PFDC - TEHRAN, Iran deservingly but disappointingly narrowly defeated Madagascar 1-0 in Carlos Queiroz' first official match at helm of Team Melli. The goal of the day in Tehran's Azadi stadium Sunday evening was scored by Jalal Hosseini in first half.
Queiroz, who opted for a 4-3-3, had to do without Mohammad-Reza Khalatbari (club committement) and Masoud Shojaei (injured) but also decided to leave Javad Nekounam and Andranik Teymourian on the bench.
Karimi in defensive midfield
The defense remained almost unchanged to Afshin Ghotbi's era, with Rahmati in goal, Heydari playing as rightback and Hajsafi as leftback. Only centrebacks Aghily and Hosseini again switched position and, like in Ali Daei's spell, Aghily played as left central defender.
In midfield, skipper Karimi played in an unusual central defensive midfield role with Baou and Nouri playing on his right and left.
Upfront, central striker Oladi was flanked by rightwinger Hadi Norouzi and Karim Ansarifard in an also slightly surprising leftwinger role.
Dangerous setpieces
Iran obviously were superior than the visitors in every department, however, barely managed to create real danger out of play.
Instead, Team Melli posed a serious thread from setpieces and indeed took the lead after a long Ehsan Hajsafi throw-in in minute 18', thanks to Jalal Hosseini's brilliant header.
Three minutes later Hadi Aghily almost doubled the lead when he vollied a Hajsafi cornerkick against the crossbar.
After two rather harmless shots from Mehrdad Oladi, the best chance for Iran came seconds before the halftime whistle when Karim Ansarifard sent Pejman Nouri through on goal but the Emirates club midfielder curling the ball past the keeper, but also past the post.
Good Hadadifar, bad finishing
Queiroz reacted and introduced three fresh players at halftime. Pouladi came on for Hajsafi and Daghighi replaced Oladi, serving as leftwinger instead of Ansarifard who from then on played as target striker.
The most important change, however, was the introduction of Zob Ahan playmaker Hadadifar instead of Baou, who overtook Karimi's holding midfield role and improved Iran's midfield display and the overall dominance significantly.
Eight minutes into second half, Hadadifar inscened Pouladi with a perfect throughball, who found Ansarifard in center, but the Saipa striker's shot came of the underside of the crossbar and bounced off the goalline.
Iran kept the chanceless opposition under pressure, but still lacked precision in the attacking third and coolness in front of goal, such as Ansarifard in minute 90. The youngster, after a good pass from substitute Mohammad Ghazi, found himself unmarked inside the area but smacked the ball over the bar.
Harmless Madagascar had their only chance of the game in the 88th minute, when a striker penetrated the box from the right after a counter attack, but curled the ball wide of target.
Iran will host the Maledives in World Cup qualifcation on July 23 in Tehran (19:30 local time). The return leg in Male will take place five days later.
Iran - Madagascar 1-0 (1-0)
Friendly match, Tehran, Azadi stadium
Goal: Jalal Hosseini (18' / Assist by Ehsan Hajsafi)
Iran: Rahmati - Heydari, Hosseini, Aghily, Hajsafi (46' Pouladi) - Baou (46' Hadadifar), Karimi (69' M. Zare), P. Nouri (83' Ghazi) - H. Norouzi (69' Mahini), Oladi (46' Daghighi), Ansarifard