Iran Defeats Saudi Arabia in World Cup QualifierIran defeated major rival Saudi Arabia 2-0 in a World Cup Asian qualifier group A match Friday, showing teeth to rest of the A groupers.Captain of the Iranian team Ali Daei scored two goals in the 54th and 64th minute of the second half, turning himself again into the national hero. Daei's faultless penalty shot gave a strong boost to the hosting Iranian team, which was hailed by 100 thousand audience all the way through the game in west Tehran's Azadi Sports Complex. The Iranian team controlled much of the game, refereed by Simon Micailiof of Australia. The referee showed a second yellow cards to the Saudi Al Saqri after he fouled against Iran's budding midfield Ali Karimi, sending the unconvinced Saudi out of the derby and turning the remaining match into unbalanced 10-11. The ten-man Saudi team proved unable to defend fierce attacks launched both from left and right wings of the Iranian team. Daei, having served the Iranian national team for 94 games, captured a chance by a cool fire into the net kept by Saudi's Babakr, crushing the West Asian No.1. The Iranian Majlis (parliament) speaker Mehdi Karrubi attended the Friday game with several of ministers. The Iranian national team has to play seven more games before being qualified for the 2002 World Cup finals. |
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