Iran Victorious over Hong Kong in World Cup Asian Qualifiers
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran revived its hopes with a crucial 3-1 win over Hong Kong in Group C of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 on Thursday.
It was a crucial victory for Iran who had suffered consecutive defeats to Iraq and Bahrain before the Asian Qualifiers were halted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The win took Iran to nine points as they stayed in sight of group leader Iraq and Bahrain, who they will face next on Monday.
In the 23rd minute, Ali Gholizadeh displayed some impressive footwork in the final third to dribble past Sun Ming Him and beat custodian Yapp from an acute angle to open the scoring at the Muharraq Stadium.
Iran’s lead was doubled in the 61st minute as an exchange of passes led to Mehdi Taremi placing the ball for Vahid Amiri, whose strike deflected off Hong Kong captain Huang Yang before settling in the back of the net.
Karim Ansarifard made in 3-0 in the 84th minute with Cheng Siu Kwan scoring a consolation a minute later as Hong Kong now looks to revive its hopes against Iraq on June 12.
