Iran Claim Qatar Friendly Win

MNA – A second half Ghomareza Rezaei strike gave Iran a 1-0 win over Qatar in a dour warm-up match for next week’s 2010 World Cup qualifiers.

It was Iran’s ninth win in 12 encounters against Qatar and stands Team Melli in good stead as they host UAE on November 19. Qatar are in action on the same day against Japan.

It was a low-key affair in Doha with few chances of note from either side.

Iran, missing their European-based stars, made more of the running.Making his first appearance for Iran for seven years, Karim Bagheri went close with a header in the first half.

But Ali Daei’s men were not able to break the deadlock until 16 minutes from time.

Majid Gholamnejad passed forward for Rezaei to fire the ball home.

Iran have four points from two games in Group Two of qualification while Qatar have the same number of points after having played one game more in Group One.

Qatar take on South Korea next weekend in another warm-up match.