1994 Asian Games (October 1994)

Following Parvin’s dismissal as national team coach, the Croatian Stanko Poklepovic took charge. His first challenge would be the 1994 Asian Games in Japan, a year after the disastrous World Cup qualifying campaign. With the dissolution of the Soviet Union, three of its former republics (Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) had chosen to participate in the Asian Games although Kazakhstan would withdraw prior to the start of the tournament. Initially there had been five groups with Iran being grouped with Bahrain, Oman, Uzbekistan and Yemen. However, due to withdrawals and late entries a revised draw was announced which now had Iran facing Bahrain, China, Turkmenistan and Yemen. The AFC had suggested that all countries send their U23 teams, but this was ignored by all participants except Saudi Arabia. Iran entered the competition as the defending champions and with Abedzadeh still recovering from injury, Gholampour was once again the starting goalkeeper.

Iran’s first game was against Bahrain. The lineup and formation suggested that Poklepovic had not yet settled on a system or starters. 

It would be a dull affair with the one notable incident being Daei’s mid-air collision with the Bahraini goalkeeper’s kung fu kick. 

The result for Daei would be several broken ribs, three broken fingers and a ruptured spleen. In spite of the injuries, he would last the remainder of the match before being admitted to a hospital and subsequently missing the rest of the tournament. The two teams would settle for a 0-0 tie.

The second game would be against Turkmenistan. 

Contrary to the fist match Iran played with much more vigor while the game-plan seemed to be crosses from the flanks. In spite of the increased effort, it would be Turkmenistan who would score first in the 62^nd minute. Iran would equalize in a matter of minutes. Bagheri would connect with a header from a freekick which after taking a deflection would cross the line. The teams would settle for a 1-1 tie.

In a crucial match Iran would face China. Following the initial two ties, Iran needed at the very least another tie to stay alive although a win would greatly increase the chances of advancing. Iran would play a similar game and tactic to its prior match although none of Iran’s forwards were able to take advantage of the numerous crosses. While China didn’t have too many dangerous opportunities, however, in the second half they benefited from Gholampour’s weak reaction to score the only goal of the game. With this win China would finish atop the group. With only two points from its first three games, Iran was mathematically eliminated and its last game against Yemen was rendered meaningless.

Iran would make a number of changes in its match against Yemen including fielding Basharzad in goal and Salek Jabbari in defense. 

With goals from Pious, Shahmohammadi, Moharrami and Manafi, Iran would earn its only win of the campaign although it would prove to be too little, too late and ultimately mark the end of Poklepovic’s coaching tenure with the national team.

Iran roster: Gholampour, Basharzad, Zarrincheh, Shahroudi, Mohammadkhani, Manafi, Varmazyar, Peyrovani, Salek Jabbari, Moharrami, Ghalenoei, Dadashzadeh, Bagheri, Eftekhari, Shirmohammadi, Alemi, Shahmohammadi, Modirroosta, Daei, Pious. Coach: Poklepovic