Pages

Football: Iran, Iraq power into Asian Cup knockout phase

Football: Iran, Iraq power into Asian Cup knockout phase

ABU DHABI (AFP) - Iran sank Vietnam and Iraq beat Yemen as the neighbours and arch-rivals powered into the Asian Cup round of 16 on Saturday (Jan 12) ahead of their highly anticipated group decider next week.
Sardar Azmoun struck both goals in Iran's 2-0 win in Abu Dhabi, while teenager Mohanad Ali's early solo strike kick-started Iraq's 3-0 victory in Sharjah.
Iran and Iraq will meet in Dubai on Wednesday to decide who tops Group D in a repeat of their combustible quarter-final of 2015, which Iraq won on penalties.
Iran, looking to end a 43-year title drought since last winning Asian football's most coveted prize, could have scored four or five but for some poor finishing in Abu Dhabi.
"It's a pity our performance didn't produce a couple more goals," Iran coach Carlos Queiroz told reporters.
"But winning is the best medicine in football. To win two games and score seven goals - I have to praise my players because I am very demanding."
Saman Ghoddos and Mehdi Taremi went close for Asia's top-ranked team before Azmoun rose to head home a Ghoddos cross after 38 minutes.
The Rubin Kazan forward lashed in his third goal of the tournament from the edge of the box 20 minutes from time to give Iran a record ninth successive first-round victory dating back to 2007.
Co-favourites with South Korea to lift the Asian Cup, Iran crushed war-torn Yemen 5-0 in their opening Group D game.

'A FINISHER'


They were indebted to goalkeeper Alireza Safar Beiranvand for a courageous save from Nguyen Cong Phuong, but were otherwise barely ruffled by the South-east Asian champions.
"We just need to relax more," said Queiroz. "In the second half our anxiety to score a third goal led to some bad passes."
Queiroz singled out Azmoun, who came out of international retirement for the Asian Cup.
"He's a finisher," said the Portuguese, now in his eighth year as Iran coach.
"We have high hopes for him for this competition. But the way the team is contributing around him, and our movement in the last third, are very interesting."
In Sharjah, 18-year-old Ali scored a wonderful solo goal to put Iraq 1-0 up after 11 minutes, although questions must be raised of the Yemeni defence.
Pouncing on a loose back pass, Ali held off three defenders before rifling his shot past Jalal Hassan in the Yemen goal.
Bashar Resan doubled Iraq's lead midway through the first half when his deflected shot drifted in off the upright with Hassan slow to get across.
Ali hit the post in one of the rare highlights of the second half before Alaa Abbas struck in injury time, finishing sharply after Ahmed Yaseen's header into his path.



The Reds moved back to the top of the table with a comprehensive 5-0 victory over relegated Huddersfield, with Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah each bagging a brace following Naby Keita's opener
Reds are '10 games from greatness' whether Klopp admits it or



AFC Asian Cup 2019: Qatar reach final after routing UAE 4-0 amid booing of national anthem, shoe-hurling Amid shoes being thrown in insult, Qatar won its politically charged match against host United Arab Emirates 4-0 and advanced to the Asian Cup final
Watch: Qatar thrash UAE amid ugly scenes to reach Asian Cup final



Football - Veteran Quagliarella helps rejuvenated Italy thrash Liechtenstein. Fabio Quagliarella became Italy's oldest goalscorer as his double helped Roberto Mancini's rejuvenated side thrash 10



England's Sterling honoured with award for fighting racism Manchester City's England forward Raheem Sterling has been awarded The Integrity and Impact Award at this year's BT Sport Industry
Football: England's Raheem Sterling honoured with award for



Headline Solskjaer confirms his contract in Norway has expired. Manchester United caretaker boss says he no longer has a deal with Molde. that he would return to Molde - but Solskjaer has
'I think the contract is expired' - United boss Solskjaer



Borussia Dortmund did not make it through the Champions League group stage last term, but Mario Gotze expects more this season. Bundesliga: Gotze predicts Borussia Dortmund success in Champions



Guardiola praised his side's battling qualities after the game, but also admitted that the absence of VAR cameras was a factor in Man City's goals. As quoted by The Sun, the City boss said: "If it was not a penalty and if our third goal was offside, then I am sorry. "But you have to ask the authorities why VAR is not here today.
sport news 'I am so sorry': Pep Guardiola apologises to



Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini has completed his transfer to Chinese Super League club Shandong Luneng. The Belgian flew to China on Thursday to complete the deal that brings to an
Marouane Fellaini Leaves Man Utd For China's Shandong



Chelsea were given a fright by Slavia Prague in a 4-3 home win on Thursday that saw them to a 5-3 aggregate victory and a place in the semi-finals of the Europa League. Already 1-0 up from the
Chelsea vs Slavia Prague result, Europa League 2019 report


Neymar hints at joining Real Madrid | Dhaka Tribune



(Reuters) - China was all but confirmed as host nation of the next Asian Cup tournament in 2023 after the only other bidders South Korea withdrew from the process. The Korean Football association
China all but confirmed as 2023 Asian Cup hosts after Korea


Football: Arsene Wenger hails Leeds' Marcelo Bielsa for

0 comments:

Post a Comment