Ehsan Hajsafi struck with a sumptuous volley in first-half stoppage time to help Iran to a 2-0 victory over Bahrain in a tempestuous Asian Cup dust-up yesterday.
Iran, seeking to end a 39-year wait for a fourth title, effectively sealed the points in their Group C opener when Masoud Shojaei added a second in the 71st minute to end Bahrain’s brave resistance in Melbourne.
Asia’s top-ranked side, Iran almost opened the scoring after 20 minutes when the dangerous Ashkan Dejagah forced a smart stop from Sayed Abbas in the Bahrain goal.
Photo: AFP
However, Bahrain had already served notice that they were not about to simply roll over as their bulldozing Nigerian-born striker Jaycee Okwunwanne blazed just wide during the frenetic early skirmishes.
Sayed Shubbar then squandered a golden opportunity by heading over as Bahrain threatened to capitalize on a sluggish start from highly fancied Iran.
However, Hajsafi produced a moment of magic with almost the last kick of the first half, expertly trapping a looping clearance with his left foot before instantaneously smashing it past Abbas with the outside of his right boot from just outside the box.
Photo: AFP
Reza Ghoochannejhad appeared to be incorrectly flagged for offside for a second time when through on goal shortly after the interval, before Okwunwanne almost emulated Hajsafi with a ferocious drive that Iran goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi did brilliantly to keep out.
Tempers flared when Haghighi barged into Faouzi Aaish, Bahrain’s waspish playermaker with a menacing-looking mohican who was a thorn in Iran’s side the entire game.
However, moments later Shojaei popped up to steer a right-foot shot just inside the post from another corner to trigger wild celebrations from a crowd of 17,000 — most noisily supporting Team Melli.
Iran’s Asian Cup drought dates back to 1976, when they won the third of three successive titles.
Earlier, the United Arab Emirates issued a warning to future opponents by thrashing Qatar 4-1 to go top of the group on goal difference.
Top-rated midfielder Omar Abdulrahman was at his creative best as both Ahmed Khalil and Ali Mabkhout grabbed a brace after “Qatari Maradona” Khalfan Ibrahim put his side ahead.
Khalfan’s deftly taken chest and volley proved Qatar’s best moment.
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