Team Melli opened its account in the 17th AFC Asian Cup with a comprehensive 5 – 0 win against Yemen at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The first half ended 3-0

All the respect given to Yemeni team and fear of Yemen springing a surprise did not last very long in the first half as Iran struck on the 11th minute. when Mehdi Taremi scored from a rebound after Sardar Azmoun’s shoot was parried by Yemen Keeper for Mehdi to coolly slot home the opener.

A handball 3 meters outside the penalty was called against the Yemen in the 22nd minute which Ashkan Dejagah took and cleverly slotted in with the help of the woodwork and the keeper. 2- 0 for Iran with less than half an hour played.

Just about two minutes after Dejagah’s goal, Ramin Rezaeian dispatches an inch perfect cross from the right into the penalty are where Taremi towers above all and heads a powerful and delightful ball out of reach of Yemen keeper to announce the third goal for Team Melli.

So much for the caution against the minnows and fear of surprises.

There is still another 45 minutes to come, it remains to be seen what Queiroz has in mind for the second.

Despite the good result, there has been some drawbacks as well.

There is still cconcern with the overall discipline of the players. Some wild tackles were flying in from Team Melli player, engaging in skirmishes and  pushing and shoving gameplay with Yemeni players as Azmoun did just before the 2nd goal and Ebrahimi picking a silly yellow card which was deserved and totally uncalled for.

Yemen. to their credit , tried to match Iran and admirabely played quite well in the first 10 minutes. Their counter attacks were promising, and the speed of passes was remarkable, however the difference in class was so obvious  as the time passed hence the first half result

In the second half, Yemen main concern was damage limitation and as such they played it rough and wild. Four yellow cards were awarded to Yemen players and a possible penalty shout was waved on by the Japanese referee Sato.

Team Melli once again scored early in the 53rd minute with Azmoun slotting the ball after a flick from Mehdi Torabi following a corner kick. The ball went past the goal line but Yemen defender kicked it out. The ref was right close to action and immediately pointer to the centre of the field to announce Iran’s fourth

Saman Ghoddos , a substitute on the hour for Vahid Amiri , scored Iran’s fifth from a powerful shot outside the box in the 78th minute.

At the end of the day, it was a job well done by Team Melli and despite some rough edges , the display was more than satisfactory.

Iran  goals vs 0 Yemen.