FIFA - Deposed champions
Iran snatched the Asian Games football bronze medal on Thursday with a
1-0 extra-time win over Korea Republic.
The only goal of the play-off came with just six minutes left when Adel
Kolahkaj played a sweet one-two with Shic Khonakdar and then fired in a
fierce low left-footed drive past Kim Young Kwang in the Korean goal.
It was tough on Korea who had made most of the running in the match.
Chances were few in the first half and it wasn't until midway through
the second half that the game opened up.
The Koreans were unfortunate to be denied a penalty when Baek Ji Hoon
was crudely hauled back by Iran goalkeeper Hassan Roudbarian only for
Qatari referee Abdulrahman Abdou to wave away his appeals.
Kim Jin Kyu then had one shot diverted around the post by Roudbarian
before the same player missed the target from a similar angle.
As Iran wilted, Baek should have finished the tie when he was put clean
through on goal by Lee Chun Soo only to fire wastefully over the bar
with only the Iranian keeper to beat.
By the end of normal time, Iran had managed just three shots on goal.
Substitute Arash Borhani at least brought a save from Kim Young Kwang
early in extra time before Kolahkaj struck the decisive blow.
In the gold medal match on Friday, hosts Qatar will take on Iraq.
