Saudi Arabia came from behind to collect a precious three points in Tehran after beating Asia’s other powerhouse Iran 2-1 in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday.
Iran, seeking a fourth appearance in the finals, are now fourth in Group B with six points from five games, while the Saudis leapfrogged their rivals with seven points from five matches.
The two Asian powerhouses met at Tehran’s Azadi Stadium, filled almost to its 100,000 capacity.
PHOTO: AP
Enthusiastic home fans chanted from the outset: “As always, Iran wins again,” and waved Iranian flags. However, their hopes were shattered with the loss, that allowed the Saudis to leapfrog them into third spot.
Iran drew first blood in the 56th minute when Masoud Shojaei, who plays at Osasuna in Spain, fired home a screamer from outside the penalty area to send the home crowd wild.
But defensive mix-ups cost the Iranians dear as the Saudis suddenly turned things around.
Ahamd al-Hazazi scored in the 78th minute from inside the box off a pass from Naif al-Dusari and Osama al-Harbi scored the winner in the 87th minute, stunning the fans into silence, with some chanting slogans against Iran national team coach Ali Daei and demanding his sacking.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who is an avid player and fan, entered the stadium after 30 minutes amid cheers.
Newly appointed Saudi coach Jose Peseiro told reporters he was happy to secure an away win.
“Our players were able to take their chances and we secured a sweet victory in Tehran, which was like playing in an extraordinary situation,” said Peseiro, in reference to the massive crowd. “Currently both Koreas, Iran and we have the opportunity to make it to the World Cup finals, but I am telling you, we will fight to the end.”
Daei reacted angrily when he was inundated by reporters asking whether he would resign after his lackluster performance to date as national team coach.
“You reporters are not in a position to talk about my resignation. This is football — we lost to the Saudis on two accidents, but you should know that you can not mark the day I resign,” Daei said. “I accept the [responsibility for the] defeat and I apologize to the Iranian people. But we still have the opportunity to make it to the World Cup.”
Iran appeared in the World Cup finals in 1978, 1998 and 2006, but their only win to date was over the US in France in 1998.
The US’ bid for a fourth consecutive CONCACAF Nations League title came to a stunning end as they fell 1-0 to Panama after a stoppage-time goal from Cecilio Waterman on Thursday in Inglewood, California. Despite dominating possession, the US struggled to break down a resilient Panama side for long periods. Panama spent the bulk of the match defending, but pounced on a giveaway by the US before substitute forward Waterman sent a shot from the right side of the area to the bottom left corner late in stoppage time. Up next for Panama in tomorrow’s final is to be Mexico, who beat
DOMINATION: McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris took the first two spots as Mercedes’ George Russell and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen followed them Australian Oscar Piastri yesterday roared back from season-opening disappointment in his home race by winning the Formula One Chinese Grand Prix from pole position in a McLaren one-two with championship-leading teammate Lando Norris. George Russell finished third for Mercedes, ahead of Red Bull’s reigning champion Max Verstappen with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Saturday’s sprint winner Lewis Hamilton fifth and sixth respectively. Piastri’s win denied Norris a third victory in a row, including last year’s Abu Dhabi season-ender, but left champions McLaren unbeaten in two races so far this year. “Mega job guys. The car was very, very lovely,” Piastri said
TO FINAL FOUR: France had 22 chances and scored two goals, while Croatia could not manage a single shot on target in 120 minutes. Les Bleus won 5-4 on penalties France on Sunday overturned a two-goal deficit to qualify for the UEFA Nations League Final Four by eliminating Croatia 5-4 on penalties after a 2-0 victory in their quarter-final second leg at the Stade de France. Dayot Upamecano scored the winning spot kick in a nail-biting shootout in which France keeper Mike Maignan made two saves, sending Les Bleus into the semi-finals against Spain. Michael Olise opened the scoring and Ousmane Dembele doubled their lead 10 minutes from time to send the tie into extra time after their 2-0 loss in Split, Croatia, on Thursday. France had a total of
BRING THE NOISE: Brazil’s Fonseca attracted a boisterous crowd that brought such dominant soccer-style energy the referee switched to Portuguese to ask for quiet Australia’s Alex de Minaur on Monday put an end to Brazilian talent Joao Fonseca’s challenge at the Miami Open, outlasting the 18-year-old 5-7, 7-5, 6-3 in an enthralling contest. Attendance on stadium court had been sparse throughout the day, but the Hard Rock Stadium turned into a mini-Maracana Stadium for Fonseca’s match, complete with Brazilian flags and soccer-style chanting. Fonseca brought his energetic brand of ultra-attacking tennis, but De Minaur was up to the challenge, coping with blistering forehands and a partisan crowd. Such was the dominance of Fonseca’s raucous support that the referee switched to Portuguese for his appeals for quiet. However, De
RSS