Coaches:
Iran: Mohammad Ranjbar(IRN)
Iraq: AbdulIlah Mohammed Hassan (IRQ)
Bangkok
Crack outside left Hossein Kalani notched a hat trick to give defending champions Iran a 3-0 win over Iraq in the opening group "A" match of the Asian Cup football tournament.
Iran lead 1-0at half time after dominating play from kick-off.
Lead by outside right Parviz Ghleechkhani, The Iran forwards made concerted sweeps down the field with Captain and center half Mostafa Arab coordinating well.
The Iraqi defense , marshaled by left half Abid Kadhim withstood some fierce assaults and cleared well until Iran broke through in the 35th minute when Hossein Kalani got the first of his three.
The others followed in the 24th and 29th minutes of the second half.
A crowd of 4000 fans watched the match at Bangkok National Stadium. |