Iran defeats Korea after 39 years

Iran received a massive psychological boost in their bid to prepare for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™ when they defeated Korea Republic 1-0 in a warm-up match on Tuesday.

This was Iran’s first victory in Korea over the Taeguk Warriors after 39 years. Their last victory came here in 1971 when they won 2-0 in an international game.

Osasuna midfielder Masoud Shojaei scored the match-winner in the 33rd minute on a counter attack and gave Team Melli their second successive victory following their 2-0 victory over China last week.

International Friendly: Iran defeats China 2-0

Afshin Ghotbi's Iran have scored a 2-0 away win over an rapidly improving China in an international friendly this evening.

Goals from Andranik Teymourian and Mohammad Gholami gave Team Meli a confidence boosting result ahead of the Asian Cup in Qatar in January, while it is a rare set-back for China head coach Gao Hongbo during what has been an otherwise productive 12 months.

With the match played on an uneven pitch Iran struck first through Teymourian, who finished off a swift counter-attack.

International Friendly: Thailand beat India 1-0

AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011™ side India lost to Thailand by a solitary goal in an international friendly here on Saturday.

The only goal of the match was scored in the 72nd minute by Thai Port striker Sarayoot Chaikamdee.

Both the teams are coached by Englishmen but it was the Bryan Robson-led Thai hosts who underlined their intent first when Teerasil Dangda found his shot rattling the cross bar in the fourth minute.

Bob Houghton’s India managed to keep a rampant Thailand at bay in the first half even as several half-chances went abegging for the AFC Asian Cup team.

Surkumar Singh hit straight at the goalkeeper in the 22nd minute and pin-up boy Sunil Chettri, who plays for MLS side Kansas City Wizards, struck the woodwork just before half-time.

The Indians came back strongly after the break and piled up the pressure on the Thais.

But it was Thailand who forged ahead when a Suchao Nutnum pass met Sarayoot who hit a fierce drive past goalkeeper Subrata Pal.

The return match takes place in New Delhi on Wednesday.

Source:the-afc.com

International Friendly: Kagawa strike gives Japan victory over Paraguay

Japan have extracted a measure of revenge on Paraguay, beating the side that knocked them out of this year's World Cup 1-0 in their international friendly in Yokohama.

The South Americans eliminated their Asian opponents on penalties in the first knockout round in South Africa.

They were beaten on this occasion by a Shinji Kagawa strike in the 64th minute, with new boss Alberto Zaccheroni watching from the stands after his appointment earlier this week.

Paraguay had chances of their own but failed to convert any of them after a bright start by the home side.

Japan captain Yuji Nakazawa saw his header saved on the stroke of half-time, Jonathan Santana going close after the break.

It was Kagawa though who opened the deadlock, latching onto Kengo Nakamura's pass before seeing his effort from outside the box go in off the post.

The Asian giants held onto their lead and have the chance to build on a morale-boosting victory when they take on Guatemala on Tuesday, Paraguay set to face China.

Source: Goal.com

International Friendly: Oman thrash Malasiya 3-0

A first-half double by Emad Al Hosni saw Gulf Cup champions Oman trounce Malaysia 3-0 in a friendly on Friday here in the capital of Qatar.

Oman, who are preparing to defend the Gulf region football title in Yemen (November 22 to December 4), are also scheduled to play AFC Asian Cup 2011 hosts Qatar in another international friendly on September 7 at the same venue.

Hassan Rabia fired Claude Le Roy’s side into a shock third minute lead and Malaysia never recovered from this first blow.

Al Hosni scored the first of his two goals in the 37th minute and sealed the win with his brace a minute before the break.

The last time Malaysia took on Oman was in the Doha Asian Games in 2006, when Norizan Bakar’s Malaysian team lost 3-1 at the Al Arabi Stadium.

Source: the-afc.com

Cho to test youngsters in Iran friendly tie

Cho Kwang-rae, South Korea's national football team coach, on Monday released his 23-man squad for a friendly match against Iran slated for Saturday in Seoul, recruiting several new faces in the warm-up for January's Asian Cup tournament.

The national squad included half a dozen overseas-based players, including Park Ji-sung of Manchester United, Lee Chung-yong of the Bolton Wanderers, Park Chu-young of AS Monaco, and Celtic FC teammates Ki Sung-yueng and Cha Du-ri.

Suk Hyun-jun, a 19-year-old who plays for AFC Ajax in the Dutch league's top division, has been called for the first time to join the star-studded squad, along with other home-grown strikers.