Iran Soccer History: 1998 World Cup Qualifiers (June 1997)

With Mayelikohan retained as coach, and a few friendlies under its belt Iran began its qualification for the 1998 World Cup. Iran’s group consisted of Kyrgyzstan, Maldives and Syria where the home games for all countries would be played in Damascus and the away games in Tehran. With Abedzadeh reclaiming his spot in goal, Iran started by setting a new record for its biggest win by demolishing Maldives 17-0 courtesy of goals by Bagheri (7), Estili (3), Azizi (2), Daei (2), Shahroudi, Mahdavikia and Minavand.

Iran continued its high scoring play by defeating Kyrgyzstan 7-0 with Bagheri and Majidi scoring two goals each, Daei, Minavand and Mousavi a goal a piece.

A lone goal by Daei was enough to defeat the host Syrians 1-0 and await the return games in Tehran.

Ironically Iran had a weaker showing at home, defeating Kyrgyzstan 3-1 (Azizi 2, Bagheri).

Maldives were beaten 9-0 (Mansourian 2, Bagheri 2, Daei 2, Mahdavikia, Shahroudi, Azizi).

Syria held Iran to a 2-2 tie (Shahroudi, Mansourian).

Against Syria Daei would be benched and in his place veteran Garousi would take the field. This move that would initiate a rift between Daei and Mayelikohan with Daei refusing to warm up at halftime for a possible entry in the second half. Iran would top the group with a 7 point lead and move on to the next round of qualification where they would face China, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Only the top team was guaranteed to qualify while the second placed team would have to go through a playoff path against the other team’s runner-up and subsequently a representative from Oceania.

Iran would start the second phase of qualification in disastrous fashion, trailing hosts China 2-0 via a penalty kick and a well-placed shot early into the second half. Bagheri would cut the deficit in half from the penalty spot in the 61^st minute. Mahdavikia would score a brace to give Iran the lead, the second with a thunderous shot from well outside the box. Modirroosta would put the game out of reach for an ultimate 4-2 win.

Iran would next face Saudi Arabia at home without the suspended Azizi.

After a foul on Modirroosta Iran would earn a penalty kick, however, Bagheri’s shot would be saved by the keeper. The Saudies would take the lead and while Iran would have a goal disallowed for offside, Bagheri would later score the equalizer and the game would end 1-1.

Iran would next face Kuwait away. While Iran would initially trail by a goal, Bagheri would once again come to the rescue and chip the keeper in injury time for another 1-1 draw.

The last opponent would be the visiting Qatar.

Daei would open the scoring in the first half while Bagheri would add two more goals for a comfortable 3-0 win. At the half way point, Iran topped the qualifying group.

Against China in Azadi it took all of two minutes for Mansourian to open the floodgates. A spilled ball by the keeper gifted Modirroosta with an open net and Iran’s second goal. Bagheri would extend his scoring streak with Iran’s third goal while Daei would put away the fourth. A late goal by China prevented the shutout but Iran would emerge as 4-1 winners.

With Saudi Arabia suffering losses against China and Kuwait, it seemed like Iran may be able to achieve an early qualification with a result in Riyadh.

Iran played a defensive game and nearly stole a tie but with two minutes remaining the Saudies would score the lone goal of the match and hand Iran its first loss in the qualifiers.

Following the match and much negative press and criticism of the players and coaching staff, the team experienced low morals which was reflected in their play. Iran would play an unorganized match against Kuwait in Azadi that would yield a scoreless tie.

There was much criticism and calls for removal of Mayelikohan, however, the federation still threw their support behind him. In spite of this setback with one game left Iran still led the table and controlled its own fate. A win against Qatar would ensure qualification to the World Cup. Iran would once again appear below expectations.

Qatar would take the lead in the first half. Iran’s unorganized play included defensive mixups, one of which had Abedzadeh and Mahdavikia slamming into each other at the edge of the box as they both went for the same ball. Iran would concede again in the second half while Bagheri would receive his marching orders by the ref.

There were complaints from the Iranian delegation regarding their three-hour wait at the airport, the constant and intentional din at their hotel and even food poisoning the day before the match. In any case Iran would go on to lose this match 2-0 and settle for second place with a match against Group B’s runner-up Japan.

With a spot in the World Cup on the line, prior to the match against Japan on a neutral site, Iran would make a major change and fire Mayelikohan. While some Iranian names were tossed around, however, ultimately the Brazilian Valdeir Vieira, who had come to Iran to coach the U23 team, took charge. Iran would face Japan in Malaysia. Vieira would make some changes to the lineup, recalling Zarrincheh and Namjoo Motlagh.

Iran would approach this game in a very tense mood and in fact in the first minute Ostad Asadi would put the ball in his own net with a diving header although he was saved by the referee’s questionable offside call. Japan would take the lead shortly before halftime. Azizi would put a way a spilled rebound in the second half and Daei would rise majestically to score with a precise header, putting Iran ahead.

Japan’s coach quickly reshuffled his line-up successfully as his team would equalize with a superb header to level the tie in the 76^th minute. Regulation time would end tied and the teams would play for a golden goal. Japan had the better of chances against a tiring Iran and came close on multiple occasions.

It looked certain that the match would be decided by penalties when Daei poked an effort wide from point-blank range in the 118^th minute, but Japan would seal their place in the World Cup just seconds later, after Abedzadeh spilled a goal-bound shot only for the rebound to be converted.

In spite of the loss, Iran’s campaign was still alive as they now faced a winner-take-all home and away series against Oceania’s representative Australia with the first leg being in Tehran. Australia would bring their own food and water, claiming that they did not want to take any chances with local cuisine.

A mammoth crowd of 128,000 crammed into Azadi Stadium to witness Australia taking the lead in the 19^th minute after beating the offside trap sending Azadi Stadium into deathly silence.

While Bosnich was called on several occasions to keep Iran at bay, however, Iran would eventually strike back in the 39^th minute with Azizi lunging in at the near post to put the ball past Bosnich and prompting Azadi to erupt.

The score remained and ended 1-1, with both teams having chances in the second half to win the game.

For the return match Australian fans came out in force, with 85,000 packing the MCG, and a spot in the 1998 World Cup finals at stake. Australia coach Terry Venables promised a win and qualification to France for the host country.

Australia came blasting out of the blocks, as coach Terry Venables instructed his side to go for the jugular. Within 30 seconds of the opening whistle, Abedzadeh had to smother a one on one chance by Vidmar. The next three minutes would require two more saves by Abedzadeh and a goal line clearance by the defense.

After only 10 minutes Australia would have five corner kicks. In spite of the pressure, Abedzadeh’s one-handed saves and calm demeanor, accompanied by smirks, smiles and chewing gum, gave the team confidence. Australia peppered Iran’s goal throughout the first half, only denied by some incredible saves from Abedzadeh and another goal line clearance by Pashazadeh. But the tide couldn’t be stopped, and it was a 17-year-old Kewell who broke through first, dispatching a Vidmar cross into the back of the net and wheeling away with joy. Vidmar made it 2-0 just after halftime, pouncing on a rebound off the crossbar to slam the ball into the roof of the net.

With two goals in the bag, the Australians were dominant, with one foot on a plane to France. But, unpredictably, the game turned on its head when serial pest Peter Hore found his way onto the pitch and damaged the net of Iran’s goal.

The interruption caused a long delay in play and broke Australia’s focus and gave Iran a way back into the game with them regaining their composure. For Australia the momentum was lost, the crowd silenced and more importantly Iran had six minutes to stop and assess the situation. With less than 20 minutes to go, Bagheri capitalized on confusion in the Australian defense to stab home a pass from Azizi and make it 2-1.

Four minutes later, Azizi caught the Aussie backline flat and sprinted to intercept Daei’s through-ball and calmly slot the ball past Mark Bosnich.

Tied at two and Iran were in the driver’s seat under the away goals rule. Australia gave it everything they had in that final 15 minutes but couldn’t find a way past the determined Iranians.