Three-time champions Iran swept aside North Korea 1-0 at the Asian Cup Saturday to become the first team to qualify for the quarter-finals in their bid to end a 35-year title drought. Karim Ansari Fard struck the winner in the 62nd minute as Team Melli fought hard to crack a tight North Korean defence.
It put Iran on six points in Group D following their opening 2-1 victory over Iraq, ensuring them of a spot in the last eight with one match still to play - against United Arab Emirates on Wednesday. North Korea's defeat followed their uninspiring scoreless draw with the UAE and leaves them staring at elimination from the tournament.
UAE play Iraq later Saturday in the other group game. It was a close encounter with Iran having to work hard to unlock the famously tight North Korean backline with few chances in a cagey start. Both sides had free kicks from threatening positions in the opening 10 minutes but neither made them count. Bochum striker Jong Tae-Se had another chance on 16 minutes for Korea but his free kick from 30 metres was punched away by Iranian goalkeeper Mahdi Rahmati.
Iran were struggling to break down North Korea's resolve but appeared to have opened the scoring in the 28th minute when Fard trapped a long ball in the box. He beat Korean defender Ri Jun-Il and slotted the ball past Korean goalkeeper Ri Myong-Guk, but the linesman disallowed the goal and Fard instead got a yellow card for handball.
The dangerous Japan-born Jong was a threat to Iran and charged their goal on the break soon after, trapping the ball in the box but his shot went meekly into Rahmati's hands. Iran stepped up their offensive with a series of counterattacks right after the interval. Mohammad Reza Khalatbari did well to collect a ball on the left but Myong was well placed to stop his shot in the 47th minute.
Comments
Comments are closed for this article.