Iran edge Qatar in tough encounter
 
Qatar went head to head against Iran in a FIFA World Cup Qualifier this Thursday at the Al Sadd stadium. The only goal of the game was a second half goal from Iran which leaves Qatar at the bottom of Group A with four points.
 
A goalless first half saw both sides testing the waters as there was an air of caution in the play. However, Iran had a couple of clear chances in the beginning of the half but Al Sadd keeper and Qatari international, Saad Al Sheeb made some important saves. Akram Afif was the stand out player for Qatar in the half as he made some incisive runs from the left-hand side.
 
In the fifty-second minute, Iran took the lead courtesy of Mehdi Taremi. The 24-year-old attacker brought down a long ball right in front of the box and then dribbled it towards the keeper before sending it into the near corner to make it 1-0 for Team Melli.
 
The win keeps Iran at the top of Group A with fourteen points while Qatar have a lot of work to do in order to maintain their 2018 hopes. Qatar play Uzbekistan on Tuesday in another World Cup Qualifier.