Iran opened up Group E of the AFC Third Round at home in Tehran against Indonesia. However, just as against Maldives in the previous round, Iran were made to work. Indonesia had a harmonized back line which stifled Iran's attack for the first forty-five minutes.
After the scoreless first half, the pressure was on the host side. However, two set pieces led to the demise of Indonesia. Javad Nekounam expertly headed away two goals off set piece deliveries, including a back-to-the-goal flicked off shot for his second tally. Iran added a third three minutes from time to take away a deserved victory by a score of 3-0.
Qatar visited Manama to face hosts and Gulf neighbors Bahrain in what is considered by many as the fight for second-place in the group behind powerhouse Iran. Authorities were hoping "fight" did not apply to fan behavior after a Qatari television network aired a less-than-flattering documentary on the political unrest in Bahrain just two weeks before the match, a documentary so divisive that the workers of the that channels have been denied entry into Bahrain. Bahrain was also missing many Shia Muslim national team players.
Amidst this external drama, an incredibly forgettable football match was held. Nothing seemed to happen in this match, and surely the fans were relieved to hear the final whistle mercifully end the scoreless snoozefest. The 0-0 result does nothing to separate the two teams in their race for the fourth round of qualifying.
After Qatar's draw at Bahrain finished the day's slate of Asian qualifiers, not a single number one or two seed in any group suffered a defeat. Next up in Group E are two matches on Tuesday: Iran at Qatar and Bahrain at Indonesia. Iran's captain Nekounam claims that all Asian teams are afraid of Iran and that Iran should take the victory on the road, so Qatar will not lack for motivation come game time.
Goals:
Iran
Javad Nekounam 53, 74
Andranik Teymourian 87
Match Reports:
Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mTkjXIFsa4 (Iran v. Indonesia)
Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2nNt2kuiaA (Iran v. Indonesia)
Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2nNt2kuiaA (Iran v. Indonesia)
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