FIVE THINGS LEARNT FROM QATAR VS IRAN WORLD CUP QUALIFIER

BETTER TEAM WON

Iran coach Carlos Queiroz and his Qatar counterpart Jorge Fossati engaged in negative thinking at the post-match Press conference, but both of them rightly agreed that the visitors were the better team. Qatar had more possession (60.4) and had their chances, but Iran, whose players boasted a stronger physique, made them sweat in the first half with their aerial passes. Once they went in front in the 52nd, things became easier for Queiroz’s men. A desperate Fossati brought on more attacking players at the expense of defence only to allow Iran a free run in the middle towards the end.

HUNTING GROUND

Mehdi Taremi, who plays for Persepolis, had scored a sixth-minute goal against Al Rayyan in their AFC Champions League Group D match at the Al Sadd Stadium the week before last, but the Iranian outfit ended up as losers despite dominating the game. Back at the same venue with his national team, Taremi once again broke the goalless stalemate, in the 52nd minute, latching on to a Karim Ansari long ball on the edge of the box and calmly slotting it home. Taremi’s team-mates did well to defend the lead this time and ensure he ended up as a winner this time around.

PALE SHADOW

Rodrigo Tabata had scored twice and provided a successful assist in Rayyan’s win over Persepolis, but he found the going tough once again in national team colours. The Iran game was crucial for Qatar, who wanted the Rayyan captain to fully bloom, but he could not quite find his footing. The Brazil-born player tried his luck from set-pieces, but he could not be as impactful as he is with his club. Critics have once again questioned how worthy an investment the 36-year-old has been for the national team even as he continues to remain brilliant for his club.

MELLIFLUOUS CHANTS!

Queiroz’s relationship with the Iran Football Federation (IFF) has always been a topic of discussion in the local media, with the former Real Madrid coach providing the latest twist in tale last January by announcing his decision to quit. Media reports strongly link him with a return to South Africa’s helm but the IFF is reportedly hesitant to leave him. Team Melli have done well under Queiroz, who took charge in 2011, and are currently Asia’s top-ranked team. The sight of nearly 1,000 fans chanting his name after the match against Qatar should have been an encouraging sight for Queiroz, who blew a kiss to them in return. They feel he is the right man to guide them to the Russia World Cup.

SUBDUED SARDAR

His exploits with FC Rostov in the Champions League games against Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid last November had elevated Sardar Azmoun to a star striker’s status. The 22-year-old, known for his speed and strength, did come up with his flashes of brilliance, but overall he was a bit subdued. Azmoun, who had scored a brilliant goal against Qatar at the 2015 Asian Cup in Australia, had the chance to do it yet again in the first half, but checked his run only to see a fine low pass by captain Ehsan Haji traversing the goalmouth, irking the latter. Azmoun had failed to beat goalkeeper Saad Al Sheeb while attempting a close-range shot on another occasion and should have rued his luck as well.