Iran moves towards a clash with host Korea

Asian Games Football tournament

8th October 2002

Defending Asian Games champions Iran overcame the loss of inspirational skipper Ali Daei to defeat Kuwait 1-0 and clinch a semi-final spot in Busan on Tuesday.

The Iranians' preparations were thrown into turmoil on the eve of the clash when captain Daei left the squad following the sudden death of his father at home in Iran.

But disruption to Iran's campaign proved to be minimal, as the 1998 winners recovered from a shaky start to turn in their best performance of the tournament.

Iran now face a daunting tie against hosts and tournament favourites South Korea, 1-0 winners over Bahrain in their quarter-final.

The winning goal for Iran came on 71 minutes, a wonderful curling free-kick from the edge of the area struck by Eman Mobali flying in past helpless Kuwaiti goalkeeper Shehab Al Kankune.

Iran's players, all wearing black ribbons on their shirts as a gesture of respect to Daei's family, reacted wildly to the goal and sprinted over to the touchline to mob substitutes and coaching staff.

Kuwait, silver medallists behind Iran in Bangkok four years ago, were unable to respond and in the final 20 minutes it was the Iranians who came closest to scoring again.

Moharram Navidikia squandered a clear scoring chance when after a silky Iranian build-up involving five players he found himself with time and space from six yards out, only to hook his shot wide.

Iran had nearly taken the lead on 67 minutes when striker Alireza Vahedinikbakht went round the goalkeeper wide on the left but was unable to get his on target from an acute angle.

Kuwait's best chance came in the first half. A powerful downward header from Abdullah Al-Fadli went through the legs of Iranian goalkeeper Ebrahim Mirzapour, who was forced to scramble the ball to safety just as it appeared to be rolling over the line.