Jordanian players celebrating their first goal

TEHRAN: Three-time champions Iran will clash with Jordan in the final of the West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) Championship on Friday after both teams easily won their respective semi-final encounters.

A goal in each half against Syria from Kianosh Rahmati (6 penalty) and Gholamreza Rezaee (53) sealed Team Melli’s berth in their fourth final after wins earlier in 2000, 2004 and last year.

Their opponents Jordan, who lost in the 2002 final to Iraq, conquered Qatar 3-0, thanks to strikes from Hassouna Al Sheikh (45), Amer Deeb (71) and Odai Al Saify (90+2).

A victory in the final would prove to be the right tonic for Ali Daei’s men as they prepare for the upcoming final round of Asian qualifiers for the 2010 FIFA World Cup where they have been grouped with DPR Korea, Korea Republic, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Iran open their World Cup campaign against Saudi Arabia on September 6.