Coach : Amir GHALENOEI
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Iran's preparations for their AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Chinese Taipei were given a boost with a 2-0 victory over Iraq at King Abdullah Stadium in Amman on Wednesday.
AMMAN - Iran's preparations for their AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Chinese Taipei were given a boost with a 2-0 victory over Iraq at King Abdullah Stadium in Amman on Wednesday.
The game, the first of two friendlies on the LG Peace Tour 2006 with the next match taking place on Friday between host nation Jordan and Iran, was settled by goals in either half from Sheis Rezaei and Mehdi Rajabzade.
Iran coach Amir Gholenoei fielded a team of domestic-based players with the exception of Andranik Teymourian, who recently moved to Premiership side Bolton.
His Iraq counterpart Akram Salman also missed several key men with Hawar Mulla Mohammed, Qusai Munir, Nashat Akram, first choice goalkeeper Noor Sabri and Younis Mohammed all absent.
Iran had the upper hand in the early stages of the game and took the lead in the 23rd minute when Rezaei took advantage of a defensive error from Jasim Haji, who failed to clear a free-kick, to tap home from just three yards out.
Iraq improved after the interval but were unable to find an equaliser and the Iranians settled the game in the 69th minute after Rajabzade powered a 30-yard bullet into the bottom right corner.
Iraq will now travel to Al Ain where they will play Singapore in the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers next Wednesday, while Iran will remain in the Jordanian capital for Friday's match before their qualifier in Taipei next week. |