World Cup 2010

Iran 1-0 Iceland: Team Melli Win Low Key Tehran Friendly

Iran has picked up a European scalp...

Nov 11, 2009 1:19:59 AM

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Iran defeated Iceland by a single goal in Tehran’s Azadi stadium to win their friendly in advance of the Asian Cup qualifier versus Jordan this weekend.

The friendly match which was not scheduled on an official FIFA day was attended very poorly.

Only a small crowd of a few hundred attended the match. Additionally, both teams did not have the services of a number of their regulars who were tied up with their club duties.

Most noticeable absentees were Iran’s Javad Nekounam and Masoud Shojaei who play for Spanish side Osasuna, and Iceland’s Eidur Gudjohnson who plays for AS Monaco of France.

The first half was mostly uneventful with few chances for either team.

Iceland was gifted an opportunity on a defensive error by Iran’s Mohammad Nosrati, but Iceland’s Skulason wasted the chance.

In the second half the pace of the game picked up a bit, and nine minutes after the restart, Iran scored on a counter attack.

It was started by goalkeeper Mehdi Rahmati’s quick release to midfielder Mehrzad Madanchi who made a dashing run up the leftside and made a perfectly timed cross to Karim Ansarifard in the goalmouth, and Ansarifard found the net.

Both teams created a few chances thereafter but poor finishing on both ends kept the result one nil for Iran. Team Melli has a November 14 date with Jordan in Tehran’s Azadi Stadium.

Afshin Afshar

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