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Queiroz satisfied as Iran begins Asian Cup with victory

Xinhua, January 11, 2015 Adjust font size:

Iran manager Carlos Queiroz has praised his side for overcoming the "difficult" challenge of Bahrain in their Asian Cup opener in Melbourne on Sunday.

The top-ranked Asian team going into the tournament, Iran was forced to rely on a stunning goal from Ehsan Haji Safi in first-half stoppage time to break the deadlock against a plucky Bahraini team.

Masoud Shojaei then sealed the victory midway through the second period, converting another volleyed opportunity to delight the 17,000-strong Melbourne crowd, which consisted mainly of vocal Iranian supporters.

"The game was difficult, as we expected," Queiroz told reporters after the match.

"Bahrain started the game better than us in the first 10 minutes, until we settled down. It was necessary to play with full concentration and to stop the movements of Bahrain.

"After 10 minutes, we started to play our game. We started to create opportunities and we should score earlier. After the first 10 minutes, we controlled the game and we created the best opportunities in the game.

"We scored and we deserved to win the game."

Although it was just the sixth match of the Asian Cup, Haji Safi's effort in first-half stoppage time will go down as an early contender for the Goal of the Tournament.

Controlling the ball with his left foot and striking with his right, the defender hit a sweet 20-yard volley into the top corner to raise the decibels inside the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.

Although it took Iran until the stroke of half time to break the deadlock, Queiroz said it was a goal worth waiting for.

"I would like to praise Haji Safi's fantastic goal that he scored tonight," Queiroz continued. "It was an unbelievable goal that would light up any football stadium in the world.

"The goals are always welcome, whether they're in the first minute or the last. We will always celebrate a goal.

"It was a relief for our team because we should score earlier."

Bahrain manager Marjan Eid also praised his side's performance, suggesting that two lapses in concentration was all it took to throw away the three points.

"We played a good game, but had some mistakes and Iran scored two goals from these mistakes," Eid said after the match.

"There is only one chance in the first half and they scored. The goals are scored from mistakes, not by them (Iran) making chances." Endi