Iran Sees Off Lebanon 1-0, Takes Over Jordan

Mehr News – Iran sent the Lebanese packing with a 1-0 loss in their second-leg qualifier of the 13th Asian Cup here Friday.
Veteran skipper Ali Daei headed home a well-flighted cross from left winger Alireza Vahedi-Nikbakht in the 22nd, helping Iran take over once Group D leader Jordan on goal difference.

Iran came close to the second two minutes into the injury time as Nikbakht outjumped the Lebanese defender in the six-yard area to hit midfielder Hamed Kavianpour’s diagonal cross against the near post.

Daei tied with the world’s top goalscorer Ferenc Pushkas from Hungary, who netted 84 times in national games.

The Iranian striker squandered scoring opportunities in the Lebanon clash.

He sent out a superb pass from substitute Ali Samereh in the 65th minute, headed a Nikbakht cross against the back side of Lebanon’s net four minutes later, side-footed a rebound from close range off the woodwork on 73 minutes, and headed a delightful cross from Samereh wide above the crossbar 14 minutes form the time.

Midfielder Iman Mob’ali cupped his face in his hands in the 73rd minute when his curling free-kick was bounced back by the post.

Iran’s Croat manager Branko Ivankovic and players in the dugout blamed hoodoo as the diving Samereh’s header shaved the crossbar in the 84th minute.

Hereunder come the latest group D results and standings (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points):

Group D

Iran 5 4 0 1 13 5 12

Jordan 5 4 0 1 10 6 12

Lebanon 6 1 1 2 2 8 4

N. Korea 4 0 1 3 2 8 1

Results:

04/09/03: North Korea 0 Lebanon 1

05/09/03: Iran 4 Jordan 1

26/09/03: Jordan 3 Iran 2

17/10/03: Jordan 1 Lebanon 0

29/10/03: North Korea 1 Iran 3

03/11/03: Lebanon 1 North Korea 1

12/11/03: Lebanon 0 Jordan 2

12/11/03: Iran vs. North Korea (match abandoned due to crowd trouble after 60 minutes with Iran leading 1-0)

19/11/03: Jordan 3 North Korea 0

19/11/03: Lebanon 0 Iran 3

28/11/03: Iran 1 Lebanon 0