Tag: Ali GHOLIZADEH

Team Melli to Hold Third Intra-Squad Friendly Ahead of Turkish Camp

TEHRAN – Iran’s Team Melli, will conduct its third intra-squad match tomorrow (Tuesday) at Shahid Dastgerdi Stadium (formerly Pas Qavamin), as part of the fourth phase of its preparatory training camp.

The internal friendly has been designed under the guidance of the technical staff as a final evaluation tool to assess domestic league players’ readiness before the squad departs for a crucial training camp in Turkey. The primary objectives are to enhance on-field coordination, improve tactical cohesion, and simulate match conditions ahead of upcoming international commitments.

In a bid to foster unity and morale, the match will be open to a select audience, including Iranian football veterans, federation managers, club coaches, and media representatives. These attendees will have the opportunity to observe the team’s latest preparations firsthand and, as they did during the previous two intra-squad matches, provide vocal support to boost the players’ spirits.

Behind Closed Doors No Longer

Unlike much of the previous training session, which was held behind closed doors, tomorrow’s match represents a measured step toward transparency. The Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) has yet to officially announce when foreign-based players (legionnaires) will join the camp. However, speculation suggests that several of them will fly directly to Turkey after taking adequate rest following the conclusion of their respective club seasons.

Gholizadeh Ruled Out of World Cup

One confirmed absentee is Ali Gholizadeh, who will miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup entirely after suffering a serious injury during a league match for his Polish club, Lech Poznan. The winger’s absence is a significant blow to Iran’s attacking depth.

Azmoun’s Status Remains Uncertain

Meanwhile, the fate of star forward Sardar Azmoun is still shrouded in doubt. The player is reportedly fully fit and has featured in several matches for his club, Shabab Al Ahli of the UAE. Despite his physical readiness, Azmoun was notably overlooked for selection in Iran’s last two friendly internationals against Nigeria and Costa Rica, a decision that has sparked questions among fans and analysts regarding his standing within the squad and whether political pressure is playing a role in this episode. Amir Ghalenoei has, so far, on the sitiuation.

Team Melli’s Star Ali Gholizadeh Suffers Severe Knee Injury, World Cup Hopes in Jeopardy

TEHRAN – In a devastating blow for both club and country, Iranian national team winger Ali Gholizadeh sustained a serious left knee injury during Lech Poznan’s Polish Ekstraklasa clash against Motor Lublin. Polish sports outlets have since reported that the 28-year-old is likely to miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Lech Poznan secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Motor Lublin in the 31st week of the Polish league. Gholizadeh, who started the match, was involved in a distressing incident just 16 minutes into the game.

The unfortunate event unfolded when Gholizadeh leapt over an opposing player from Motor Lublin. Upon landing, he collided awkwardly with another defender, causing his left knee to buckle severely under his weight. The player immediately collapsed to the turf and, despite several agonizing moments, was unable to rise. Teammates and medical staff quickly rushed to his side, with visible concern on their faces , especially given the proximity of the upcoming World Cup.

Polish outlet Interia reported that the initial assessments are alarming. “The nature of the non-contact landing and the immediate reaction of the player suggest a potential cruciate ligament injury,” the site noted. “It appears that Gholizadeh could face a prolonged period on the sidelines, effectively ruling him out of the 2026 World Cup.”

Lech Poznan has yet to release an official medical statement, but sources close to the club fear the worst. The Iranian national team medical staff has reportedly been in contact with their Polish counterparts.

A Painful Déjà Vu

The timing of the injury is especially cruel. Gholizadeh was a key member of Team Melli under Carlos Queiroz during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. In Iran’s historic Group B match against England, which ended 6-2 in favor of the Three Lions, Gholizadeh delivered a moment of pride for Iranian football. It was his precise cross from the right wing that found Mehdi Taremi, who scored Iran’s first goal of the tournament, a strike that briefly silenced the packed Khalifa International Stadium.

Since then, Gholizadeh has remained a consistent performer for both his club and country, known for his dribbling ability, pace, and work rate. His potential absence would leave a significant gap on Iran’s right flank as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup, where they are expected to face top-tier opposition.

What’s Next?

Gholizadeh is expected to undergo an MRI scan in the coming days to determine the full extent of the damage. If a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is confirmed, recovery typically takes six to nine months, making a summer 2026 return impossible. Iranian fans and pundits are anxiously awaiting official news, but early signs point to a heartbreaking setback.

For now, the entire Iranian football community holds its breath, hoping for a less severe diagnosis—but preparing for the worst.

Ghalenoei Unveils 35-Man Squad for March Friendlies; Team Melli Prepares Amidst Turbulent Times.

Team Melli travels by road to Van , Turkey.

As Iran continues to face relentless Israeli/American military aggression, including direct strikes on its territory, civilian targets such as a Girls school and the assassination of its leaders, military commanders, and nuclear scientists, the national football team is preparing to navigate a complex path forward.
Head coach Amir Ghalenoei has announced a 35-man preliminary squad for the upcoming March training camp and two high-profile friendly matches against Nigeria and Costa Rica. The camp, set to commence in Turkey, represents a crucial step in Team Melli’s preparation for the future, even as the nation endures one of the most volatile periods in its modern history.

The announcement comes as Iran remains under sustained attack, making logistics quite a complicated task. Economic and military sanctions have further strangled infrastructure, and the sports sector has not been immune to these pressures.

In this context, Team Melli’s activities abroad are not merely logistical exercises; they are acts of resilience. The decision to hold the camp and matches in Turkey is a direct result of the security situation. With the nation under bombardment and airspace frequently compromised, hosting international teams inside Iran is currently impossible. The federation’s ability to arrange fixtures, secure flights, and guarantee the safety of players and staff has been severely tested by the twin pressures of war and sweeping sanctions.

The Squad: A Blend of Veterans and a High-Profile Debut

Ghalenoei’s roster reflects a strategy of continuity, veteran players, and the integration of some fresh talent. The squad is headlined by the return of out-of-favor Mehdi Torabi , Ehsan Hajsafi and the introduction of a dual citizen Iranian. Dennis Eckert.

There are several significant talking points in this squad, the most important of which is the exclusion of top scorer Sardar Azmoun for allegedly posting a picture with the ruler of Dubai in his social media post. Also, the first-ever call-up for Dennis Eckert, the 29-year-old Iranian-German forward currently plying his trade for Standard Liege in Belgium. Eckert, who is eligible to represent Iran through his heritage, has been granted the necessary permits from FIFA to switch his international allegiance. His inclusion is seen as a major coup for the federation, adding a powerful, physical presence to the forward line. Eckert’s ability to operate as a central striker or on the wing provides Ghalenoei with tactical flexibility against physically robust opponents like Nigeria.

The full 35-man squad is as follows:

  • Goalkeepers: Alireza Beiranvand, Seyed Hossein Hosseini, Payam Niazmand, Mohammad Khalifa.
  • Defenders: Ali Nemati, Hossein Abarghouei, Shoja Khalilzadeh, Saman Fallah, Mohammad Hossein Kanaanizadegan, Danial Iri, Ehsan Hajsafi, Milad Mohammadi, Abolfazl Jalali, Saleh Hardani, Ramin Rezaeian, Danial Esmaeilifar.
  • Midfielders: Saeid Ezatolahi, Mohammad Ghorbani, Omid Noorafkan, Saman Ghoddos, Amir Mohammad Razzaghinia, Mohammad Mohebi, Mehdi Ghayedi, Mehdi Torabi, Hadi Habibinejad.
  • Forwards: Mehdi Taremi, Amir Hossein Mahmoudi, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Ali Gholizadeh, Mehdi Hashemnejad, Ali Alipour, Shahriyar Moghanlou, Ehsan Mahrougi, Amir Hossein Hosseinzadeh, Dennis Eckert.

The Matches: A Litmus Test Amidst Isolation

Team Melli is scheduled to face Nigeria (March 27) and Costa Rica (March 31) in Antalya, Turkey. These fixtures are considered a significant upgrade in opposition quality compared to many of Iran’s recent friendlies, which have been difficult to arrange due to the country’s political isolation.

The match against Nigeria, one of Africa’s powerhouses, will serve as a physical and tactical litmus test. The Super Eagles possess blistering pace and individual brilliance, mirroring the style of some Asian opponents while presenting a higher intensity. The game against Costa Rica, a team renowned for its defensive organization, will offer a different challenge, simulating the type of low-block defenses Iran often struggles to break down in Asian competitions.

For Ghalenoei, whose position is often a subject of intense public debate, these matches are an opportunity to demonstrate progress against top-tier opposition. The results, while secondary in friendlies, carry psychological weight for a nation seeking moments of pride and normalcy amidst the chaos of war.

Logistical Challenges Under Fire

The decision to hold the camp in Turkey is a pragmatic necessity born of crisis. Due to the ongoing bombardment of Iranian territory, the constant threat of further Israeli airstrikes, and the stringent enforcement of American-led sanctions, hosting international teams in Iran has become impossible. Turkey serves as the only viable logistical hub, allowing Iranian players based in Europe—such as Taremi, Ali Gholizadeh and Jahanbakhsh- to join the camp with minimal risk.

FFIRI has confirmed that news and images of the team’s preparations and departure will be disseminated through official media channels, attempting to maintain transparency and connect with a fan base eager for distraction from the relentless news of military strikes and regional escalation.

Conclusion: A Selection Defined by Caution, Not Courage

Ghalenoei’s 35-man squad lays bare the conservative philosophy that has come to define his tenure. Rather than using these friendlies—played under exceptional circumstances—as an opportunity to inject fresh blood into the national team, the head coach has doubled down on familiarity, leaning heavily on a core of aging veterans whose best years are behind them.

The inclusion of Shoja Khalilzadeh (37) , a controversial figure whose presence has often divided fans and pundits alike, alongside the returns of Ehsan Hajsafi (36) , Ramin Rezaeian (36) , and Alireza Jahanbakhsh (33) , speaks volumes. In the case of Jahanbakhsh, the call-up is particularly difficult to justify; he has been far from impressive while playing for a struggling club at the bottom of the Belgian league. These selections reflect a coach who prioritizes experience over form and familiarity over potential.

To be sure, Ghalenoei will have excuses at the ready. The suspension of domestic league matches has deprived him of a meaningful rhythm to evaluate younger talent. The broader dearth of high-quality options within the league, exacerbated by the suffocating geopolitical situation and the ongoing war that has disrupted every facet of Iranian life, has undoubtedly limited his pool. These are not trivial obstacles, and they will serve as convenient justifications should the team’s performances in Turkey fall short of expectations.

And yet, even accounting for these constraints, the squad reveals a deeper issue: a chronic lack of ambition from the coaching staff. Where a more daring manager might have used the chaos as cover to experiment and build for the future, Ghalenoei has clung to his policy of continuity regardless of circumstances. The result is a selection that feels safe to the point of stagnation.

More than a handful of players in this 35-man list have done little to earn their place on merit alone. Their presence suggests that Ghalenoei is content to ride or die with the old guard, using the league suspension and the regional crisis as a shield against criticism rather than a challenge to innovate.

In sum, this is a disappointing selection—not merely because of the geopolitical nightmare the nation is enduring, but because it reflects a coach whose perennial fear of risk continues to hold Team Melli back from the evolution it so desperately needs.

Gholizadeh to the Polish Leauge

Ali Gholizadeh has been officially transferred from his Belgian club to Lech Poznan in Poland.

Last night Sporting Charleroi Club of Belgium officially confirmed the departure of Iranian player Ali Golizadeh and his joining Ekstraklasa club Lech Poznań, of Poland. Golizadeh joined the Belgian club from Iran’s Saipa team in 2018, and in his five seasons in this team, he scored a total of 23 goals and 26 assists in 143 games (9656 minutes).

The 27-year-old Iranian winger was on loan in the second half of the last season to the Turkish team Kasımpaşa.

Gholizadeh, born in Ardabil, started his senior career at Saipa. He has represented Iran in all age levels until being picked by Carlos Queiroz for Team Melli in which he has now made 30 appearances scoring 4 goals and providing one assist.

This is the first time an Iranian footballer plays at the senior level in Poland. The transfer fee is rumored to be in the region of 1.8 million euros, which makes this Iranian player, the most expensive transfer in the history of the Polish league.

Lech has won the Polish league a total of eight times, most recently in 2022, and is the most popular football club in the Greater Poland region. The Stadion Poznań is the home ground of Lech Poznań, and was one of the venues for the group phase of Euro 2012. It has a league capacity of 43,269 (all seated). The stadium was originally built between 1968 and 1980. 

Gholizadeh loaned to the Turkish side Kasımpaşa

Team Melli midfielder Ali Gholizadeh will end the season in Turkey at Kasımpaşa SK, currently 13th in the Turkish Super Lig championship. He leaves Sporting de Charleroi where he arrived in the summer of 2018. He was loaned until the end of the season with an option to buy.

Gholizadeh seemed to be desperate to leave Belgium due to a personal problem. Gholizadeh, who completed the initial steps of joining Kasımpaşa in the past few days, officially joined this team and signed his contract today.

The plight of Team Melli players in Europe

The spiral dive of Iranian footballers’ fortunes have continued since the conclusion of the FIFA World Cup 2022.

It is safe to say that apart from Mehdi Taremi, in one match against England, none of the Team Melli players displayed any meaningful football or quality in the World Cup to attract interest from European clubs, or even regional Persian Gulf leagues. As if this was bad with no buyers turning up for the Iranian stars, most of the Team Melli players (on the edge or above 30 years old) even household names are struggling in their clubs too,

Perhaps the most noticeable fall from grace and drop in form has to be that of Sardar Azmoun. The days when the central forward of Team Melli was in Russia playing for Zenit, were perhaps the greatest achievement of any Iranian player in history. Not only Azmoun won several titles with the St. Petersburg club, he also achieved the title of top scorer in the Russian league to become only the second Iranian footballer to do so after Alireza Jahanbakhsh in the Netherlands Eredivisie.

Then came that dreadful transfer to the Bundesliga.

No doubt, the injury to Sardar was a great setback at the time when he needed to prove himself at Bayer Leverkusen, however, even after full recovery, Azmoun was far from convincing and lacked the quality to earn himself a place in the starting line up for a middle of the table Bundesliga club. Now, Leverkusen is thinking of cutting their losses by loaning him to other clubs.

Alireza Jahanbakhsh is another player whose winning the top scorer title was a bad omen. His time with Brighton in the Premiere league was best to be forgotten. On his return to the Eredivisie with Feyenoord this time, it was hoped that Jahanbaksh will rediscover himself and find the quality that abandoned him in England. It was not to be as Jahanbakhs steady decline and poor showing made him a semi-permanent bench warmer. Jahanbakhsh never utilized the occasional playing time he was afforded to prove himself. It is safe to say that he will be on the unwanted list of Feyenoord by the end of the season, barring a miracle, that is.

in Charleroi, Ali Gholizadeh was a lively and important player. The winger had enough quality to force the Belgian club to renew his contract for another three years, however, the jinx of drop in form hit Gholizadeh too, this time in Belgium. Recently, it seems that the winger of Team Melli has been facing domestic problems complicating the matter even further.

Royal Charleroi will face the Union team in the framework of the 23rd week of the Belgian league. Charleroi’s 20-man squad was announced for this match, while the name of Iranian winger Ali Gholizadeh was once again missing from the list. In last week’s game against Club Brugge, Gholizadeh was left out by head coach Felice Mazo’s, and this happened for the second week in a row. The Belgium website ‘le Soir claimed that Ali Gholizadeh’s mind is somewhere else and this Iranian player is getting closer and closer to the exit door of the club.

Saman Ghoddos continues to be a fringe player in the Premier League with Brentford, with cameo appearances every now and then. Saeed Ezatollahi plays in the second division of the Danish league, which even the local media hardly covers. Ehsan Hajsafi and Milad Mohammadi play in AEK Athens, The latter has seen action in 10 of the 19 league e matches his club played only six as a starter while Hajsafi fared much better with 12 matches starting and 1 substitute out of 19.

Majid Hosseni’s club Kayserispor is currently ranked 8th in the Turkish Süper Lig. With the domestic league at halfway stage, Hossini has featured in 15 out of 19 matches, displaying acceptable form in most of the matches. He is one of the few successful Iranian players in Europe.

The onus on Mehdi Taremi  to continue being the flag bearer of Iranian footballers. Although far from perfect, Taremi continues displaying quality and scoring valuable goals for his club. He is the only Team Melli player who is making headlines in Europe.

Ali Gholizadeh seeking to leave Royal Charleroi!

Team Melli  Iranian winger Ali Gholizadeh, who joined Royal Charleroi S.C. in Belgium from Saipa Alborz club back in 2018, is currently trying to have a release from his contract from the Belgian first division club.

Gholizadeh, who had extended his contract with Charleroi until 2025 just before the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, plans to get his club’s consent for leaving city domestic issues. Gholizadeh has stated personal and family problems with the move. The Team Melli winger has had two bad games in his last matches. He was dropped from the squad against  Club Brugge as he was not even included in the 20-man list of his team in this week’s meeting. Although the Belgian media have announced in the past days that Gholizadeh has offers from the Middle East, the player has informed his club that his wife has returned back to Iran due to medical issues and for this reason, it is necessary for him to terminate his contract with the Belgian side to be beside his ailing wife. On the other hand, it was mentioned that a team from the UAE,  Etihad Kalba of the Emirates under the head coach of Farhad Majidi was one of Gholizadeh’s suitors, but this news has not been confirmed yet.

What are the options of Skocic against South Korea?

Any coach who loses nearly half of his starting players needs to be worried, Skocic is not an exception despite his assertion in the pre-match press conference that Iran will stick to the same game plan and will not resort to a defensive game.

Sadegh Moharrami, Saeid Ezatollahi, Alireza Jahanbaksh, Saman Ghoddod, and Mehdi Taremi, are the five players who started the last match against the UAE but will be missing from the game against South Korea.

Perhaps the two most significant and important players would be Taremi, whose goals have been pushing Iran up in the table and winning the games for Team Melli, and then Jahanbakhsh, an inspiration and a key player whose much-improved game has meant a powerful Iranian side that has not been defeated in the competition. It is not that the rest of the absentees are less important, but the reality is that Jahanbakhsh’s and Taremi’s absence has the biggest impact.

Despite that, Iran’s bench is far from poor and has many players that can fill the gap. Skocic will have to wight his options carefully and play a balanced game against the Koreans. He is right in saying that Iran will not go into a defensive mode, as this will just give the Koreans an advantage, so what are his options?

Expected Line-Up

In the goal, there is very little doubt that Amir Abedzadeh will continue being the number one ahead of Beiranvand.

Amir Abedzadeh

In defense, the absence of Moharrami can be easily covered with several options. Milad Mohammadi and Majid Hosseini are both available and capable despite the fact that it will not be their ideal posts. Mohammadi is a left-back while Hosseini normally plays in the center. A switch of posts is quite possible, however, since the team needs pace against the nifty Koreans, Mohammadi seems better suited for this match.

Shojaa KHALILZADEH
Hossein KANANI-ZADEGAN
Milad Mohammadi
Omid NOORAFKAN

Middle of the field, where Team Melli has had good control in the qualifiers, is the most affected with the loss of two key players. For the holding defensive Midfield, Milad Sarlak, is a player with industry and stamina seems to be a good option for a starting place along with Ehsan Hajsafy.  This selection will give Skocic another option as Hajsafy can also operate as the pseudo-right back and switch play at that post. For the offensive side, Nourollahi and Gholizadeh are the most suitable combination. With the scheming of Nourollahi, and the close tight control of Gholizadeh, the forward line will be fed properly in the offensive moves. Vahid Amiri can be employed slightly further up the line or operate as a winger in a 4-4-2 system. Skocic will most probably start him in the midfield role before seeing how the game is progressing.

Milad Sarlak
Ehsan HAJSAFY
Ali GHOLIZADEH
Ahmad Nourollahi
Vahid AMIRI

Upfront, there is little doubt that Sardar Azmoun will take his rightful place as the sole forward, Despite a drop in form after recovering from injury and covid, Azamoun remains the best options upfront in the absence of the talismanic Taremi.

Sardar Azmoun

Much will depend on the progress of the match but our prediction is that Skocic will start with 4-5-1 system that will switch to 4-4-2 in the offensive part.  Other players for consideration are Mehdi Torabi, Allahyar Sayyadmanesh, Karim Ansarifard.

 

 

 

 

Group A: IR Iran tighten grip with victory over Syria

the-afc.com    – 16.Nov.2021

Amman: A dominant display from the Islamic Republic of Iran at the King Abdullah II Stadium saw them cruise past Syria 3-0 on Matchday Six of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar on Tuesday.
Team Melli went into the game off the back of a five-match unbeaten run, and they cemented their place at the top of Group A with a fifth win in their last six, moving up to 16 points, while Syria was rooted to the foot of the group without a win and remained there after the game.

A touch away from creating a goalscoring opportunity, Syria watched on as Omar Al Soma’s attempted through pass at the edge of the opponent’s box was intercepted and turned into the quickest of counterattacks with Vahid Amiri supplying an exquisite overhead pass for Sardar Azmoun, who broke through between the Syrian center-backs and kept his composure to slot home the opener for IR Iran in the 33rd minute.

Both Amiri and Al Soma were involved in the build-up to another attempt nine minutes later. This time the Iranian winger attempted a cross on from the left with Syria’s number 9 blocking his path and Al Soma’s misfortune continued as he was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the box, leading to the visitors being awarded a penalty that Ehsan Hajsafi (pictured below) duly converted to make it 2-0.

A quick Syrian response saw the Qasioun Eagles come within millimeters of instantly halving the deficit as Mahmoud Al Mawas showed nifty feet to trick two Iranian defenders and rifle from just outside the box, but he watched in agony as his effort beat goalkeeper Amir Abedzadeh only to cannon off the underside of the crossbar and out.

Ahmad Nourollahi nearly found the back of the net for the second game in a row as he attempted his luck in back-to-back shots just after the 70th minute, but the Shabab Al Ahli midfielder was denied on both occasions by the fingertips of Syrian goalkeeper Khalid Al Haji who made flying saves.

Gholizadeh went from provider to scorer, doing so in style with his last touch of the ball before being replaced by Mehdi Ghayedi in the final minute of the match.

The RSC Charleroi winger beat the offside trap and went on to waltz his way past three Syrian defenders before calmly placing the ball into the bottom corner to confirm the Iranian victory with a third goal.

Iran continues their campaign at home against Iraq at the end of January while Syria’s chase of a first win sees them traveling to third-placed United Arab Emirates next.

Late strikes secure Iran victory against Lebanon

Group A: Late strikes secure IR Iran victory against Lebanon

Saida: Stoppage time goals from Sardar Azmoun and Ahmad Nourollahi saved the Islamic Republic of Iran at Saida International Stadium on Thursday as Dragan Skocic’s side claimed a dramatic 2-1 win over Lebanon in Group A of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar 2022.
Azmoun showed his predatory instincts once again for his country as he cancelled out Soony Saad’s opportunistic first half opener before Nourollahi smashed home a low drive to earn the visitors all three points as the qualification campaign for Qatar 2022 reaches the halfway stage.
It was a remarkable escape for the five-time FIFA World Cup qualifiers, who remain on top of Group A as a result of win that broke the hearts of a Lebanese side that looked set to hold on for a historic victory.
The Iranians move on to 13 points and stay two clear of Korea Republic at the summit of Group A while Lebanon remain on five points from the first five games of the campaign.  The result, though, was a cruel blow for Ivan Hasek’s side, who put on a disciplined defensive performance that frustrated their visitors until deep into injury time.
IR Iran started the game on the front foot and seemed set to dominate when, with less than four minutes on the clock, Alireza Jahanbakhsh saw his shot was deflected wide for a corner after Vahid Amiri had danced through the Lebanese defence.

Goalkeeper Mostafa Matar had to be alert in the 28th minute when the Lebanese midfield stood off Jahanbakhsh as the PSV Eindhoven winger drove into the home half before unleashing a long-range effort that was tipped over the bar.

In the 37th minute, however, the hosts took an unlikely lead. Hasek’s side had made few incursions into the Iranian half but a cross from wide on the right touchline by Abbas Asi caught out a defence that expected the ball to sail out of play.
Instead, the strong wind from behind the Iranian goal held the ball up and Saad, the only player alert to the situation, controlled with a deft first touch before clipping a neat finish over a startled Alireza Beiranvand.
The Lebanese almost doubled the lead 10 minutes into the second half when Beiranvand’s mishit clearance fell at the feet of Mohamad Haidar, but his attempt was deflected wide for the home side’s first corner of the game.
That was a rare sight of goal for a Lebanese side that started to drop deeper as the second period wore on.
Azmoun looked set to equalise as the half approached the midway point only for Matar to push the Zenit St Petersburg man’s right-foot shot over the bar while Ali Gholizadeh squandered another opening 12 minutes from time.
Azmoun, though, finally broke through in the first minute of added time with a trademark finish from inside the area as the pressure finally paid off and, four minutes later, Nourollahi smashed his drive home from the edge of the area to cap a remarkable comeback for Skocic’s team.