Iran in Control

Iran turn the tables on Jordan
After an unlucky 0-1 loss at home to Jordan in the last round of matches, Iran responded with a satisfying 2-0 win on Wednesday that pushes Team Melli back to the top of Group 1. Now level with Jordanians on nine points, but ahead on goal difference, the two-time FIFA World Cup™ participants need to win their last two matches against Qatar and Laos to assure that they claim their expected spot in the final round of Asian Zone qualifying for Germany 2006.
The exciting victory in Amman saw newly-returned Alireza Vahedi-Nikbakht (78th minute) and 35-year-old skipper Ali Daei (89th) tally to secure the win. It was a bit late for comfort, but in the battle between Iran’s talented attack and Jordan’s previously impenetrable defence and lightening counterattack, the away victory should settle nerves in Tehran.

Jordan have been one of the most recent, and most impressive, revelations on the continent. Not only did they defeat Iran in the last qualifier, they also drew 0-0 with 2002 FIFA World Cup semi-finalists Korea Republic and nearly toppled Asian champions Japan at the 2004 Asian Cup.

The return of Hashemian
After a three-year absence due to a quarrel with the team, Iran’s Bayern Munich midfielder Vahid Hashemian returned to play for his national side. His presence gave Iran a significant morale boost, as did the return of another key player, Khodadad Aziz, who helped Iran eliminate Australia to qualify for France 98.

Iran therefore came out with a must-win attitude and seized the initiative from the opening whistle. Their first good chance came in the 30th minute when Ali Daei’s shot was well stopped by 22-year-old Jordanian keeper Amer Shafi. Jordan then successfully held off the Iranian attack and kept the score tied at 0-0 through the first 45 minutes. All seemed to be going exactly according to coach Mahmoud Al Gohary’s plans.
But in the 64th minute, Iran coach Branko Ivanovic made a decisive substitution, bringing on Alireza Vahedi-Nikbakht for Khodadad Aziz. Four minutes later, Vahedi-Nikbakht, who was making his return from injury after sitting out the Asian Cup, seized on his first opportunity and scored with a header to break the stalemate.

Ali Daei seals the victory
After Iran’s first goal, Jordan turned their thoughts to attack. Backed by the strong support of a home crowd, including Jordanian King Abdullah and Princess Rania, they surged forward and created a number of chances as the minutes waned. Mahmoud Shelbaieh, with a header, came the closest to levelling the score.

Iran, no slouch in the counterattacking department themselves, struck back against the pressure when Ali Daei broke clear to make it 2-0. The evergreen striker has scored consistently and has remained one of Asia’s most formidable strikers, and his strike against Jordan may be the moment when Iran’s campaign to reach Germany got back on track.

Branko Ivanovic once described Ali Daei as “irreplaceable,” and the coach’s confidence in the 35 year old striker has once again proved spot-on.

Next up for Team Melli is a tricky trip to resurgent Qatar, who won in Laos 6-1, on 13 October.