Iran, Bahrain renew acquaintances

AFC – Familiar adversaries Iran and Bahrain will meet again in a friendly match on August 26 as the two sides prepare for their respective 2010 World Cup qualifying openers on September 6.

The forthcoming game at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran will be their ninth ‘A’ international match since 2000 and is being used by the Iranians to get ready for the tough Group B opener away to Saudi Arabia while Bahrain kick-off their quest to qualify for South Africa 2010 when they entertain Japan.

Bahrain defeated Iran 1-0 when the two sides last met in a friendly in Manama back in March although Team Melli has the better record against their Arab opponents.

In the qualifiers for the 2006 World Cup, Iran held Bahrain to a goalless draw on the road before edging them 1-0 in Tehran in the return fixture.

The Iranians also defeated Bahrain 4-2 in the third-place play-off at the 2004 AFC Asian Cup in China, with current head coach Ali Daei scoring twice in the last ten minutes to seal the victory.