18./Pen.)
3-0 Enayati (32.)
4-0 Enayati (40.)
5-0 Khounpilachan (55./OG.)
6-0 Taghipour (70.)
7-0 Taghipour (84.)
Iran played with:
Mirzapour - Kaabi (73. Amirabadi), Taghipour, Golmohammadi, Badaavi (79. Borhani) - Nekounam - Rajabzadeh (46. Navidkia), Karimi, Nikbakht - Enayati, Daei
Bookings: Taghipour
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