* Ghoochannejhad’s goal boosts Iran’s campaign

* No celebration yet, says assistant coach

* Qatar’s hopes all but over after narrow defeat

June 4 (Reuters) – Iran got their World Cup qualifying campaign back on track after Reza Ghoochannejhad’s 66th-minute strike gave them a 1-0 win against Qatar at Doha’s Al Sadd Stadium on Tuesday.

Carlos Quiroz’s team stay third in Group A on 10 points from six games, a point behind second-placed Uzbekistan and leaders South Korea, who drew 1-1 with bottom side Lebanon in Beirut.

“We will not celebrate as we have still two matches remaining,” Iran’s assistant coach Antonio Simoes said.

“We have achieved an important three points and a good victory and I want to thank the players who followed the tactics and this helped us to get a positive result.”

The defeat all but ended Qatar’s hopes of a first World Cup finals appearance as they are now three points behind Iran and have only one game left away to Uzbekistan.

The top two from the group qualify directly for next year’s finals in Brazil, while the third-placed team will still be in with a chance of joining them via the playoffs.

There was little goalmouth action in the early stages in Doha with Mojtaba Jabari’s 21st-minute effort for Iran from the edge of the box presenting the first goalkeeping test.

The hosts maiden opportunity came when Ibrahim Khalfan rolled the ball to Hasan al Haydos but his effort hit the bar.

Qatar keeper Qasem Burhan then made two outstanding saves, tipping Masoud Soleimani Shojaei’s curling free-kick over the bar and beating out Ghoochannejhad’s point-blank header with one hand while moving in the other direction.

The second half was more physical and Iran’s sustained pressure eventually paid off when a defensive error sent the ball to Ghoochannejhad who scored past the advancing Burhan.

Iran could have doubled their lead in the 79th minute but this time Ghoochannejhad could not beat Burhan who charged out of the box, earning himself a yellow card for a foul on the forward but denying the visitors another goal.

Qatar coach Fahad Thani said a draw would have been fair, adding: “Iran were physically strong and were good in defence. We played well but didn’t take advantage of the chances we had as we were without the player who could finish those chances.

QATAR 0 – 1 IRAN

AFC.COM

Reza Ghoochannejhad strengthened Iran’s hopes of securing a fourth appearance at the FIFA World Cup finals with the only goal of the game as Carlos Queiroz’s side saw off Qatar at Al Sadd Stadium on Tuesday.

Ghoochannejhad’s 66th minute strike (pictured) earned the Iranians all three points and moves them on to 10 points from six games while Qatar’s chances of reaching Brazil 2014 suffered a blow.

Fahad Thani’s side are three points adrift of the Iranians in fourth place in Group A with just one game remaining while Iran have a game in hand over the Qataris. The top two nations qualify automatically for the finals while the third place side in the group progresses to a playoff.

“We deserved to win today as we played well which helped us to get three important points. We took advantage of our good preparations and the team had a good show in the match today,” said Iran assistant coach Antonio Simoes.

“We will not celebrate as we have still two matches remaining. We have achieved an important three points and a good victory and I want to thank the players who followed the tactics and this helped us to get a positive result.”

Sebastian Soria was not available for the home side after picking up a suspension and the Qataris missed the Uruguay-born forward’s presence in attack, despite the enthusiasm and positive running of former AFC Player of the Year Khalfan Ibrahim.

After a tepid opening 30 minutes, Qatar were just inches away from taking the lead when Ibrahim slipped the ball into the path of Hasan Al Haydos, but his shot came back off the woodwork with Rahman Ahmadi beaten.

Qatar monopolised possession but had little to show for their time with the ball and, in the dying minutes of the half, Iran twice went close to taking the lead.

With three minutes left in the period, Masoud Shojaei’s free kick almost caught out Qusam Burhan, only for the goalkeeper to readjust his positioning as the ball swung towards goal to tip the ball to safety.

The resultant corner led to Ghoochannejhad stealing in at the far post to head goalward, only for Burhan to pull off a fine save to deny the Standard Liege forward.

Iran’s ascendancy in the dying minutes of the first half continued into the second half and, by the 66th minute, the three-time Asian champions had taken the lead when Queiroz’s team took advantage of a defensive error.

Ghoochannejhad was on hand to capitalise when the ball ricocheted off Ibrahim Abdulmajed and into the path of the forward, who made no mistake as he slotted the ball calmly beyond Burhan’s reach.

Qatar grew increasingly desperate as time ran out, throwing the ball forward at every opportunity but the Iranian defence held out to secure a third win of the final phase of qualifying and improve the nation’s hopes of a place in Brazil next year.

“The fair result tonight would have been a draw as we did not expect to lose tonight especially as we had many chances which we didn’t take advantage of. Iran were physically strong and they were good in defence,” said Qatar coach Thani.

“We played well but we didn’t take advantage of the chances that we had as we were without the player who could finish those chances.

“We knew that the match would be very hard and we were hoping to get a better result.”

*****************************************************************************

AFP report:

Iran boosted their chances of clinching an automatic berth from Asia at next year’s FIFA World Cup™ with a 1-0 win over Qatar in their crucial qualifying game tonight.

Iranian-Dutch striker Reza Ghoochannejhad struck the vital goal in the 66th minute to end 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar‘s hopes of reaching the finals.

It was the first time Iran had beaten Qatar in four qualifying matches for Brazil 2014. Their three previous matches, including two in the third and penultimate phase of qualifying, had ended in draws.

Tuesday’s victory took Iran to ten points in Group A, and with two more games in hand, the Asian giants look set for their fourth appearance in the FIFA World Cup finals.

Qatar‘s already slim hopes of qualifying for football’s showpiece event relied heavily on a victory over Iran, and for the better part of the first half they appeared on course with speedy moves that occasionally caught the Iranians napping.

Former AFC Asian Player of the Year Khalfan Ibrahim came close to beating the Iranian defence on a couple of occasions, but Qatar‘s first real chance came in the 30th minute when Hassan Haydos found himself clear just inside the penalty area. However, much to Qatar‘s dismay his cracking shot slammed the crossbar.

Qatar goalkeeper Qassem Burhan then brought off two splendid saves in quick succession – blocking a dipping free-kick from 25 yards by Masoud Shojaei and then producing a reflex save to stop a Nournia header from close range.

Iran, however, moved up a gear in the second-half. Playing with more purpose and speed they kept probing at the Qatari defence and eventually it cracked under pressure when a move initiated by Qatar-based Andranik Teymourian saw the ball come Nournia’s way and the former Dutch U-19 international made no mistake from close range. Qatar tried their best to get the equaliser but the Iranians held firm to deny the hosts.