Iran’s Omid team began their Group B campaign at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games with a convincing 3–1 victory over the United Arab Emirates. The first half ended goalless.
Omid head coach Hossein Abdi rested several key players who had joined the squad late after playing for their clubs in AFC Champions League matches.
Both teams started cautiously and created few serious chances. The match came to life at the start of the second half, as Iran made a whirlwind start and scored two quick goals.
In the 49th minute, Pourya Shahrabadi scored a beautiful header that left the Emirati goalkeeper wrong-footed and unable to react.
Four minutes later, Iran added a second. After a scramble in the UAE penalty area, the ball ended up in the net, with UAE defender Yousif AlMarzooqi credited with an own goal.
UAE increased their pressure in search of a quick response and pulled one back in the 57th minute. Mansoor AlMenhali crossed from the right, and the ball evaded everyone before ending up in the far corner of Khalifa’s goal. It was a soft goal to concede, and it gave the UAE confidence that they could equalise.
Timely substitutions and tactical changes by Hossein Abdi ensured that UAE’s attacking pressure was limited to long-range, inaccurate shots at Khalifa’s goal.
Iran held on to their lead, and the icing on the cake was a late goal by Yousef Mazraeh, who headed low into the net after a rebound.
Iran will next play China on 20 September.
Match details
16 September, 14:00
Wave Stadium, Kariya
United Arab Emirates 1–3 Iran
Goals:
49' Pourya Shahrabadi (IRI)
53' Yousif AlMarzooqi (OG) (IRI)
57' Mansoor AlMenhali (UAE)
88' Yousef Mazraeh (IRI)
IRAN STARTING LINEUP
1 KHALIFEH Mohammad Goalkeeper 90:00
6 DEHGHAN Mobin Midfielder 90:00
15 MOHEBBI Masoud Defender 90:00
5 HAZBAVI Mohammad Amin Defender 90:00
14 JAFARI Mehdi Midfielder45:00
16 KAHRIZI Abbas Midfielder 90:00
2 KOOHI Abolfazl Midfielder 90:00
3 MOAMELEHGARI Farzin Midfielder 73:00
18 LATIFIFAR Pouria Midfielder 69:00
20 MAZRAEH Yousef Forward 90:00
21 SHAHRABADI Pourya Forward 68:00
SUSBTITUTIONS
11 TAHERI Kasra Forward 44:00
13 SAHRAEI Soheil Midfielder 22:00
23 LATIFI Ghasem Midfielder 21:00
19 JORJANI Yasin Defender 17:00
10 HOSSEINZADEH Amirhossein Midfielder 1:00
BENCH
12 ZAREI Adib Goalkeeper 0:00
22 ABASI Armin Goalkeeper
4 IRI Danial Defender 0:00
7 GHOLIZADEH SAMIAN Esmaeil Forward 0:00
8 RAZAGHINIA Amirmohammad Midfielder 0:00
9 SAHARKHIZAN GENDESHMIN Saeid Forward 0:00
17 GHANDI POUR Reza Forward