Iran 0 – 0 Iraq; Team Melli tops group D

Al Maktoum  Stadium, Dubai
teammelli.com reportsIn front of Full capacity stadium Iran and their local rivals played  a goal less draw in a strongly combative encounter as expected. The sell out match, meant thousands of fans were left outside the stadium. The organizing committee has failed to cater for such demand as both countries have large number of expatriate communities in the UAE particularly Dubai.

Queiroz opted to make some changes from the last match against Vietnam. In came Jahanbakhsh, Milad Mohammadi, Majid Hosseini and Roozbeh Cheshmi while Dejagah, Taremi, Hajsafy and Pouraliganji were rested on the bench.

The first 10 minutes was eventless with both teams testing the waters and neither able to penetrate the defenses of the other.
There was an early worry for Jahanbakhsh as he left the pitch with a bleeding nose  on the 11th mints, but came back after a quick fix
A minute later a cross from Mohammadi was met by high-flying Sardar who just headed above the bar.
21st min , a foul on Ebrahimi just outside the half circle was taken by and  wasted by Ghoddos.
On the 27th minute a Shout for penalty by Iran played because of a foul on Ebrahimi was waved on by Irmatov , as Ebrahimi seemed to fall quite easily.
On the 29th min Ghoddos volley from long-range ended up in  for a  corner after deflection
33rd min  Yellow card given to Atwan of Iraq for foul on Amiri
35th  saw the first shot by Iraq that went off target.
39th min. A nasty foul by Saman Ghoddos who stamped on Iraqi player leg. He was lucky to escape with just a Yellow Card.


42nd minute a long throw by Amiri reached Azmoun whose shot was blocked but the rebound reaches Jahanbakhsh who shoots skywards. This was a scoring chance missed.
The first ended goalless. Neither of the teams Created clear-cut chances, as both goalkeepers had it easy. Iran  despite having more ball possession could not reach the keeper against a solid and well-built Iraqi defence.2nd half.
Iraq needing to win to top the group came out as the stronger of the two,  the 1st corner of the half was won by Iraq.
Lack of playmaker in central midfield area for Team Melli was quite evident. Saman Ghoddos was drifting on the flanks, leaving Ebrahimi partnering Cheshmi in the central focal role. Poor defensive covering marred Ghoddos game as well.
Co Saman defensive work suspect Better for CQ to realize early.
In the 62nd min  Taremi replaced the ineffective  Jahanbakhsh to give Iran more offensive edge.
On 65th min,  Kanani-Zadegan made a poor clearance in the box gifting the Iraq forward a big chance to test Biranvand, but the shoot was too mild to bother Iran keeper.
On the 68th min. Vahid Amiri was awarded a Yellow card for entering the field after treatment without referee’s permission.
In 74th min  Torabi came in to replace Ghoddos.
The best chance for Iraq came in the 75th min , but Biranvand timely interception of the ball going to the dar upper corner, deprived Iraq.


In the 78th min Torabi shooting attempt was off target after some promising moves by Team Melli.

79th min saw Dejagah come in for Cheshmi
On the 82nd min a foul outside box was called for Iran. Dejagah crossed but Azmoun header misses.target

The match ended goal less for Iran fo take the lead of the group on goal difference. Vietnam, which beat Yemen 2-0 in the other group match is third and has a good chance of qualifying.

Attendance: 15,038