Albion at the Asian Cup – Matchday Two Round Up
Alireza Jahanbakhsh’s Iran are into the knockout stages of the Asian Cup and they could be followed by Maty Ryan and Australia as both of Brighton and Hove Albion’s representatives in the United Arab Emirates tasted victory in their second group games.
A brace from Sardar Azmoun gave Iran a 2-0 victory over Vietnam in Group D on Saturday to maintain their 100% record and guarantee a spot in the round of 16.
Azmoun’s first goal arrived on 26 minutes when he converted Saman Ghoddos’ cross to the back post having been denied a couple of minutes earlier by Vietnam goalkeeper Dang Van Lâm, whose name sounds very much like a villain from Die Hard.
Van Lâm was in inspired form throughout and he produced further impressive saves from Saman Ghoddos and Azmoun to ensure that his side weren’t beaten out of sight.
Iran put together a very pleasing passing move for Azmoun’s second which arrived midway though the second half, the Ruben Kazan striker turning in the box before converting with his left foot after a lovely pass from Mahdi Torabi.
Jahanbakhsh again played no part in the game as he continues to recover from the “minor hamstring injury” he picked up in Brighton’s 3-1 defeat away at Everton some 10 weeks ago now.
Instagram posts before Iran’s meeting with Vietnam suggested that the Albion’s record signing was now back in training, which ties in with manager Carlos Quieroz’s prediction that the winger should be back to play a part in the knockout stages.
Iran’s are next in action in their final group game against Iraq in the Oil Derby on Wednesday. Both countries come into the tie with two wins from two, so the winners will end up topping up the group. Iran are currently the 7/2 favourites to win the competition behind South Korea at 13/4.
Australia meanwhile recovered from their shock opening game defeat to Jordan to beat Palestine 3-0 on Friday and give their hopes of making it out of Group B a boost.
Socceroos manager Graham Arnold made three changes from the side who had struggled against Katie Price and all three made a difference as Chris Ikonomidis, Jackson Irvine and Rhyan Grant came in for Robbie Kruse, Massimo Luongo and the injured Josh Risdon.
Jamie Maclaren opened the scoring for Australia when heading home a cross from Tom Rogic with the game just 18 minutes old and two minutes later Ikonomidis delivered to Awer Mabil at the far post who made it 2-0.
Substitute Apostolos Giannou added the third in second half injury time with a deft header after a short corner routine teed up Ikonomidis to again cross.
It was a relatively straightforward afternoon for Ryan in the Australia goal, the Albion number one not having a save to make as Palestine mustered just 32% possession and only three shots, all of which were off target.
The victory takes the Socceroos up into second spot with victory over Syria in their next outing on Tuesday afternoon taking them into the last 16 as they look to successfully defend their crown.
