2011 Asian Championship Qualifiers (January 2009)

With the 2010 World Cup qualifiers in progress, Asian nations also simultaneously kicked off their qualifying campaign for the 2011 Asian Championship in Qatar. Iran was grouped with Jordan, Singapore and Thailand and with two teams qualifying for the finals there didn’t seem to be much of a concern about advancing. Still under the guidance of Daei, it took a red card late in the first half in Azadi for Iran to be able to break Singapore’s resistance down in the first game of the campaign. 

Gholamnejad gave Iran the lead before halftime. Bagheri and Rezaei added further goals before a late double from Mohammed Nouri, his second with a diving header, and a Zareh goal set the seal on a resounding 6-0 triumph. 

Iran next faced Thailand away and the hosts attacked relentlessly forcing Rahmati into some fine saves. Iran looked dangerous on the counterattack and came closest when Gholamnejhad's spectacular 30-yard volley was tipped onto the post by the keeper while Kaebi had a claim for a penalty kick after he was taken down in the box. 

At the end of 90 minutes a scoreless draw was enough to keep Iran’s qualifying campaign on course. 

Back at home and now under Ghotbi’s guidance, Iran rounded off the first legs of its qualification against Jordan. 

Chances were few for both teams but in the 72^nd minute Madanchi touched a freekick on the left to Teymourian and his cross was met by Nekounam who came through a crowded penalty area to score. 

A minute later Jordan were reduced to 10 men although Iran was not able to benefit from their numerical advantage. Ansarifard came close after he slammed an incomplete rebound off of the post but the game ended 1-0. 

At the halfway point, Iran topped the group with seven points.

The return match against Jordan happened eight days later. Jordan started brightly and came close to opening the scoring after just four minutes but saw their shot saved by Rahmati. Iran replied three minutes later when Mobali made his way into the Jordan penalty area and fired over the crossbar while later Teymourian's header was saved by the Jordanian keeper. Iran nearly broke the deadlock six minutes after the break when Hajsafi fired over the crossbar from close range while four minutes later Pejman Nouri's powerful shot from outside the area was turned away by the keeper. Later Jordan slammed a corner against the crossbar before Aghili cleared off the line. The home side continued to press and Jordan finally took the lead as Al Saify crossed for Amer Deeb to convert from close range. Jordan should have doubled their lead five minutes later but Rahmati denied substitute Abdallah Deeb. This 1-0 loss marked an end to Rahmati’s shutout streak in qualification and Ghotbi’s first competitive loss. 

Iran got its qualification campaign back on track and mathematically ensured advancement following a 3-1 win away to Singapore. Aghili opened the scoring by converting a penalty. 

Madanchi pounced on a misplaced pass and went through one on one and smashed home Iran’s second goal. Singapore were thrown a lifeline when skipper Noh Alam Shah headed in a corner kick. Just after the break substitute Khairul Amri powered his header from point-blank range onto the cross bar with Rahmati well beaten. But Rezaei put the game beyond reach when he found himself in space and lobbed the keeper with a brilliant chip for a 3-1 win. 

In a final meaningless game against Thailand, while it seemed the teams were headed for another goalless draw, but Nekounam headed in Heydari’s cross in the 90th minute for a 1-0 Iran win. 

Iran topped the group with 13 points and alongside Jordan advanced to the 2011 Asian Championship.