The Iranian national team defeated Sierra Leone 4-0 win in an international friendly match held in nearly empty Azadi Stadium on Saturday.
Queiroz had a mix of players in the initial line up giving debuts to 3 players, Omid Noorafkan, Goalkeeper Hossein Hosseini and midfielder from Saipa Alborz Ali Gholizadeh. All 3 enjoyed a good game and performed well in their first international.
This was the first preparation match for Team Melli in a series of matches which will continue into March after Nowrooz including the matches against Tunisia and Algeria in Europe.
Iran’s goals were scored by Mohammad Reza Khanzadeh (14), Ali Gholizadeh (16 and 46) and Kaveh Rezaei (35). The 100,000 capacity stadium was virtually empty as no more than 3000 fans turned up. The period of Eid Nowrooz shopping season plus the very humble opponents (Ranked 94 in FIFA Ranking list) prevented many fans from attending the match. less than a week ago, the same stadium was full to the capacity for an AFC champions League match between Esteghlal and Al Ain from UAE.
Team Melli very quickly dictated the game proceedings. It was just a matter of time before the first goal would be scored and it was on a corner that Khanzadeh , returning to the team after a 3 year break, scored from a corner on the 14th minute. The African team had very little to offer as it took 40 minutes for the Iranian keeper Hamed Lak to actually handle a ball from live play.
First half
Min 14: On a free kick, Omid Noorafkan sent a nicely weighted ball to the crowded penalty area of Sierra Leone, which Mohammad Reza KhanZadeh slid into the net for the first goal
Min 16: Ali Golizadeh long-range kick from a solo move from outside the penalty box , wrong footed Sierra Leone keeper after the ball was deflected by his own defenders. First goal for the debutant.
Minutes 35: Ramin Rezaeian crossed from the right into Sierra Leone penalty box , where Kaveh Rezaei headed the ball into the ground and in the goal. the goalkeeper was helpless.
Second half
46 min. Omid Noorafkan on left wing on a solo run hit a strong shot which Sierra Leone goalkeeper could only parry, the return ball, was met by Ali Gholizadeh who scored his second goal.
71 minutes: Sierra Leone’s players created a dangerous move on a stroke on the goal, which Sierra Leone’s Abu Sauna turned into a strong shot , substitute keeper Hossein Hosseini saved it and sent to the corner.
Team Melli starting Line up
Hamed Lak, Ramin Rezaeian , MR Khanzadeh, Rozbeh Cheshmi, Saeed Aghaei, Omid Ebrahimi, Ali Karimi, Ahmad Abdollahzadeh, Omid Noorafkan, Ali Gholizadeh Moghadam and Kaveh Rezaei