Iran and Uzbekistan began their AFC Fourth Round schedules with a matchup in Tashkent. Team Melli of Iran have had many heroes over the years, including all-time international goal scoring champion Ali Daei, but today the hero was goalkeeper Mehdi Rahmati. He saved two big goalscoring opportunities in the first period, denying first Victor Karpenko and then Alexander Geynrikh. Geynrikh netted a ball later in the half, but he was offside, so the match remained scoreless at the break.
In the second period, Uzbekistan continued to dominate possession, and in minute 74 they should have taken the lead. Odil Ahmedov shot initially off the post from a Geynrikh cross, but Ahmedov pounded the rebound over the goalline and into the body of Iran's Seyed Hosseini, but after the ball bounced back and was cleared, no goal was given. Uzbekistan pressed for the winner at home but were caught on the break in stoppage time and conceded after Mohammed Khalatbari finished on the 2-on-1 fast break. Uzbekistan have reason to be angry about the non-goal call, but nevertheless they lose 1-0 at home and Iran will be thankful for their good fortune.
Lebanon's Cedars played their first ever match in the final round of FIFA World Cup qualifying before a raucous home crowd in Beirut with Qatar looking to play spoilers. One early shot from Qatari striker Sebastian Soria was tipped over the bar, but Lebanon always looked the brighter side. Nearing the half hour mark, Abbas Atwi struck the outside of the left post for Lebanon, whose rebound attempt was desperately cleared away by the right leg of Qatar centerback Kasola Mohammed. The first half ended at 0-0.
Twenty minutes into the second half, Lebanese right back Ramez Dayoub made a horrific backpass which was intercepted by Soria. Soria dribbled around the goalkeeper and slotted home for a gift 1-0 lead. Lebanon's Youssef Mohamed steered the ball wide of goal with an open volley from the six-yard box in stoppage time, leaving Lebanon still in search of the equalizer that would never come. Qatar win 1-0 to give both road teams victories in AFC Group One.
Goals
Iran
Mohammed Khalatbari 90+4
Qatar
Sebastian Soria 64
Match Reports:
http://www.the-afc.com/en/tournaments/men-a-youth/fifa-world-cup/39353-uzbekistan-vs-iran
http://www.the-afc.com/en/tournaments/men-a-youth/fifa-world-cup/39355-lebanon-vs-qatar
Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gV3RRg6D6Kg&noredirect=1 (Iran v. Uzbekistan)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBTffyq-0II (Qatar v. Lebanon)
Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZhKJxOXO-c (Iran v. Uzbekistan)
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