Iran Defeats N. Korea in AFC Asian Qualifiers
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Iran staved off a fightback to secure a 3-2 win over North Korea in its AFC Asian Qualifiers -the Road to 26 Group A tie- at Lao National Stadium KM 16 on Thursday.
Iran was firmly in control after that and got the breakthrough in the 29th minute when Mehdi Taremi dropped deeper to pick up the ball before sending Mehdi Ghaedi through to sweep home past a stranded Kang.
Taremi once again showed his creativity with four minutes left in the first half, turning into space at the edge of the box before teeing up Mohammad Mohebbi for a rasping shot into the top corner.
North Korea’s defense was punished again in the 45th minute as Taremi picked up a hat trick of assists, finding Mohebbi for another unstoppable shot, this time to the bottom corner.
The complexion of the game changed five minutes into the second half when Shojae Khalilzadeh made a last man foul on Ri Go Juk, prompting referee Sadullo Gulmurodi to show a straight red card to the Iranian center-back.
North Korea took advantage to pull one back in the 56th minute when Taremi inadvertently steered Kang Kuk Chol’s cross past Beiranvand.
It became only a one-goal margin three minutes later when North Korea’s corner kick routine caught Iran’s defense out with Jang Kuk Chol’s header across goal bundled in by Kim Yu Song.
Iran will face Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday while North Korea take on Uzbekistan.