Daei's Hat-Trick in Asian Games 1998

 A late hat trick by Bayern Munich center forward Ali Daei, ensured Iran a smooth passage into the 13^th Asian Games Semi-Final stage in Bangkok. The victory will mean yet another clash with China, whom Iran defeated 2-1 in the second round group matches.

 Iran started the game, with basically the same game plan and the players as with the last two matches. It was apparent that fatigue will play a vital role and mistakes by any side will be punished severely. Uzbekistan started the game in a good spirit and created some dangerous balls. The finishing touches were not up to the standard of their passing and their collective game.

 Ali Mousavi, the young Iranian forward, who plays with Estighlal Club of Tehran this year, scored Iran’s first goal in the first half, to the relief of the players and the coaches. The ball originated from a failed Uzbek attack, where Mohammedkhani very easily cut a through ball from the Uzbek attacker, took the ball a few meters forward, and with some intelligent thought and vision, he spotted Mousavi in a perfect position. Mousavi to his credit started a superb long run and received the ball easily outpacing the Uzbek defense. The goalkeeper came forward to intercept Mousavi, but the Gazelle like run of Sayyed Ali and his body movement, easily evaded and dribbled past the goalkeeper. Mousavi diagonal run eventually ended up with an open goal, which he could not have missed. Iran 1 Uzbekistan 0.

 The game never reached top gear apart from the very powerful shot from the Uzbek midfielder. Gholampour beautifully saved that shot over the bar. The game was concentrated around the midfield zone, with neither team committing themselves for an all out attack.

 The second half started with a similar rhythm, and all the Uzbek’s could manage was a long range shoot that hit the inside of the bar and bounced back off the goal line. Gholampour was stranded but lucky.

 Then came a period of absolute magic for Iran and a disaster for their opponent. Daei picked a stray ball from some 40 meters with two defenders shadowing him. While running towards the goal, he suddenly accelerated his run, which put him gorgeously past the defenders and in a perfect view of the goal. His shot just outside the 18 yards to the right of the goalkeeper, was a classic and instinctive forward goal.

 Minutes later,  Daei scored again, perhaps not a pretty one, nevertheless it signaled the complete surrender of the Uzbeks. Right after Iran’s third goal, Bagheri received a beautiful ball from Daei and had only the goalkeeper to beat from close range. The goalkeeper amazingly saved the ball.

 Daei scored again from a bouncing header to make it 4-0 and to complete his superb hat-trick.

 Iran performance was not a classic and that is not surprising. It is a great achievement for any team to have such a performance within a few days. Iran is playing a match every two days in a hot and humid environment. The coaches have realized this fact and they are cleverly instructing the player to economize.

 On Wednesday, Iran will meet China, who won against Turkmenistan by three clear goals. China will be without Coach Houghton and their best attacker Hao Haidong, who were both, dismissed by the referee in that match.