Doha: Iran claimed a famous 2-0 victory over 10-man Wales yesterday as Carlos Queiroz’s men scored two goals deep into added time to keep their Fifa World Cup campaign alive. It had been building up to that first goal and when it came, there was delirium, pandemonium and an eruption of emotion.

Iran had finally broken through against 10-man Wales and when the goal came, their players’ joy on the pitch translated to the stands where hordes of their frenzied fans cheered in delight, their roars reverberating across Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium and into the desert beyond. Eight minutes into time added on, Wales having lost goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey to a red card in the 84th had half-cleared a ball into the box and it fell to Rouzbeh Cheshmi and the Iranian substitute planted a superb curling shot from 25 yards that stayed low and crashed into the back of the net.

It was devastation for Wales and more was to come three minutes later as they looked to equalise only to get caught on the counter and Ramin Rezaeian raced clear to send a delightful dink over substitute goalkeeper Danny Ward to seal victory for Iran.

Published in The Daily National Courier, November, 26 2022

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