AFC – Iran and Iraq outlined their title
credentials as they cruised into the semi-finals of the West Asian Games
with the Iranians crushing hosts Qatar 4-1 and their neighbours going one
better with a 5-1 mauling of Saudi Arabia.
Iran had the chance to take an early lead when Qatar’s Johar Abdulaziz Al
Kaabi handled the ball in the penalty box and Javad Nekounam grasped the
opportunity, converting the sixth minute spot kick.
The young Qataris refused to let their heads drop after the early setback
and restored parity just four minutes after the Iran skipper had opened the
scoring when Khalfan Ibrahim struck home a free-kick from the edge of the
area.
Iran retook the lead in the 33rd minute through Mohsen Arzani but Qatar
given a boost when Sepehr Heydari Chaharlang was sent off for his second
bookable offence in first half injury time.
But as the home side pressed to make their numerical advantage count Behshad
Ahrandjani made it 3-1 to Iran on the hour mark before a 76th minute Pejman
Montazeri header completed the scoring.
Iraq booked their ticket to the last four in even more emphatic fashion as
they swept aside an out of sorts Saudi Arabia.
Haidar Hussain got the ball rolling with a ninth minute header before Emad
Mohammed, no stranger to Qatar thanks to his time served in the Q-League,
doubled Iraq’s advantage 11 minutes later.
Trailing by two, the Saudis sparked to life and thought they had pulled a
goal back in the 26th minute only to have it ruled out for offside.
Four minutes later Nashat Akram, who plays his club football in Saudi Arabia
for 2006 AFC Champions League qualifiers Al Shabab, scored with a blistering
drive to send the Iraqis into the break three goals to the good.
Younis Mahmoud, a striker with Qatari side Al Khor, netted Iraq’s fourth 12
minutes after the interval and while Naif Al Qadi reduced the deficit Iraq’s
four goal advantage was soon restored when Mahmoud headed home his second in
the 78th minute.
