Iran beat UAE in the Asian World Cup group

Tehran:

In the Asian World Cup group first-leg playoff, Iran has managed a home victory over the UAE. Iran got as many as 22 chances but scored only once for the win. Dominating the play from the start, Iran seemed certain to open the scoring after 24-minutes but Mehrdad Minavand whistled his shot high and wide as Iran missed the first of a number of opportunities. The poor luck of the home side continued 11 minutes from the break when Ali Karimi's run through the defence resulted in a shot that once again struck the woodwork. Five minutes later, Karimi had another chance from a free kick, but Abdulla saved again. Iranian persistence was finally rewarded after a corner was rather feebly punched by Abdulla straight to Karim Bagheri, whose long- range effort flew through a crowd of players into the goal. Iran was leading 1-0 at half time. Just before full time, the Emirates gave the Iranian fans cause for concern when Yaser Salem found himself with an angle on goal but he rifled his shot wide. That was as close to scoring as the UAE would get and as the final whistle blew Iran took the match 1-0.