Iran victory overshadowed by death and injury to fans
TEHRAN- (Iran Sports Press): Reports from Tehran indicate that so far 3 fans have died, and 32 more hospitalised with injuries, in a stampede after completion of Iran's World Cup Qaulifier against Japan during which 130,000 fans were packed into a 100,000 capacity Azadi Stadium.
On the pitch Vahid Hashemian scored a brace as Iran beat Japan 2-1 in an extraordinary game to move top of group B with 4 points from 2 games.
Ali Azim-Araghi
Vahid Hashemian scored once in each half to guarantee Iran their first win in Group B of Asian World Cup qualifiers in front of 130,000 fans who packed Tehran’s Azadi Stadium earlier today.Iran fielding the same side that started the match against Bahrain in its opening World Cup qualifier faced a Japan team which was welcoming back Ono and Hidetoshi Nakata.Iran started slowly, and it was Japan who tested Iran’s goal keeper first. However, soon after, Iran took control of the game and came close twice with Zandi and Mahdavikia both having efforts on target. The home fans didn’t have to wait long for the first goal of the match as Hashemian put Iran 1-0 after 25 minutes. Japan failed to clear the ball after a free kick taken by Mahdavikia, and Hashemian pounced on the loose ball in Japan’s penalty area,and hit the roof of the net with a powerful right foot shot.
Japan put some pressure on Iran’s goal towards the end of the first half with Ono and Nakata going close. Iran was forced to make a substitution just before the break, as Ali Daei pulled a groin muscle and had to be replaced by Navidkia. Iran could have gone in to the break 2-0 up, but Mahdavikia’s shot went inches wide as the two teams finished the first half with the score 1-0 in favour of Iran. Japan started the second half on front foot, and pushed Iran back. Mirzapour was forced to produce a spectacular save from Nakamura in the 51st minute, but soon after Japan managed to equalize. A cross by Nakata wasn’t cleared by Nosrati, and the ball reached Fukunishi who scored from close range to make the score 1-1 after 67 minutes.
Iran who desperately needed all the three points of this match piled on the pressure on Japan goal and got the reward they deserved in the 75th minute. A pass by Mahdavikia reached Karimi on the right edge of the penalty area, who sent a perfect cross to Hashemian who scored his, and Iran’s second with a precise header. Iran could have added further goals in the final 15 minutes as Japan lost all hope of getting any points from thegame,andHashemian should have scored his third, but his effort was cleared off the line after a great move by Kaabi on the right. The game finished 2-1.Iran move up to the top of Group B after this win, with 4 points from 2 games.Iran is joined by Bahrain at the top with identical record to Iran. Japan are third with 3 points, and DPR Korea are 4th still in search of their first points.
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