Team Melli defeated Uzbekistan 1-0 in front of disappointing number of fans in Azadi Stadium on Saturday. The goal was scored in the 17th minute by Esteghlal’s defender Rouzbeh Cheshmi from a beautiful header following a corner by Ehsan Haj Safy, to register his goal first with the National Team.

Queiroz opted for an experimental line up with two debutants included , Amir Ahmadzadeh in goal and Majeed Hosseini in defence. The rest of the line up was a mixture of players.

On the other hand, Uzbekistan selected a very mew look team after the disappointment of not making the World Cup while being so close, for the third time running. The young team. coached by ex-National Team Captain Timur Kapadze gave the more experienced Iranians a run for their money. the goalkeeper Botirali Ergashev who has left Pakhtakor in February to join Navbahor , was absolutely brilliant in Uzbekistan goal.