Iran defeats Bahrain 2-0 at AFC Asian Cup
Xinhua, January 11, 2015 Adjust font size:
Grabbing two corner opportunities, Iran defeated Bahrain 2-0 in Group C's second match at the AFC Asian Cup here on Sunday.
As Asia's highest-ranked team, Iran presented their strong attacking ability, having 14 shots on target and seven inside the box.
Iran wasted several chances in the first half. In the 20th minute, they had a huge miss from forward Ashkan Dejagah, who was one on one with Bahrain's goalkeeper Sayed Mohamed Abbas, but the shot was blocked by the keeper.
Bahrain, conceding only one goal in their qualification campaign for the Asian Cup, showed a good defense in the normal time of the first half.
On the stroke of half time, Bahrain partially cleared a corner through Abbas's punch, but Haji Safi was immediately onto the rebound.
The defender controlled with his left foot and struck with his right, firing a brilliant volley into the top corner to raise the volume inside the Melbourne ground.
In the 71st minute, Iran made it two goals up through Masoud Shojaei, who volleyed a corner into the net. Endi