2000 Asian Championship Qualifiers (March 2000)

Iran spent 1999 rebuilding the national team and integrating new players in preparation for the 2000 Asian Championship qualifiers in Lebanon. Iran’s group consisted of Bahrain, Maldives and Syria with only the top team qualifying for the finals. The games would be played home and away in Aleppo and Tehran with Syria hosting the first round of qualifiers. Iran was once again coached by Pour-Heydari although ultimately he would relinquish his position to Talebi.

Iran started with an easy match against Maldives. While Iran was not able to replicate its prior 17-0 win, however, goals by Daei (3), Hasheminasab, Dinmohammadi, Mahdavikia, Estili and Mousavi, and a shutout by keeper Fanaei produced an encouraging 8-0 win. Next up were hosts Syria who were disposed of with a lone goal by Daei and Tabatabaei preserving the shutout. Perhaps Iran became too overconfident as they succumbed to a shocking 1-0 defeat at the hands of Bahrain. 

At the halfway point Iran, Syria and Bahrain each had six points although Iran topped the group due to a better goal difference.

Iran began the return legs of qualification by avenging their earlier loss and defeating Bahrain 3-0 with goals by Fekri, Karimi and Daei. 

 

Syria would take the lead against Iran in Azadi, however, Hasheminasab would tie matters up before halftime and the teams would settle for a 1-1 tie. 

With one game left, it would come down to goal difference between Iran and Syria, with Iran not only already winning the tiebreaker but also having an easier match ahead against Maldives. 

A 3^rd minute strike by Abolghasempour, a goal by Estili and a penalty by Daei would give Iran a 3-0 win. 

Iran and Syria would finish level on points but with Iran’s goal difference being six better than that of Syria, Iran would top the group and qualify for the Asian Championship in Lebanon.