Team Melli shared the top of the table in Group A of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers 2018 after beating Uzbekistan 1-0 in the capital city of Tashkent. The lone goal of the game came from a header by Seyed Jalal Hosseini from an immaculate free kick by the rejuvenated Masoud Shojaei.

Iran and South Korea are both on 7 points after the third round of the qualifiers with Uzbekistan following closely on their heels with 6 points.

Queiroz , who must have been disappointed with the last two games of Team Melli made a major change in the starting line up. Dejagah , Azmoun , Teymourian were all benched, in their places Amiri, Taremi and Ghoochannejad started the match.

Despite the solidly built defensive team, Iran was in fact the side that took the initiative and for over 20 minutes attacked the host not allowing a single coordinated attack on Biravand goal in the process. Team Melli could very well have been 1-0 up in the first 15 minute except for the narrow miss by Ghoochannejad.

Before the half hour, Team Melli scored from a beautiful set play and an immaculate cross by  Masoud Shojaeui. The midfielder who was carrying the Captain’s armband for the first time , sent his perfect free kick from the left flank towards the box where Jalal Hosseini met it with a powerful header past the hapless Lobanov.

The first half ended 1-0 for Team Melli .

In the second , the home side took the initiative but all to no avail. Alireza Biranvand, excellent on crosses, hardly had any save to make during the half and the match for that matter. Iran’s defence marshalled by Hosseini and the excellent Pouraliganji was more than a handful for the Uzbek players who could not pass Go! The only question mark was the form of Milad Mohammadi who seemed to be uncertain and occasionally wild at some of his plays.

Carlos Queiroz introduced Azmoun , and Jahanbakhsh in the 2nd half and the duo’s substitution nearly produced a goal to increase Iran’s lead. Finally Teymourian was introduced to solidify the midfield defensive power.

It was an excellent performance by Team Melli. Much more slick ball movement and smoother touches while the number of fruitless crosses decreased significantly against the towering Uzbek defenders.

The next match at Azadi on Tuesday against South Korea will clarify the shape of the qualification.