Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Bishkek: Bakhtiar Rahmani’s first-leg strike in Tehran proved crucial as Iran advanced to the next phase of qualifying for the 2012 Olympic Games following a goalless draw with Kyrgyzstan in Wednesday’s first-round second leg clash at Spartak Stadium.
Kyrgyzstan went into the game confident of cancelling out the 19-year-old Foolad Ahvaz attacker’s goal, scored 33 minutes into the hard-fought first-leg encounter at the Azadi Stadium, but despite home field advantage Murat Dzhumakeev’s side were unable to find a way past Mohammadrashid Mazaheri in the Iranian goal.
Iran, who are looking to reach the Olympic Games for the first time since 1976, will join ten other Round 1 winners and the 13 highest ranked teams (based on the qualifiers and tournament proper at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing) in the Olympic Football Tournament London 2012 Asian Qualifiers Round 2 draw, which takes place at AFC House on March 30.