Iran Beats Uzbekistan in World Cup Qualifiers | ||
Iran Beats Uzbekistan in World Cup Qualifiers The Iranian national football team defeated hosts Uzbekistan 1-0 in injury time in the two countries' opening game of the fourth round of the AFC 2014 World Cup qualification tournament. The Uzbeks dominated the match in Tashkent and had the better of the opportunities throughout the game, but failed to convert their chances into hard currency. The game was thus headed toward a goalless draw until three minutes into stoppage time Iranian striker Mohammad Reza Khalatbari latched onto a fine ball produced by Karim Ansarifard from the right to slide the ball into the bottom right corner. Uzbekistan will feel that luck and justice both eluded them on the day after referee Yuichi Nishimura did not award a goal in the 72nd minute for Odil Akhmedov's close-range effort which appeared to cross the line. Ten teams, drawn into two groups, have made it to the fourth round of the AFC 2014 World Cup qualifiers. While Iran, South Korea, Qatar, Lebanon and Uzbekistan compete in Group A of the games, Group B consists of Japan, Australia, Iraq, Jordan and Oman. | ||
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