Iran wins WAFF championship for the 3rd time.

[maij]

Team Melli Iran won its third WAFF championship by defeating Iraq 2-1 in the final match in Amman International Stadium. First half goals by Hossein Badamaki and Hashim Beikzadeh sealed the victory for Iran while a late consolation penalty by Ahmed Sadir ensured a thrilling finales to the match.

Eman Mobali was sent off after two quick yellow cards in succession in the second half . Iran played the next half an hour with 10 players and endured the increasing Iraqi pressure. The heroics of Hassan Roudbarian against the powerful offensive line of the Iraqis was one of the main reasons Iran won this encounter. The solid defense by Team Melli with clever manipulation of the ball by the midfield players ensured that the Iraq players offenses break down , and any proliferations was handled by Roudbarian in a splendid manner.

In the beginning of the match , Iran attacked with all force and it was only a matter of minutes when Noor Sabri’s goal, the Iraq goalkeeper who plays for Mes Kerman in the Iranian league was threatened. In the 9th minute a clever pass from the right flank by Mehdi Rajabzadeh to Hossein Badamaki enabled the Perspolis forward to turn and volley the ball right in the ceiling of the Iraqi goalkeeper.

More attacks were to follow and in a similar manner from the right flank , Eman Mobali found Hashim Beikzadeh with a diagonal ball . Beikzadeh dribbled past his marker and unleashed a powerful shot that deceived the Iraqi goalkeeper and score the second for Iran.

In the second match , the Iraqi’s elected an all out attack policy, but some solid defending by the Iranian defense line ensured that Iran keeps the comfortable two goals margin until late in the match when a penalty resulted in the only goal for Iraq.
The thrilling final few minutes was actioned packed where Roudbarian excellent reflexes ensured that Iran maintains the result and win its third WAFF championship..

[Farhad40]

good read.

[hadi_ak]

Great article but it was not mobali which sent the pass it was sh. Rezaei for the second goal