Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tehran: Islamic Republic of Iran kicked off their FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 preparations by defeating Sierra Leone 4-0 in a friendly at the Azadi Stadium on Saturday.
Mohammad Reza Khanzadeh gave Iran the lead just 14 minutes into the match and Asia's top ranked team doubled their lead two minutes later when Ali Gholizadeh scored with a long range effort.
Kaveh Rezaei ensured victory was sealed when he added Iran's third 10 minutes before the half time whistle and Gholizadeh scored his second two minutes into the restart to emphatically clinch the win.
“We had a good match. I would like to thank Sierra Leone national football team because they came here to play us. It was a long trip for them,” Iran head coach Carlos Queiroz said after the match.
Iran, the first Asian team to seal qualification for the FIFA World Cup, are in Group D alongside Spain, Morocco and Portugal in Russia 2018.
They will open their campaign against Morocco on June 15.
Team Melli will then face former champions Spain on June 20 before meeting reigning European champions Portugal five days later.