Disappointing Iran down Maledives

PFDC - DOHA, Iran's Olympic team looked like anything but title contenders as they defeated the Maledives by 3-1 in their 2006 Asian Games opener on Wednesday evening.

Iran of course dominated the proceedings throughout the game against the lowly rated opposition, however, apart from defensive midfielder Maziar Zare none of Brazilian coach Rene Simoes' players knew to convince.

Nevertheless, Iran took the lead after 17 minutes when Arash Borhani headed home a cross from Behshad Yavarzadeh from close range.

A few minutes later Borhani could have scored a carbon copy of his first goal, however, this time he headed Yavarzadeh's cross narrowly wide.

"Team Omid" finally doubled the lead in minute 22, when thanks to Maledives' goalkeeper's only blunder today a Zare-freekick from far out found it's way into the net.

Iran remained rather harmless for the rest of the first period, just Mehrdad Oladi wasted one big scoring chance when he received the ball inside the box but hit his shot straight at the keeper.

The Maledives almost pulled one back just moments into second half, however, Fazeel couldn't keep his cool alone in front of goal and hammered the ball over the crossbar. On the other side Mehrdad Oladi's effort from the edge of the box could be saved.

Oladi missed another golden opportunity when he curved around the goalkeeper, but had to see his effort from tight angle being blocked by a defender.

Both sides appeared to be satisfied with the result until a terrible blunder from Hassan Roudbarian, who failed to control a backpass by Jalal Hosseini, allowed Ali to make it 1-2 in minute 78.

However, substitute midfielder Adel Kolahkaj restored the two-goal advantage when he slotted the loose ball into the net after Maledives' goalkeeper had parried a shot from Arash Borhani in minute 86.

Although Iran will surely be able to win their group even with such weak performances, it's doubtful that even the semfinal stage can be reached without an improved display by Simoes' boys.

Iran - Maledives 3-1 (2-0)

2006 Asian Games football tournament group stage, Doha

Goals:
1-0 Borhani (17' / Assist by Yavarzadeh)
2-0 Zare (22')
2-1 Ali (78')
3-1 Kolahkaj (86' / Borhani)

Bookings: S. Rezaei

Iran's lineup: Roudbarian - Arzani, S. Rezaei (46' Montazeri), Hosseini, Akbari (76' Chahjouei) - K. Heydari, M. Zare, Mohammad Nouri, Yavarzadeh (85' Kolahkaj) - Oladi, Borhani