Iran Edges Kyrgyzstan 1-0 in AFC World Cup Qualification: Mehdi Taremi’s Goal Secures Victory
A closely contested AFC World Cup qualification match on September 5, 2024, saw Iran pip Kyrgyzstan 1-0 with a first-half decisive goal by Mehdi Taremi. Iran enjoyed most of the possession and commanded most of the game held at Tehran’s Azadi Stadium, but Kyrgyzstan were gallant. But that 34-minute goal from Taremi was enough to secure all three points for them to get off on the right track for their qualification campaign, as there was literally nothing else between the posts afterwards, though there were chances either way in the second half.
First Half: Taremi Breaks the Deadlock
The match saw Iran, hungry for home advantage talked of in pre-match comments, push forward from the word go. The home crowd was jubilant as Team Melli piled on the pressure from the very beginning. Dominant in possession and probing the Kyrgyzstan goal for openings, Iranian midfielders led by captain Alireza Jahanbakhsh firmly took control of the pace, pushing the ball upfield and opening opportunities for the forwards.
To their credit, Kyrgyzstan were disciplined and organized at the back, soaking up pressure and looking to hit back on the counter-attack. But the breakthrough finally arrived in the 34 minute courtesy of Mehdi Taremi, Iran’s prolific striker. Taremi met a well-placed cross from Saman Ghoddos and powered his header beyond the Kyrgyzstan goalkeeper Erzhan Tashmatov to give Iran the lead. That really lifted the spirits of the home crowd and gave Iran just what they needed.
Kyrgyzstan began to try and launch an attack of their own, but Iran’s defense, marshaled by Shoja Khalilzadeh, stayed solid. For all the Kyrgyzstani effort they could not find an equalizer before the half-time whistle as Iran stayed in control 1-0 up.
Second Half: Iran Holds Firm Despite Resistance from Kyrgyzstan
Second half commenced with Kyrgyzstan showing more attacking intent; the key substitution at the break was Coach Alexander Krestinin bringing on Emil Kenzhebaev for Gulzhigit Alykulov as he sought to put more pace into their forward line. The substitution seemed to inject some life into the feet of Kyrgyzstan as they started piling pressure on Iran’s back four.
However, Iran’s coach Amir Ghalenoei replied with his changes in bringing on fresh legs to keep them tight in the game. Saman Moghanlou replaced Sardar Azmoun as Saleh Hardani replaced Amir Yousefi in the 81st minute as Iran strengthened their defense. Milad Torabi and Alireza Jahanbakhsh had earlier come off the bench in the half as Iran kept their attack dynamic.
Kyrgyzstan pushed men forward in search of an equaliser, but Iran managed to keep them at bay. Second-half substitutes Maksat Akhmedov and Kairat Zhyrgalbek Uulu did have some bright moments but struggled to find any real openings as Shoja Khalilzadeh marshalled the backline well, supported by the tireless Saeid Ezatolahi. Despite everything, though, Kyrgyzstan were finding it extremely difficult to break through the well-set backline of Iran.
Performance of Key Players: Taremi to the Fore as Iran’s Defense Standing Tall
The Iranian Mehdi Taremi was doubtless the star of the match. This FC Porto striker’s goal proved to be the difference, with the nature of it speaking much to his poaching ability and coolness in front of the goal. Pressing hard off the ball, linking with the midfielders also worked wonders for Iran.
Iranian Saman Ghoddos, who provided the assist to Taremi, is a good lieutenant on the field. He’s been one of the more reliable players for Iran, helping set up – or craft, really much of their attacking play in this one.
Shoja Khalilzadeh and Saeid Ezatolahi were as solid as a rock in Iran’s back four. They made vital interventions at the back throughout the match as Kyrgyzstan was promising in attack, most especially in the second half of the game. This is when the visitors exhorted a bit more urgency on the pitch. Leadership by Khalilzadeh at the back ensured Iran’s defense would not buckle to pressure, keeping discipline among the ranks, while Ezatolahi in midfield affected Kyrgyzstan’s rhythm.
For Kyrgyzstan, despite the defeat, Erzhan Tashmatov had a great outing between the sticks, having made a number of crucial saves and keeping his team in the game for the most part of the 90 minutes. The Kyrgyzstani defence, marshaled by the tireless Kairat Zhyrgalbek Uulu, resisted Iranian onslaughts in goal, even if they could not prevent Taremi’s winner.
Kyrgyzstan Missed Chances
While Iran dominated large parts of the game, Kyrgyzstan had their fair share of chances to draw level, more so in the second half. Their own counter-attacking style of play presented a few very dicey moments; however, they were not clinical enough at the point of finishing their play in front of goal. Emil Kenzhebaev and Maksat Akhmedov featured in some of Kyrgyzstan’s brighter attacking moments, but Iran’s rearguard proved strong enough to resist them.
The inability to take advantage of set-pieces by Kyrgyzstan was also another sour point for them. They had won a number of corners and free-kicks in promising positions but were unable to convert them into clear chances. The attacking inefficiency of his team is something coach Alexander Krestinin will have to work on if Kyrgyzstan is to make any impression in the remaining qualifying games.
Iran’s Road to World Cup Qualification
This is a serious step for Iran in its path leading to the confirmation of its spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This victory opens up avenues of confidence and momentum that go into their next qualifier. Key elements of flair in attack and solidity at the back were well in tune with what Amir Ghalenoei’s charges needed to achieve in their remaining matches.
It is now the job of the Iranians to keep such performance during the qualification campaign, and such slim margins may affect them in qualification. They were comfortable most of the game but guilty of lacking efficiency in converting some chances into goals. Ghalenoei looks to also keep his squad fresh for the qualification into World Cup, since it’s a long way.
Conclusion: Iran Seals Crucial Victory in AFC World Cup Qualification
Indeed, the win in the opener of AFC World Cup qualification was tough and very important for Iran against Kyrgyzstan. A first-half goal from Mehdi Taremi proved enough as Iran’s defense kept firm to seal the three points. The spirited effort of Kyrgyzstan was worth it, though they were never going to break down the organized defense of Iran.
But all in all, this victory takes Iran one step in the right direction to begin their campaign for World Cup qualification, while Kyrgyzstan needs to go back to the drawing board to carry out some remedial work in the next matches. Both teams are still long away from the journey on this road to qualification, but Iran showed today that they were indeed well-prepared for the highest level of competition.
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