Asian Cup 2019: Alireza Jahanbakhsh helps Iran outmuscle Oman in our talking points

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  • Iran recovered from the concession of a first-minute penalty against spirited knockout-stage debutants Oman to secure a 2-0 victory in Asian Cup 2019’s round of 16.

    At a partisan Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, shaky centre-back Majid Hosseini upended striker Muhsen Al Ghassani. World Cup 2018 hero Alireza Beiranvand, however, expertly stopped skipper Ahmed Kano’s fierce spot-kick to frustrate the boisterous Omani support.

    Team Melli went ahead when winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh forced a defensive error and slid in on 32 minutes. Veteran Ashkan Dejagah then doubled the lead from 12 yards before half-time after right-back Saad Suhail was harshly penalised for upending forward Mehdi Taremi.

    IRAN DO THEIR HOMEWORK

    Oman burst out the blocks and unsettled their exalted opponents.

    Where Iran’s ex-Real Madrid boss, Carlos Queiroz, can be praised is his due diligence. Australia physically dominated Oman in a 4-0 pre-tournament friendly – and Team Melli embraced this aggressive approach.

    A succession of crosses and deep balls were launched up the pitch to Sardar Azmoun and Co.

    Ex-Al Jazira centre-back Mohammed Al Musalami’s return to MBZ was stained when he fatally dallied under a lump forward – and Jahanbaksh did the rest. Even the suspect penalty came from a centre by recalled right-back Ramin Rezaeian.

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    OMAN’S PROMISING RUN

    Pim Verbeek’s charges have shone during four matches in the UAE – and won just once.

    The Gulf Cup champions unsettled Uzbekistan and Japan in Group F, without gaining the rewards received against Turkmenistan.

    On Sunday night, they flagged in the second half against World Cup regulars Iran. This, however, should not detract from an opening period when their favoured opponents looked disjointed for long spells.

    The promising performances of 21-year-old striker Al Ghassani – he’d sting Beiranvand’s fingers from 30 yards – and 24-year-old midfielder Jameel Al Yahmadi point towards bright days to come when World Cup 2022 qualifying begins, in September.

    Iran v Oman - AFC Asian Cup Round of 16

    MEXICAN MADNESS

    It is fair to say that Mexican official Cesar Arturo Ramos has not made a positive impression on Asian audiences.

    Ramos, the sole referee here from outside the region, oversaw a chaotic 3-2 win for Australia against Syria during the group stage. That featured a ridiculous oversight of a Mark Milligan handball in the box and a later award to Omar Al Somah when he tripped over a Syria team-mate.

    There could be no arguments with Hosseini’s wretched foul within 60 seconds. But Suhail’s fair challenge on Taremi was unjustly punished, killing an engaging contest.

    The introduction of the video-assistant referee from the quarter-finals cannot come soon enough.

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