Iran works hard against Hong Kong but advances to the knockout stages

January 19 – Iran press pass A determined Hong Kong 1-0 has advance has THE round of 16 of THE Asian Cup with A game has spare In Band C.

There was always A sense of inevitability about THE result of This match – A thrice champion And central of THE game against THE lowest ranked team In THE tournament – And Iran did prevail but just not THE path he had has been scripted.

Iran often failed has be imposing In A match that did not together THE legumes races with prolonged lull In play. Hong Kong coach Joern Anderson summary he up: "We pushed them, We press, We attack them And A team as Iran doesn't know how has play against We. »

Hong Kong maintained GOOD discipline In THE opening Exchanges against Iran of which coach Amir Ghalenoei strangely omitted As Rome star Sardar Azmoun Since THE departure line up despite manufacturing five changes. They did more that simply keep THE Iranians has arm length And In THE 16th minute Everton Camargo had A wonderful opportunity After Rouzbeh Cheshmi rebel pass was intercepted, but, having round THE goalie, he skied her shooting.

He was always going has be A matter of keeping he tight For Hong Kong And maintain to focus until THE final whistle, but they seemed has unravel When Iran violated their back line.

In THE 24 minute, Mehdi Ghaidi exploited space In THE box has slot THE ball House coldly And SO Iran, without Also a lot effort, were In THE lead. THE in writing had has been on THE wall After Before Shahriar Moghanlou on your mind cannoned disabled THE job minutes earlier.

He seemed only A matter of time Before Iran brand A decisive second aim, but instead, by Andersen team rallied And rejected A second major opportunity, almost wrapped gift by Iran defense following A poor authorisation by Milad Mohammed And A last resort intervention Since Alireza Beiranvand. Chan Siu Kwan completely badly deceived her attempt.

On THE sideline, THE Norwegian director descent desperate, but has THE even time applauded In encouragement. Her team were always very a lot alive And they income has THE bandage bedroom A aim down, THE goalie to prevent Ghaidi Since sneak In A second aim on THE stroke of half-time.

THE second half began with songs of 'We are THE Hong Kong boys' In THE stands Since THE traveling Fans, but on THE not, Iran were In control of THE match even if THE pace barely exposed Hong Kong. Ghalenoei reacted with A triple substitution After THE hour brand – all of Karim Ansarifard, Said Ezatolahi And Mohammed Mohebi future on has provide their team with more energy.

HAS less that should to have has been THE plan. Iran stayed lethargic And uninspired And he was instructive that he took until THE 71st minute For Ramin Rezaeian has provide A moment of hazard Since A together piece. Ghalenoei SO sacrificed star Mehdi Taremi For THE more defensive mind Omid Ebrahimi. Rezaeian should to have ruler THE match For Iran In THE 82nd minute but he struck down her shot pass THE close post.

As THE final whistle blew, Anderson bowed her head In disappointment. Her team had just fallen short, but In reality, he had a lot has be proud of – This was A major improvement Since THE 4-0 hammering they received Since Iran In November And her side had run Iran close.

Ghaedi aim was about THE only emphasize of Team Melli's performance.

With two won Since two, Iran will progress Since THE band, but they to have barely hit high form And THE final band game against THE United Arab Emirates should be THE First of all appropriate test And opportunity has gauge how strong THE Iranians are. Ghalenoei has promised that he will to try out more players against THE United Arab Emirates. Maybe that will Finally ignite Iran campaign.

Contact THE writer of This history has moc.l1705700822labto1705700822ofdlr1705700822owedi1705700822sni@i1705700822tnuk.1705700822ardni1705700822mas1705700822