Iran routs Hong Kong for comfortable start in World Cup qualifiers
Sardar Azmoun bagged a brace as Iran began its quest for a spot in the 2026 World Cup with an easy 4-0 win against Hong Kong, China at Tehran’s Azadi Stadium in the second-round Group E of the Asian qualifiers.
Roma striker scored twice in similar fashion, side-footing from close range, in the space of three minutes to give Amir Qalenoei’s men a two-goal cushion inside 15 minutes.
Porto forward Mahdi Taremi added the third with three minutes left on the clock before Ramin Rezaeian’s curling free-kick rounded off the victory in the stoppage time.
“We had a flying start and netted two early goals, but we took our foot off the gas after that. It’s hard to play against the teams with multi layers of defense, although I believe we created enough chances for more goals. Our players were so unselfish today, which was the positive aspect of our game,” Qalenoei said after the game.
Iran’s starting XI on Thursday will more or less be the one to begin the game against Palestine in the AFC Asian Cup opener in January.
Qalenoei has been criticized in recent days for making minimum changes to the squad that was the oldest under his predecessor Carlos Queiroz in last year’s World Cup.
While Sepahan prodigy Mohammad-Javad Hosseinnejad has been the only significant young talent to make his international debut since Qalenoei was appointed to job earlier in the year, Karim Ansarifard and Omid Ebrahimi, who are both well past the peak of their careers, received a call-up for the double header in the qualifiers.
“It is a gradual process,” Qalenoei said of bringing in new players, while praising the likes of AEK Athens fullback Ehsan Hajsafi, 33, for his contribution to the national team.
“We have a full assessment of all of our assets. Ehsan, for instance, was one of the best players on the pitch today. He can surely help the team as he is still capable of keeping up with the pace at the European club football,” the Iranian head coach said.
“We have at least two good players in every position. There are three to four decent midfielders in the squad, some of whom were not even on the bench today but still deserve to be in the starting eleven.”
Ahmad Nourollahi was not in the 23-man squad and was ousted from the Iranian camp later on Thursday for what was described as “unprofessional behavior” by the Al Wahda midfielder.
Meanwhile, Alireza Jahanbakhsh was among the senior Iranian players in action against Hong Kong but was replaced by Reza Asadi in the second half after suffering an injury.
“I am a bit worried. It seems to be a minor injury but I’ll have to wait for the MRI result. I hope it’s not serious as we have another game [against Uzbekistan] and then there is the Champions League on my return to the club duty,” said the Feyenoord winger.
Iran will play away to Uzbekistan in the group on Tuesday, in what will be the Asian powerhouse’s final outing before the Asian Cup in Qatar.
When asked about the high average of the Iranian players’ age, Jahanbakhsh said: “This team will have to get results in the Asian Cup and I believe the experience of the senior players playing alongside each other for years will surely be a great help in the tournament.”
“Winning the ultimate prize in the Asian Cup is the prime target for every one of us. We were unlucky in the last-four defeat against Japan in the previous edition, but we will give it our best shot this time around as the path to the final showdown seems to be an easy one for us,” added Jahanbakhsh.
Chasing a first trophy in the Asian flagship international tournament since 1976, three-time champion Iran is drawn against Palestine, the United Arab Emirates, and Hong Kong.