Iran’s 12th Man – From The Stands Asian Cup – Day 7 Review
The first week of the 2015 Asian Cup concluded with a fabulous night of football, which saw two Group C games which almost wrapped up the group, with the UAE and Iran qualifying through to the last 16. The last round of the group, which will occur on Monday, will feature UAE vs Iran, which shall decide who finishes first and second in the group.
Final Result: UAE 2 (Mabkhout 1’, Hasan OG 73’) defeated Bahrain 1 (John 26’)
It was a dominant UAE which took full control of the game in Canberra and came away with the three points, although their massive amounts of possession did not produce masses of chances. It took a slice of luck late in the game to get them over the line and qualify for the knockout stages.
The UAE got off to a blistering start straight after kick off, scoring the tournaments fastest goal so far when Omar Abdulrahman put through a wonderful ball in behind the Bahrain defence which striker Ali Mabkhout slotted into the net. A stunned Bahrain didn’t do much to prevent the goal from a defensive standpoint and were on the back foot from the point onward.
Both defences looked shaky throughout the game and the UAE allowed Bahrain enough chances to win the game, one which they took advantage of in the 26th minute to equalise. Powerful striker John was able to nod home from a wonderfully delivered set piece to the back post from Faouzi Aaish.
Mohamed Duaij succumbed to a groin injury just as things went from bad to worse for the Bahrain side, who only 5 minutes later conceded an own goal. Omar Abdulrahman put a dangerous cross in from a wide area before Mohamed Hasan accidentally headed into his own goal.
Nigerian born Jaycee John was continually a threat on the offensive end as the game was largely end to end for the match. Mabkhout could have easily given his side a 2 goal lead late on, but the UAE were able to hang on to the one goal advantage, enough to make them the first Group C side through to the knockout stages.
Crowd: 7,925 at Canberra Football Stadium
Canberra produced a beautiful day for the game and people showed up in great numbers, considering a lot of the support was neutrals.
FTS Man of the Match: Omar Abdulrahman.
Not an unusual choice at all, it is clear to see why the afro-bearing playmaker is so highly rated in the Arabian Gulf League in the UAE. At only 23, Abdulrahman was clearly the best player on the pitch, with his through balls, delicate touches and free kick setting up numerous chances for the UAE throughout the match, including assists for both goals.
Final Result: Iran 1 (Azmoun 52’) defeated Qatar 0
It was a piece of brilliance that proved difference between Iran and Qatar in a fantastic game in front of a massive Sydney crowd. Coming off a comfortable win in Melbourne, Iran were firm favourites to win the game, especially against a suspect looking Qatari defence who conceded 4 times against the UAE in the groups first set of matches.
It was a frantic start to the game in which chances were created freely, but finishing was missing from the fixture, the only shot on target managed in the entire game was the decider, which came from Russian based Sardar Azmoun, who received the ball from a rapid Iran counter attack started by a brilliant tackle near the halfway line. He collected beautifully and finished well to in the end give the Iranians the 3 points.
Former Fulham player Ashkan Dejagah looked a class above on the night, but he and Reza Ghoochannejhad were wasteful with the ball while in attack, and their carelessness cost Iran comfortably winning the game. Qatar had their fair share of possession, but just lacked any real potency going forward and will rue the chances that were missed throughout the game as they prepare to travel back to their home country.
Crowd: 22,672 at Stadium Australia
The story from the match was more off the field than on it, with a massive turnout from the Iranian faithful creating plenty of colour and noise in Sydney. Despite having less than half the crowd that attended the Australia games just days before, the Iran-dominated crowd made far more noise and made the game a better all around spectacle.
Is the Iran support the best at this years #AC2015? Credit to @Ari_Charilaou for the photo #QATvIRN pic.twitter.com/wZDLl2jlwo
— From The Stands (@FTSAUS) January 15, 2015
FTS Man of the Match: Sardar Azmoun
In scrappy and low scoring affairs like this game, it is moments of class from the premium players that get a team over the line. Sardar Azmoun provided that with his fabulous turn and intelligent toe-poke finish to give his side and nation the lead and set them up for an encounter to top group C next week.
The Rubin Kazan striker showed exactly why there is apparent interest from large European clubs like Arsenal and Liverpool in scouting the Iranian. He sent Iran fans, not only in the crowd but back home into raptures upon his finish and celebration and will be one to watch in the remainder of the tournament and in the future.
Team Played Points Goal Difference
UAE 2 6 +4
Iran 2 6 +3
Bahrain 2 0 -3
Qatar 2 0 -4
Asian Cup 2015 Attendance Running Total: 225,321
Written by Luke Hall – @hally_101
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