TEHRAN – Iran had to dig deep to overcome Kyrgyzstan 3-2 in the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 26 Group A clash on Tuesday to move closer to a place in the FIFA World Cup 26 Finals.
Leading 2-0 at the break, Iran had to withstand a Kyrgyzstan fightback in the second half before Sardar Azmoun struck the winner to take them to 16 points as Team Melli stayed three clear at the top.
Iran took the lead after only 12 minutes when Saied Ezatolahi’s header from a corner kick was saved by Erzhan Tokotaev, only for the rebound to fall kindly for Mehdi Taremi to slam home.
The visitors turned a defensive situation to their advantage in the 33rd minute when they broke after a Kyrgyzstan corner kick with Azmoun releasing Saleh Hardani, with the experienced defender coolly slotting home past Tokotaev.
Almazbekov’s cross cum shot in the 50th minute had Alireza Beiranvand tracking back to tip over and from the ensuing corner kick, the home side pulled a goal back through Kojo’s header.
Lifted by the goal, Kyrgyzstan poured men forward and drew level in the 64th minute when Odilzhon Abdurakhmanov was fouled in the box with Kojo stepping up to send his penalty past Beiranvand.
The moment of quality Iran were seeking finally came in the 76th minute from a Milad Mohammadi cross that was met with a thumping header by Azmoun to secure Iran’s fifth win.
Iran will meet the United Arab Emirates when the AFC Asian Qualifiers resume in March with Kyrgyzstan to take on Uzbekistan.