Iran Beat Vietnam 2-0, Enter Round of 16 at Asian Cup
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) -- Three-time champion Iran moved and securing their spot in the knockout stage of the Asian Cup with a game to spare after beating Vietnam 2-0 Saturday.
Iraq played Yemen in another Group D game later and defeated hapless Yemen with three goals - Iran advanced as Yemen failed to win - and Saudi Arabia take on Lebanon in Group E.
It was a record ninth successive victory for Iran in Asian Cup group stage matches. Asia's top-ranked team have dominated possession and looked comfortable in their opening two games, scoring seven goals and still to concede.
Iran's Sardar Azmoun took care of the goals against Vietnam, scoring in each half.
Saman Ghoddos crossed for the forward to put Iran ahead with a close-range header in the 38th minute. Azmoun added his second in the 69th with a left-footed strike from the middle of the box for his third goal at the tournament.
Iran have six points while Vietnam registered their second straight defeat following a 3-2 loss to Iraq.
Iran are led by former Real Madrid and Portugal coach, Carlos Queiroz, who is chasing a major title with Iran after eight years in charge.
The top two teams in each group and the four best third-placed teams advance to the round of 16.
******Iran's forward Sardar Azmoun celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the AFC Asian Cup group D soccer match between Iran and Vietnam at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019.
Iraq played Yemen in another Group D game later and defeated hapless Yemen with three goals - Iran advanced as Yemen failed to win - and Saudi Arabia take on Lebanon in Group E.
It was a record ninth successive victory for Iran in Asian Cup group stage matches. Asia's top-ranked team have dominated possession and looked comfortable in their opening two games, scoring seven goals and still to concede.
Iran's Sardar Azmoun took care of the goals against Vietnam, scoring in each half.
Saman Ghoddos crossed for the forward to put Iran ahead with a close-range header in the 38th minute. Azmoun added his second in the 69th with a left-footed strike from the middle of the box for his third goal at the tournament.
Iran have six points while Vietnam registered their second straight defeat following a 3-2 loss to Iraq.
Iran are led by former Real Madrid and Portugal coach, Carlos Queiroz, who is chasing a major title with Iran after eight years in charge.
The top two teams in each group and the four best third-placed teams advance to the round of 16.
******Iran's forward Sardar Azmoun celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the AFC Asian Cup group D soccer match between Iran and Vietnam at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019.