Defeating Hong Kong 1-0, Iran Qualifies For The Last 16 Of The 2023 Asis Cup

JAKARTA - The Iranian national team beat Hong Kong 1-0 in the Group C match at the Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar, Saturday, January 20 in the morning WIB. In this match, the winner's only winner victory came thanks to the contribution of winger Mehdi Ghazedi, according to AFC records.

This result made Iran ensure that it qualified for the last 16 of the 2023 Asian Cup. Iran took first place in Group C standings with six points from two matches, while Hong Kong was ranked fourth without points. Despite not scoring points, Hong Kong still had the chance to advance to the next round if they could beat Palestine in the final game of the group phase. Statistically Iran dominated the game by recording 74 percent possession of the ball and releasing a total of 10 kicks, two of which were on target. The first opportunity in this match fell into Hong Kong's hands when Matt Orr took advantage of a defensive error to get the ball on the edge of the box and sent a left-footed shot that goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand saved. The East Asian team had another chance in the 17th minute when goalless Roozbeh Cheshmi's pass sent the ball into Everton Camargo which outwitted Beiranvand, but his shot still bounced over the crossbar.

Tim Melli menunggu hingga menit ke-23 untuk mendapatkan peluang emas, namun upaya mereka ketika Ramin Rezaeian maju dari sisi kanan dan memberikan crossang ke pos jauh untuk Shahriyar Moghanlou yang sundulannya masih membentuk pemasang gawang. Dua menit kemudian, Iran berhasil memimpin ketika Milad Mohammedi memberikan tegas kepada Ghazi di selingan kiri dan penyerang ia dengan tepat melepatkan tendang melur ke sejak jauh turun untuk mencetak gol sehingga skor berubah menjadi 1-0.

Quoted from ANTARA, the second half started with intensity from both sides, but the game was centered in the middle of the field and very few clean opportunities. Hong Kong goalkeeper Yapp Hung Fai demonstrated his quality in making brilliant saves to thwart a well-executed curling free-kick from Rezaeian. Rezaeian faced face-to-face with Hung Fai as the game left seven minutes after receiving a perfect pass from Saman Ghoddos, but the right-back failed to direct his shot at the goal. The 1-0 score lasted until the game was over. Next, Iran will fight for the group title when they meet the United Arab Emirates, Tuesday, January 23, while the Hong Kong match against Palestine was also held on the same day.