Tehran – World Cup 2018 Qualifying resumed today as Iran took on heavy underdogs India at the Azadi Stadium.
Zob Ahan keeper Mohammad Rashid Mazaheri made his debut in goal for Team Melli. Many fans were curious as to who Carlos Queiroz would select to start in goal considering that Naft Tehran keeper Alireza Beiranvand was unavailable due to suspension. Queiroz had a choice between Mazaheri and Tractor Sazi keeper Mohammad Reza Akhbari; Queiroz went with the more experienced Mazaheri.
The Zob Ahan keeper looked great in the Asian Champions League last week at Bunyodkor but today he was not tested much against India.
Iran were not particularly very impressive today but they did enough to secure the three points in front of their home fans. Early on, Iran seemed to be troubled by the Indians playing physically in a change from their last meeting in Bangalore in September 2015.
Captain Ehsan Hajsafi gave Iran the lead from the penalty spot in the 33rd minute after a dangerous foul was committed by defender Bikash Jairu against Alireza Jahanbakhsh in the penalty area.
Just after the hour mark, Sardar Azmoun doubled the lead as India failed to clear the ball on a corner kick. Azmoun made no mistake as he chested the loose ball in the penalty area and volleyed it in past Indian keeper Sandhu. The striker from Gonbad Kavus continues to find the net and always seems to be in the right place at the right time.
Five minutes later Hajsafi converted another penalty kick after a hand ball in the penalty area to make it 3-0. In the 78th minute, Alireza Jahanbakhsh put on the finishing touches with a nice solo effort to give Iran a 4-0 victory.
The win for Iran keeps them in the top position of Group D with seventeen points. In the other group match, Oman defeated Guam 1-0 in Muscat to stay three points behind TM.
Iran have virtually wrapped up the top spot in Group D and more importantly, a spot in the final round of World Cup Qualifying. Next, Iran will entertain Oman on 29 March at the Azadi Stadium.