World Cup Asian qualifiers:
Newcomer Mohebbi inspires short-handed Iran to fitting finale
Mohammad-Mahdi Mohebbi definitely offered the brightest spark for Iran head coach Amir Qalenoei in the latest international week.
Having made an impressive debut for the national team against Qatar last week, the 25-year-old winger produced a man-of-the-match performance on Tuesday to lead a depleted Iranian side to a 3-0 home victory over North Korea in the final outing at the World Cup Asian qualifiers.
Mohebbi broke the deadlock for Iran with 15 minutes left on clock, slotting in on the rebound after his initial effort was kept out by visiting keeper Kang Ju-hyok, and then provided Mahdi Taremi with a clipped cross three minutes later before the Inter striker headed home his 55th international goal.
Substitute Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh’s composed finish in the third minute of stoppage time rounded off the win against North Korea, which went down to 10 men in the 66th minute through a straight red card for midfielder Tam Kye.
The comfortable victory saw Iran, which had secured qualification with two games to spare, finish atop the Group A table with 23 points, with Team Melli’s sole defeat coming in the dead-rubber against Qatar (1-0) last Thursday in Doha.
“Thank God I made my first international appearances. I’m grateful to Mr. Qalenoei for giving me the opportunity to showcase my skills. The manager told me and other newcomers to play as if it is a league game,” said Mohebbi, who bagged nine goals and 10 assists in 37 games across all competitions for Persian Gulf Pro League club Sepahan in the newly-finished campaign.
Mohebbi also credited senior players Taremi and Saeid Ezatolahi for helping him “settle in quickly with the team.”