IRNA - Iran again stood above Jordan in the
preliminary Group D of the 13th Asian Cup on goal difference as it
beat North Korea 3-1 in Pyongyang Monday.
The two sides played an uneventful first half in an almost empty stadium.
Korean striker Ri K.D. sent a ball on the roof of Iran`s net in a man-to-man challenge with keeper Ebrahim Mirzapour in the 15th
minute.
Skipper Ali Daei headed home an Iman Mob`ali corner 16 minutes later but the goal was ruled out by the Chinese ref due to a foul by
Sepahan midfielder Moharram Navidkia on the Korea`s goalie Ri M.D. in the goalmouth.
The advancing midfielder of visitor Javad Nekounam curled a Navidkia low cross in the 33rd minute, forcing a superb dive from Ri,
who palmed the ball into corner.
Two minutes after the interval, the veteran Daei`s inswinging free-kick was saved by the Korean goalkeeper.
But Ri surrendered in the 49th minute as Iranian playmaker Ali Karimi unleashed a powerful left-foot drive, kissing the top right
of Korea`s net.
The host heaped great pressure on Iran`s woodwork to grab the equalizer.
Defender Mohammad Nosrati deserved a pat on the back in the 53rd minute as he rebounded a ball past Mirzapour in the goalmouth.
Iran paid dear for a goalkeeping blunder in the 64th minute when a cross by Myong S.C. slid the hands of diving Mirzapour, who
presented the equalizer to the almond-eyed players.
But Karimi proved toast of Iran by putting the visitor ahead again in the 79th minute. The international player fired a low
left-foot shot between the legs of keeper Ri to celebrate his own and side`s double.
Korea came close to the second goal but Mirzapour denied Kim, sending back the kick by his stretching leg.
Navidkia poured cold water on Korea`s camp four minutes before the final whistle, scoring the third for Iran by an unstoppable
volley from a tight angle in the left side of the penalty box.
Iran will entertain North Korea in the 100,000-seater Azadi Stadium, 10 km west of Tehran, on November 5.
Hereunder comes the Group D table:
P W D L F A Pts
Iran 3 2 0 1 9 5 6
Jordan 3 2 0 1 5 6 6
Lebanon 2 1 0 1 1 1 3
North Korea 2 0 0 2 1 4 0
