'As expected, strong' Iran ranks first in Group C (Roundup) in all three games

UAE lost 0-1 against Iran in the final third Group C match of the 2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Qatar Asian Cup at Education City Stadium in Alayyan, Qatar, at 0 a.m. on the 24th (Korea time).

However, the UAE ranked second in its group with one win, one draw and one loss (four points) to advance to the round of 16. The third-ranked Palestine also posted one win, one draw and one loss (four points), but the UAE ranked higher in difference of gains and losses. Iran ranked first in the group. As a traditional powerhouse in the Middle East, the UAE had a perfect record of all three games. Hong Kong, which was classified as the weakest in the tournament, was at the bottom of Group C with all three losses (zero points).

Bento, who led Korea to the round of 16 at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, continued his success story in the UAE. The UAE was having a hard time until Bento's appointment. He was eliminated in the Gulf Cup held in January last year as the lowest ranking member of Group B (1 draw and two losses). However, after Bento took the helm, he has recorded seven wins, one draw and two losses in 10 games. He also advanced to the round of 16 at the Asian Cup.

They are quite lucky. The UAE will meet Tajikistan, the second in Group A, in the round of 16 best teams. The UAE is ahead in overall performance. Based on FIFA rankings alone, the UAE ranks 64th and Tajikistan ranks 106th. The country deserves a better performance than that. Iran, the No. 1 player in Group C, will face one of the third-ranked teams in Group A, B and F in the round of 16.

Bento, who was sent off in the previous match, watched the match from the stands. The UAE had a 5-4-1 formation. Yaha al-Gasani (Shabab al-Ali Dubai) took part as the front line striker. Iran had a 4-2-3-1 formation. A large number of players from European leagues participated. Sadar Azmoun, who is playing for AS Roma (Italy), and FC Porto (Portugal) striker Mehdi Taremi took charge.

Iran overwhelmed the match from the beginning. Iran targeted the opponent's goal by connecting several passes through the back space of the UAE's defense following Azmoun's header shot from a free kick situation in the eighth minute of the first half. The UAE avoided losing a point amid performance by goalkeeper Khalid Asah (Al-Ain).

In the 24th minute of the first half, Taremi's shot slightly missed the goal. Another Iranian striker, Azmoun, also chased after and tried to push the ball in, but the opponent's defense cleared it first.

Iran, however, scored the first goal after knocking on the goal several times. As expected, two players from European leagues solved the problem. Taremi got a critical chance when Azmoun sent her a pass. Then, she calmly shot to shake the net. In the 33rd minute of the first half, Iran's side striker Ali Golizadeh (Lech Pottsnan) shook the net once again. However, it was declared offside and was not recognized as a goal.

Iran was in the mood in the second half as well. The UAE defended itself by using hand-to-hand defense. After hardships, the UAE also had a chance to score a goal. It won a penalty kick at 16 minutes in the second half. However, Al Gasani, who played as a kicker, failed to complete it. The penalty kick was blocked by the goalkeeper.

Rather, Iran's mood was elevated further. Taremi's extra goal scored the team 2-0 in the 20th minute of the second half. He boldly fired shots even when the opponent team's defense was in front of him, ending the game. Mohamed Moevi (FC Rostov), who joined as a substitute, seemed to score a goal in the 36th minute of the second half, but was ruled offside after VAR (video reading).

The mood got hotter at the end of the second half. With 13 minutes to go, Al Gasani scored a comeback goal. It was a huge goal for the UAE. Thanks to Al Gasani's goal, Al Gasani ranked second in the group on both sides. They failed to tie the match, but it was worth more than a chase goal. In the end, Iran won the match. The UAE also lost the match, but made it to the round of 16, fulfilling its goal.

Meanwhile, the Palestinians defeated Hong Kong 3-0 in the final group match. They could have targeted the second place in their group, but their hope was dashed by the UAE's last goal. The UAE had a margin of plus one and Palestine zero. It was a narrow difference.

In the match, Palestinian frontline striker Oday Davaf (Sporting Charloi) scored multiple goals. Side striker Zayed Quanbard also scored a goal. Palestine will have to wait and see if it will advance to the round of 16.

https://www.outlookindia.com/outlook-spotlight/2023%EB%85%84-11%EC%9B%94-%EB%A9%94%EC%9D%B4%EC%A0%80-%ED%86%A0%ED%86%A0%EC%82%AC%EC%9D%B4%ED%8A%B8-%EC%88%9C%EC%9C%84-%EC%B6%94%EC%B2%9C-%ED%86%A0%ED%86%A0-%EC%95%88%EC%A0%84%EB%86%80%EC%9D%B4%ED%84%B0-top15-news-332207