SINGAPORE -- A convincing 3-1 victory over Singapore secured Iran's berth for the Asian Cup 2011 in Qatar. Iran edged Singapore 3-1 at the Bishan Stadium in the Group E Asian Cup 2011
qualifier on Wednesday.
Hadi Aghily put the Persians in lead in the 10th minute from the penalty
spot. Mehrzad Madanchi doubled the score two minutes later. The Al-Ahli
midfielder opened Singapore's goal from the edge of the box.
Noh Alam Shah's header pulled a goal back in the 31st minute.
Gholamreza Rezaei skillfully chipped the ball past the Singaporean keeper in the
62nd minute and made the score 3-1 in favor of Afshin Ghotbi's team who is under
pressure after coming fourth in the Qatar Four-aside Football Tournament last
week.
Meanwhile, in the same group Thailand was held to a goalless draw against
struggling Jordan at the Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok.
Iran has qualified for the Asian Cup 2011 with 10 points and is top of its
group. It will play Thailand in Tehran's Azadi Stadium on March 3.
Iranians fans were chanting for the Green opposition in the stadium
Ghotbi: Iran's football is political
Afshin Ghotbi said that Iranian football has extremely become a political
battleground which is too hard to work in.
Iran's coach participated in the Singapore vs. Iran post-match press
conference at the Bishan Stadium. The Iranians defeated their host 3-1 in Group
E Asian Cup 2011 qualifier and advanced to the final round which will be held in
Qatar.
"Today, Iran's football has unfortunately become a political battleground. As we
all saw the stadium's atmosphere was marred by skirmishes and in my opinion it
is too hard to work in this condition," Ghotbi said.
"We made efforts to beat Singapore and eventually we qualified for the Asian Cup
2011. I dedicate this victory to all Iranians, in particular to Nasser Hejazi
(former Iran keeper who was recently discharged from hospital)," the 45-year-old
added.
