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PFDC - TEHRAN, Iran booked a never endangered
4-0 home victory against Chinese Taipei in the first Asian Cup 2007
qualifier in Azadi stadium on Wednesday afternoon. Poor finishing as
well as lack of precision in passes and crosses prevented Iran from
scoring more than four goals in match with 78% possession for the home
side.
Without the five European based stars and the injured standard
goalkeeper Ebrahim Mirzapour, Iran coach Branko Ivankovic arranged his
team in a 4-2-2-2 system ahead of Esteghlal Tehran goalkeeper Vahid
Talebloo.
While the wingbacks Kaabi and Zare pushed forward when Iran was in
possession and left centerhalfs Nosrati and Golmohammadi on their own in
defense, Nekounam and Alavi were responsible for the build-up in
midfield. Jabbari and Teymourian built the offensive midfield and were
supposed to feed the strikers Daei and Khatibi. Teymorian often came
over the right wing whereas Jabbari mostly stayed in the center, which
resulted in Iran attacking more over the right side in the first period.
Iran of course dominated the proceedings from the start, while Chinese
Taipei barely sent more than one or two players forward and defended
with eight or nine players in and around the own penalty area. Iran
especially troubled the guests by crosses, however, the providings often
lacked quality and numerous chances were wasted easily.
So it took Iran 36 minutes before Andranik Teymourian broke the deadlock
by his first goal ever for Team Melli. The today well performing
Aboumoslem midfielder perfectly controlled a Jabbari-cross before
slotting home from close range.
Iran was close to doubling the lead three times in the remaining minutes
of the first half, but first Khatibi's volley from inside the area went
over the bar (40'), a Daei header bounced back off the crossbar (42')
and Nosrati's header two minutes later was denied by the goalpost.
Madanchi makes the difference in second half
Ivankovic decided to replace Mohammad Alavi by leftwinger Mehrzad
Madanchi after the break, changing to a 4-1-3-2 system which obviously
sparkled Iran's left side.
Only four minutes into the second half Madanchi made his way through
midfield and found himself alone in front of goal after a beautiful
one-two with Ali Daei. The Persepolis winger kept a cool head and made
it 2-0.
Just a minute later Daei perfectly inscened Khatibi in front of goal,
but the Sepahan man failed to get his shot on target. Two Daei-headers,
a Nekounam-shot and eleven minutes later Iran's best combination of the
day resulted in the third goal.
Via Golmohammadi, Teymourian and Jabbari the ball came to Khatibi, the
latter laying the ball square to Madanchi inside the box, who made it
3-0.
Iran then laid back for a while, before Jabbari and Nekounam wasted
further chances in minute 74.
Ten minutes from time substitute Kazemian found fellow substitute
Akbarpour in promising position, but the youngster from Esteghlal pulled
off a very poor effort. Two minutes later the same couple combined
again, but as before Akbarpour failed to convert Kazemian's great
service.
Finally skipper Ali Daei managed to add his name to the scoresheet as
well in minute 83. Nekounam had opened up play by a good long pass to
Madanchi on the left wing, who's cross found Daei on the far post, the
goalgetter having little problems to mark his 108th international goal.
Daei once more had shown all but a sparkling performance, but yet
underlined his efficiency by booking one goal and one assist.
In the other match of Group 2, South Korea managed to hold on to a 2-1
away victory over Syria, despite heavy second half resistance by the
hosts.
Iran's next match will be the friendly against Costa Rica in Tehran on
March 1.
Iran - Chinese Taipei 4-0 (1-0)
Goals:
1-0 Teymourian (36')
2-0 Madanchi (49')
3-0 Madanchi (61')
4-0 Daei (83')
Iran played with: Talebloo - Kaabi, Golmohammadi, Nosrati, Zare -
Nekounam, Alavi (46' Madanchi) - Teymourian (76' Kazemian), Jabbari -
Khatibi (66' Akbarpour), Daei
Iranian players booked: none
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