Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tehran: Qatar held Iran to goalless draw at the Azadi Stadium on Tuesday as both sides improved to four points in Group A of the final round of qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Iran captain Javad Nekonam hit the crossbar for the home side in the first half, while Qatar’s naturalised Brazilian defender Marcone (Marcone Amaral Costa Júnior) was denied by goalkeeper Mahdi Rahmati before half-time of an evenly contested opening 45 minutes.
The home side stepped up their search for a breakthrough in the second half and enjoyed a greater share of possession but were unable to find a breakthrough to add to their 1-0 win over Uzbekistan in Tashkent.
Qatar, who shared a 2-2 draw in Tehran on the final Matchday during the third round Group Stage at the end of February, added to their June 3 win over Lebanon after bouncing back from Friday’s 4-1 home defeat by Group A leaders Korea Republic, who earlier beat Lebanon 3-0 to move two points clear at the top of the table with a 100% record.
“As I expected, it was a tough match and only in one direction. The traffic of players was only on one side of the pitch and that was in Qatar’s half,” said Iran’s former Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz.
“Although we played with full concentration during the 90 minutes, we didn’t succeed to find the net. What was important for us was that they couldn’t create any chances except one which was well saved by our keeper Mehdi Rahmati.
“Qatar had good strikers, but we were able to keep them under our control. Most of the players in our recent camps have been the same, so it shows I know Iranian players well.
“Qatar’s strategy was to defend first and then devise counterattacks if they found any chances.”
Following a tight start to the contest Iran were unlucky not to open the scoring after 30 minutes as a hooked effort from captain Nekonam from Hossein Mahni’s long throw into the penalty area came back off the crossbar.
Iran goalkeeper Rahmati was then called into action to push away Marcone’s downward header from Fabio Cesar’s inviting right wing corner 10 minutes before the break.
The home side dominated possession in second half in front of a bumper crowd at Azadi Stadium with Al Karimi and Anderanik Teymourian driving Iran forward, but frustratingly for Iran Qasem Burhan remained largely untested in the Qatar goal.
"I knew before the game that we'd get a good result against Iran and the point we have taken from Tehran is due to my players' personality," said Qatar's Brazilian coach Paulo Autuori.
"We spotted most of our weaknesses after the loss against Korea Republic and made the necessary changes before facing Iran. That's why we have taken a point from Tehran with us and I congratulate my players for that."
Photo: AFP