World Cup Qualification: Remarkable Iran Defeats Iraq
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran football team edged past Iraq 1-0 on Tuesday to finish as Group C winner in the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023.
The win completed a remarkable turnaround for Team Melli, who won all four of its matches following the resumption of the Asian Qualifiers and keeps the team on track for a third consecutive appearance at the FIFA World Cup Finals.
The pressure was definitely on the Iranian team, who needed victory to emerge group winner, and all eyes were on Sardar Azmoun and Mehdi Taremi who have been in fine form since the Asian Qualifiers resumed.
Iran's persistence was rewarded in the 35th minute at the Sheikh Ali bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Stadium, with captain Ehsan Hajsafi beating the offside trap on the left wing before sending the ball to a surging Azmoun to tap home the opening goal from close range.
Iran completed the group stage with 18 points. Iraq is second with 17 points.
Elsewhere, host Bahrain defeated Hong Kong 4-0 and finished in third place with 15 points.
