2011 Asian Championship (January 2011)

Iran warmed up for the 2011 Asian Championship with participation and a runner-up position in the WAFF Games. For the Asian Championship, Ghotbi chose an experienced squad that aside from Hajsafi, Ansarifard and Afshin had no player under 26. Iran played three more friendlies, including a 3-0 loss to Brazil that served as Bagheri’s farewell match from the national team, before heading to Qatar. Iran was grouped with the defending champions Iraq, North Korea and the UAE.

Iran’s first match was against Iraq. 

Iraq began in attacking mode and in the 4th minute Rahmati reacted well to deny a fierce shot early on. But in the 13th minute a cross to the far post was met with some poor defending and was subsequently headed across the goalmouth for Younis Mahmood to put Iraq ahead with a tap-in. 

An Iranian freekick caused havoc in Iraq’s box after Iraq failed to clear and after a brief interlude of pinball ultimately Gholami fired high. Shortly before halftime Teymourian perfectly fed Rezaei who beat the offside trap and equalized with a far post shot. 

Rezaei nearly doubled his tally in the second half after a poor giveaway by the Iraqi defense but his shot hit the side netting. Iran finally took the lead in the 84th minute after Mobali swung in a freekick and both Iranian and Iraqi players attempted and failed to make contact with the ball which bounced in front of the keeper and appeared to go through his legs before going in directly to seal maximum points for Iran.

With four changes in the lineup, Iran took on North Korea. 

In a contest short on clear cut chances, the only goal of the game came in the 63rd minute when Pejman Nouri latched onto a throw-in down the left flank before whipping in a cross that Ansarifard managed to steer past the keeper and into the far corner. 

North Korea failed to create any real clear chances until the game moved into injury time and Hong Yong-jo almost grabbed a dramatic equalizer but the striker saw his effort from 12 yards out graze the top of the bar.

With the win Iran mathematically qualified for the quarterfinals with a game to spare.

With advancement achieved, Iran made a number of changes to their first 11. 

The UAE threatened first by trying their luck from distance in the 9th minute but the shot was straight at keeper Gordon. The UAE continued to look the more dangerous with Ahmad Khalil seeing his shot rebound off the woodwork before Ismail Matar struck the outside of the post from close range. It took until the 60th minute for Iran’s first noteworthy chance as Haddadifar controlled the ball on the edge of the area before sending a dipping volley that needed the keeper to produce a diving save. Iran broke the deadlock in the 70th minute after Rezaei crossed from the right and Gholami first crashed a header against the crossbar before then smashing the rebound against the woodwork, but this time Afshin was on hand to stab home the loose ball. Two minutes later Afshin took out an opponent when attempting to challenge for the ball, injuring himself in the process before being shown his second yellow card as he was being stretchered off the pitch. The UAE were also reduced to 10 men with 11 minutes remaining when Sebil was sent off for a second bookable offence after a reckless tackle on Haddadifar. 

Iran wrapped up the game when Mohammad Nouri swept home in the 83rd minute before Abbas knocked the ball into his own net when attempting to prevent Rezaei going clean through on goal in stoppage time. 

With the 3-0 win Iran earned full points from its group games and advanced to the quarterfinals to face South Korea.

With three wins under their belt, Iran emerged as a favorite going into the knockout round against South Korea. 

In spite of their favored position, it was South Korea who appeared hungrier for a win. The Koreans threatened after 13 minutes when they sent a powerful volley just wide before Cha Du-ri failed to produce the shot his rampaging run into the box deserved as he scuffed an effort harmlessly wide. Iran was largely quiet but came the closest to open the scoring midway through the half when Ji Dong-won almost headed Khalatbari's free-kick into his own goal, but keeper Jung Sung-ryong did well to push away the danger. After the half Korea had a half chance when they tried their luck from outside the area but their shot was deflected wide. Rahmati reacted well to prevent a corner kick from directly going in and then saved a header from close range to keep Iran alive. Iran’s best efforts seemed to be on deadball situations such as when Nekounam threatened with a freekick that went narrowly wide. After a grueling 90 minutes ended goalless the game went to extra time, where Korea finally broke the deadlock towards the end of the first period of extra time. After losing possession near the halfway line, substitute Yoon Bit-garam struck a thunderous shot from the edge of the box to secure a 1-0 victory. 

The closest Iran came to equalize was with a chip from Shojaei that landed on the top of the net. 

With the loss Iran was eliminated in what turned out to be Ghotbi’s last game in charge.

Iran roster: Rahmati, Gordan, Mirzapour, Heydari, Talebi, Hosseini, Aghili, Hajsafi, Bengar, Nosrati, Haddadifar, Mohammad Nouri, Pejman Nouri, Mobali, Nekounam, Shojaei, Teymourian, Khalatbari, Rezaei, Ansarifard, Norouzi, Gholami, Afshin. Coach: Ghotbi