1984 Asian Championship Qualifiers (August 1984)

Following the relatively mediocre results of the 1982 Asian Games, Iran appointed a new president for its federation. Along with the new president came a new coach in the form of Yavari and Ebrahimi as his assistant. The rule regarding exclusion of players over 27 years old was also reversed. After many years of automatic qualification as a defending champion, host, or both, Iran now had to earn its spot in the finals in a qualification group consisting of Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Philippines, Syria and Thailand with all of the games taking place in Indonesia and the top two teams advancing to the finals.

The qualification phase would be nothing more than a formality. Although in their opening game Bangladesh resisted Iran’s attacks for 65 minutes, but ultimately Iran would demolish Bangladesh 5-0. 

Mohammadkhani, with numerous breakaways and cutting from one foot to the other, scored the first four goals. Straight from the kickoff after his last goal, he stole the ball and fed Derakhshan a ball who perfectly crossed it for Alidoosti who would head in the fifth and final goal. 

Iran would then line up against Syria. 

In the third minute, Alidoosti received a pass with his back to the goal, make a quick turn and buried his shot in the left corner to give Iran the lead. Syria would equalize a minute later with a perfectly placed header off of a corner kick. Alidoosti would come close to once again giving Iran the lead but could not finish Mohammadkhani’s brilliant through-ball. In the 67^th minute a corner by Mokhtarifar prompted an unsuccessful exit by the Syrian keeper for Mohammadkhani to head into the open net and give Iran the lead. In the 76^th minute Alidoosti intercepted a pass back to the Syrian keeper who was left with no choice but to bring Alidoosti down. Alidoosti himself would take the ensuing penalty kick and give Iran an ultimate 3-1 win. 

Iran would then go on to defeat Thailand 5-0. 

Memar poked in the first goal in the 25^th minute while Alidoosti doubled the lead six minutes later. In the 55^th minute Mohammadkhani received a perfectly timed header that split the Thai defense. At full stride and with defenders on his heels he dribbled around the keeper and shot into an empty net for Iran’s third goal. In the 63^rd minute Derakhshan streaked down the right flank, repeatedly turned his defender inside out before firing in Iran’s fourth goal. Alidoosti would score his second and Iran’s fifth goal in the 81^st minute. 

In the next game hosts Indonesia defended for 78 minutes before Mohammadkhani scored the lone goal of the game. 

With this win qualification was mathematically assured but this did not prevent Iran from registering another massive win in their last game against the Philippines. Goals by Mohammadkhani (2), Ahadi (2), Arabshahi, Alidoosti and Mokhtarifar resulted in a 7-1 win. 

With five wins, 21 goals scored and only two received, Iran advanced as the top team from its qualification group. In a meaningless game with an unclear purpose as far as qualification was concerned, Iran and Syria faced off against each other again and with a goal by Alidoosti Iran prevailed 1-0.