Iran’s Team Melli defeated Bulgaria 1-0 in international friendly match at Hristo Botev Stadium, in Plovdiv, Bulgaria on Thursday evening. The only goal of the match was scored early in the first half by FC Rostov forward, Mohammad Mohebbi from an immaculate first time cross by Saman Ghoddos.
Team Melli has taken its winning run to five and will be meeting Angola next at Azadi to continue its perfect run ahead of the challenging time in AFC Asian Cup in Qatar in January 2024.
Iran began the match in a fine style distributing the ball smoothly and opening up the Bulgarian defences many times over. However, Mehdi Taremi, who perhaps had his worst match in Team Melli jersey, failed to capitalize on the services of his teammates as he was a shadow of himself failing to connect for the final shots at goal or stumbling over.
The goal scored in the 14th minute, had some element of luck as a long ball was sent towards the Bulgarian goal. The half back misjudged the flight of the ball as it lazily flew over his head towards the far end near the corner. An opportunistic , Ghoddos read the situation perfectly and gallantly reached out for a half volley type to send the ball towards the goal. Mitov the Bulgarian keeper was already out of his goal thinking he will receive the pass from his defender. Mohammad Mohebbi , coolly headed the ball by Ghoddos into the empty net.
The Bulgarian defense was quite lax and a Iran should have scored more than they did in the first half. Ghoddos was doing a fine job distributing the ball and creating chances but the final ball was disappointing.
In a freak accident, Beiranvand who caught the ball right on the D, cleverly saw an opportunity for a counterattack. He fully stretched himself to send one of his famous balls all the way to Taremi in Bulagria half. In the process he seemed to have over-stretched himself pulling a muscle. It was a double blow as that ball should really have been scored by Taremi who was profligate and also led to substitution of Beiranvand.
In the second half the Bulgarians were more aggressive and looking for the equalizer, but that created more scoring chances for Team Melli that again was marred by loose ending and misjudgment of the final balls.
The absence of Sardar Azmoun was truly felt in this half.
The Iranian defense was majestic and thwarted many attacks without really allowing the hosts to seriously bother Niazmand. , the star was Shojaa Khalilzadeh in his return to Team Melli whose immaculate defensive work steered the team to yet another a clean sheet.
Team Melli will return back to Tehran to Face Angola next Tuesday.
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