A solitary goal eight minutes into the second half was enough to send Iran and United Arab Emirates through to the second phase with one game left to play in the group stage.Iranian football team edged Qatar in Group C of the 2015 AFC Asian Cup.
It's been a little better from Iran in the first half. The Persians dominated the match and put the Qatari team under pressure.
Rubin Kazan striker Sardar Azmoun created the first chance for the Iranian football team, when he rose highest to head a Mehrdad Pooladi cross on target in the 3rd minute but was easily saved by Qatar goalkeeper Qasem Burhan.
Iranian defender Morteza Pouraliganjis flying header was also cleared off the line by Ahmed El Sayed.
Just before the break, Ashkan Dejagahs effort went narrowly wide of the far post.
Seven minutes into the second half, Azmoun received a pass from Dejagah with his back to goal, spun Almahdi Ali with a sharp turn and kept his composure to apply a right-footed finish.
It was Arsenal and Liverpool targets third goal from November. The 20-year-old striker had also scored two winning goals against South Korea and Iraq in two friendly matches in Tehran and Sydney.
On the hour mark, Azmoun was stretched off with an injury, which did not appear to be serious.
I think he will be fit for the match against the UAE, however we don't yet know the extent of that damage, Iran coach Carlos Queiroz said.
His substitute Reza Ghoochannejhad had four shots at goal, three of them saved, making Carlos Queiroz angry.
I was not angry with Ghoochannejhad but I like to score more goals. I think we should have scored more goals against strong Qatar. I dedicate the victory to all those who believed in us, trusted us and supported us during the match, the former Real Madrid coach said in the post match news conference.
Iran midfielder Andranik Teymourian was named as the man of the Match.
Three-time champion Iran, who began the competition with a 2-0 victory over Bahrain, will play the UAE in Brisbane on next Monday to determine who will claim top spot in Group C of the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015.
Elsewhere, Qatar will take on Bahrain in Sydney.
By Tehran Times
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