Team Melli Iran 2 - Kuwait 0
Iran 2 - 0 Kuwait
16'[ 1 - 0 ] J. Nekounam
60'[ 1 - 0 ] H. Kaebi
83'[ 1 - 0 ] Gh. Rezaie (off.)
90'[ 2 - 0 ] Gh. Rezaie
Team Melli were in a perilous position midway through their campaign after three consecutive draws but back-to-back away wins against United Arab Emirates and Syria have seen them move into first place and secure their spot place in the final round of the Asian qualifiers with a game to spare.
“Our aim was always to be the top team in the group and so far, we’ve achieved that,” said Daei, whose side have been held to goalless draws in both of their previous games at the Azadi Stadium.
“We want to win in front of our fans but I will probably give a game to players who haven’t played much (in the other qualifiers).”
In addition to long-term absentees Mehdi Mahdavikia and Ali Karimi, Daei has to find replacements for forwards Alireza Vaheidnikbakht and Mohsen Khalili, who sealed Iran’s 2-0 win at Syria last weekend with the second goal.
Midfielder Mojtaba Jabari is also a doubt following the death of his father, but defender Hossein Kaebi has declared himself fit after twisting an ankle against the Syrians.
The Persepolis right back echoed Daei’s words, saying how important it is for Iran to win at the Azadi, which has only seen one victory by the national team since July 2007.
“The fans haven’t seen us win much in Iran recently so all our focus is on beating Kuwait,” Kaebi said.
While Iran are looking forward to the start of the final round in September, Kuwait will bring down the curtain on a disappointing campaign that saw that eliminated last weekend after a heart-breaking 3-2 loss to the UAE.
The team arrived in Tehran on Thursday without midfielders Mohammed Jarragh and Walied Ali and defender Fahad Shaheen, who are all sidelined by injury, while defenders Yaqoub Al Taher and Hussain Fadhel are suspended after picking up two yellow cards.
“We will go into the match without five essential players but we will give all that we can to return to Kuwait with a good result,” said coach Mohammed Ibrahim.
“We came to Tehran to get a good result and I’m confident that the players will put in a good performance.
“We will go into the game without any pressure and hope that we can enjoy a good finish to our qualifying campaign.”
16'[ 1 - 0 ] J. Nekounam
60'[ 1 - 0 ] H. Kaebi
83'[ 1 - 0 ] Gh. Rezaie (off.)
90'[ 2 - 0 ] Gh. Rezaie
Team Melli were in a perilous position midway through their campaign after three consecutive draws but back-to-back away wins against United Arab Emirates and Syria have seen them move into first place and secure their spot place in the final round of the Asian qualifiers with a game to spare.
“Our aim was always to be the top team in the group and so far, we’ve achieved that,” said Daei, whose side have been held to goalless draws in both of their previous games at the Azadi Stadium.
“We want to win in front of our fans but I will probably give a game to players who haven’t played much (in the other qualifiers).”
In addition to long-term absentees Mehdi Mahdavikia and Ali Karimi, Daei has to find replacements for forwards Alireza Vaheidnikbakht and Mohsen Khalili, who sealed Iran’s 2-0 win at Syria last weekend with the second goal.
Midfielder Mojtaba Jabari is also a doubt following the death of his father, but defender Hossein Kaebi has declared himself fit after twisting an ankle against the Syrians.
The Persepolis right back echoed Daei’s words, saying how important it is for Iran to win at the Azadi, which has only seen one victory by the national team since July 2007.
“The fans haven’t seen us win much in Iran recently so all our focus is on beating Kuwait,” Kaebi said.
While Iran are looking forward to the start of the final round in September, Kuwait will bring down the curtain on a disappointing campaign that saw that eliminated last weekend after a heart-breaking 3-2 loss to the UAE.
The team arrived in Tehran on Thursday without midfielders Mohammed Jarragh and Walied Ali and defender Fahad Shaheen, who are all sidelined by injury, while defenders Yaqoub Al Taher and Hussain Fadhel are suspended after picking up two yellow cards.
“We will go into the match without five essential players but we will give all that we can to return to Kuwait with a good result,” said coach Mohammed Ibrahim.
“We came to Tehran to get a good result and I’m confident that the players will put in a good performance.
“We will go into the game without any pressure and hope that we can enjoy a good finish to our qualifying campaign.”
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