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PFDC - DOHA, Iran's
Olympic team looked like anything but title contenders as they defeated
the Maledives by 3-1 in their 2006 Asian Games opener on Wednesday
evening.
Iran of course dominated the proceedings throughout the game against the
lowly rated opposition, however, apart from defensive midfielder Maziar
Zare none of Brazilian coach Rene Simoes' players knew to convince.
Nevertheless, Iran took the lead after 17 minutes when Arash Borhani
headed home a cross from Behshad Yavarzadeh from close range.
A few minutes later Borhani could have scored a carbon copy of his first
goal, however, this time he headed Yavarzadeh's cross narrowly wide.
"Team Omid" finally doubled the lead in minute 22, when thanks to
Maledives' goalkeeper's only blunder today a Zare-freekick from far out
found it's way into the net.
Iran remained rather harmless for the rest of the first period, just
Mehrdad Oladi wasted one big scoring chance when he received the ball
inside the box but hit his shot straight at the keeper.
The Maledives almost pulled one back just moments into second half,
however, Fazeel couldn't keep his cool alone in front of goal and
hammered the ball over the crossbar. On the other side Mehrdad Oladi's
effort from the edge of the box could be saved.
Oladi missed another golden opportunity when he curved around the
goalkeeper, but had to see his effort from tight angle being blocked by
a defender.
Both sides appeared to be satisfied with the result until a terrible
blunder from Hassan Roudbarian, who failed to control a backpass by
Jalal Hosseini, allowed Ali to make it 1-2 in minute 78.
However, substitute midfielder Adel Kolahkaj restored the two-goal
advantage when he slotted the loose ball into the net after Maledives'
goalkeeper had parried a shot from Arash Borhani in minute 86.
Although Iran will surely be able to win their group even with such weak
performances, it's doubtful that even the semfinal stage can be reached
without an improved display by Simoes' boys.
Iran - Maledives 3-1 (2-0)
2006 Asian Games football tournament group stage, Doha
Goals:
1-0 Borhani (17' / Assist by Yavarzadeh)
2-0 Zare (22')
2-1 Ali (78')
3-1 Kolahkaj (86' / Borhani)
Bookings: S. Rezaei
Iran's lineup: Roudbarian - Arzani, S. Rezaei (46' Montazeri), Hosseini,
Akbari (76' Chahjouei) - K. Heydari, M. Zare, Mohammad Nouri, Yavarzadeh
(85' Kolahkaj) - Oladi, Borhani
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