Reuters: Iran’s woes continued when they were beaten 1-0 by Bahrain in a friendly in Manama on Friday ahead of next week’s 2010 World Cup qualifiers.
March 22 (Reuters) – Iran’s woes continued when they were beaten 1-0 by Bahrain in a friendly in Manama on Friday ahead of next week’s 2010 World Cup qualifiers.
Coach Ali Daei had a miserable first game in charge with his team going down to a goal by Mohamed Hussain. Iran, who have not scored in open play since last July, also had Bolton Wanderers midfielder Andranik Teymourian sent off towards the end.
Three-times World Cup qualifiers Iran travel to Kuwait for their Group 5 match next week.
Asian champions Iraq were held to a goalless draw in a friendly with Kuwait on Friday ahead of their World Cup qualifier with Qatar.
Iraq, who also contest Group 1 with China and Australia, have former coach Adnan Hamd back in charge after sacking Norwegian Egil Olsen last month for refusing to train the team in the violence-plagued country.