The
1972 Asian Championship took place with six participating teams. Thailand (who
also had hosted the 1966 and 1970 Asian Games) played qualifying games prior to
Israel withdrawing as hosts and Thailand taking their place. Other than defending
champions Iran (coached by former player Ranjbar), Cambodia, Iraq, Kuwait and
South Korea took part with them being split up in two groups of three for the first
round. Given that the winner of this tournament was to be invited to take part
in Brazil’s Minicopa, all teams were keen on claiming gold. In order to decide
seeding, teams faced off against each other prior to the start of the
tournament.
In
a game in which both teams missed a penalty kick (Iran's was taken by keeper Hejazi who skied his shot), Iran defeated Cambodia 2-0
with goals from Kalani and Iranpak to be placed in Group A with Thailand and
Iraq. Due to the lackluster effort by both sides, the Thai crowd largely booed throughout the game.
In the first game Iran defeated Iraq with a hattrick by Kalani.
With Iraq and
Thailand playing to a draw, Iran’s advancement to the semifinals was certain
although their game against Thailand would determine their placement. It has
been rumored that Iran had been approached to throw their game against
Thailand. Defender Kashani claimed that the night before the game, Mostafa
Makri, head of the Iranian Federation, had a meeting with Kashani and a few
other players in their hotel room and requested that Iran lose the game against
the hosts to ensure that they advance but the players pride and motivation prevented
this plan to take place. Thailand initially appeared to be closing on a victory
thanks to a double from Prapon Tantariyanond, leading 2-0 by the 70th
minute. However, in the final ten minutes of the game, Jabbari took charge and
scored a hattrick, giving Iran a 3-2 win and 1st place in the group.
In
the semifinals Iran disposed of Cambodia with a 2-1 score and goals by Iranpak
and Ghelichkhani.
The Final was against South Korea.
Following a goalless first half, Jabbari broke the deadlock in the 48th minute.
Park Lee-chun would fire Korea Republic level and regulation ended in a 1-1 tie. In the 18th minute of overtime, Kalani scored what turned out to be the game winner. With the 2-1 victory, Iran earned its second Asian Championship while Kalani ended up as top scorer with five goals.
Iran roster: Hejazi, Mavaddat, Kashani, Arab, Ashtiani, Kargarjam, Ghelichkhani, Monajati, Ghorab, Halvaei, Parvin, Jabbari, Sharafi, Mazloomi, Kalani, Iranpak. Coach: Ranjbar
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