AFC – Iran revived their hopes
of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2006 as they claimed an important 2-0
victory in their Group A match against Jordan at the Amman International
Stadium on Wednesday.
The Iranians left it late as substitute Alireza Vahedinikbakht and skipper
Ali Daei scored in the final 12 minutes to avenge a 1-0 loss to the same
opponents in Tehran in June. The margin of victory also gives the Iranians
the tiebreaker advantage in head-to-head meetings should the two teams
finish level on points at the end of this qualification stage.
Jordan have performed superbly under Egyptian coach Mahmoud Al Gohary and
went into the match three points ahead of their West Asian rivals. A full
house, including His Highness King Abdullah and Princess Rania, was present
to watch the proceedings which were dominated by the visitors.
With Vahid Hashemian and Khodadad Azizi returning to Team Melli after long
absences, the Iranians bossed the opening half against a Jordan side
employing Mahmoud Shelbaieh as a lone striker.
Branko Ivankovic’s side could have opened the scoring after 30 minutes when
Ali Daei’s powerful shot was denied by a sublime save by Jordanian
goalkeeper Amer Shafi.
The Iranian continued their efforts to try to unlock the Jordanian defence
after the break and their efforts finally paid off in the closing minutes.
Vahedinikbakht, who was playing in his first international match since being
sidelined by an injury that ruled him out of the Asian Cup, came on a
substitute for Azizi and made an impression as he opened the scoring in the
78th minute with a looping header past Amer Shafi to put his side ahead.
Jordan went close to a quick reply as Mahmoud Shelbaieh headed wide, but Ali
Daei sealed the victory for the Iranians when he beat Shafi with a powerful
header with just a minute remaining.
While Iran are still tied on points with Jordan, they now have their fate in
their own hands and can seal their place in the next round of the qualifiers
if they win their final Group 1 matches against Qatar and Laos.
In Wednesday’s other Group 1 game, Qatar kept their qualification hopes
alive with a comprehensive 6-1 win over minnows Laos in Vientianne.
The Qataris made the most of the early dismissal of Anoluck Sanasith as they
notched a half-dozen goals courtesy of Wesam Rizik, Mubarak Mostafa, Seyd
Bechir, Walid Hamza, Meshal Abdullah and Saad Sattam.
The only response for Laos came from Chanthalome Phutthadavong 10 minutes
from time.
Qatar could still advance to the next round if they manage victories at home
against both Iran and Jordan in their final group 1 matches.
FIFA World Cup 2006 Qualifiers
Group 1 results
Jordan 0 Iran 2
Laos 1 Qatar 6
