Brisbane
Team Melli defeated the UAE 1-0 in the top of the table final game of Group C.
The goal was scored in the injury time by the substitute forward Reza Ghoochannejad from a header.
The late goal from Reza ‘Gucci’ Ghoochannejhad was enough to give Iran victory over UAE, sealing top spot in Group C and booking a quarter-final spot against Iraq in Canberra.
In front of a vocal crowd of more than 11,000 in Brisbane, it was a hard-fought affair with UAE domination possession and passing but Iran certainly the bigger goal threat. Despite the majority of the possession . UAE to failed to create a single meaningful threat on Alireza Haghighi’s goal throughout the match. Iran’s keeper did not have to make any save at all and was happily content with shooting goal kicks and the odd free kicks to make himself busy.
The breakthrough came form a corner as normal time ticked over, the ball went deep before being played in where “Gucci” was waiting to head home in the six yard box.
UAE and Iran were scoreless at halftime in Monday’s decisive Asian Cup Group C encounter after a frantic opening 45 minutes.
Although both teams have already booked their places in the quarter-finals, the prospect of avoiding Japan in the last eight ensured the match would be anything but meaningless.
Roared on by their fanatical supporters, the west Asian sides attacked each other from the outset on a hot and humid night at Brisbane’s Lang Park.
Whoever wins will top the pool and play the Group D runner-up, most likely Iraq, while the losers can expect to line up opposite defending champions Japan.
If the match ends in a draw, UAE will advance as group winners due to their superior goal difference.
Iran, Asia’s highest ranked team, did most of the attacking but UAE remained dangerous on the counter attack.
UAE defender Khamis Esmaeel unleashed a ferocious long-range volley that just went wide, while Amer Abdulrahman posed plenty of problems for the Iranian defence.
Iranian striker Sardar Azmoun also threatened on several occasions, climbing above the defenders but missing the target with his headers.
With both teams pushing forward and engaging in some wild goalmouth scrambles, tensions began to fray.
UAE defender Walid Abbas will miss his team’s quarter-final after picking up his second yellow card of the tournament, while Azmoun and the Iranian captain Javad Nekounam were also booked.
Two offensive changes by Carlos Queiroz , eventually made the difference. Dejagah and Ghoochanejad made the difference in the second half. The former took control of the game and created several chances.
Reza Ghoochanejad last gasp lobbing header got Iran’s only goal and all the 3 points