ABU DHABI: Sardar Azmoun struck twice as Iran sank Vietnam 2-0 to reach the last 16 of the Asian Cup and set a new group-stage win record.
Iran, looking to end a 43-year title drought since last winning Asian football’s most coveted prize, could have scored four or five but for some poor finishing in Abu Dhabi.
“It’s a pity our performance didn’t produce a couple more goals,” Iran coach Carlos Queiroz said. “But winning is the best medicine in football. To win two games and score seven goals — I have to praise my players because I am very demanding.”
Saman Ghoddos and Mehdi Taremi went close for Asia’s top-ranked team before Azmoun rose to head home a Ghoddos cross after 38 minutes.
The Rubin Kazan forward lashed in his third goal of the tournament from the edge of the box 20 minutes from time to give Iran a ninth successive first-round victory dating back to 2007.
Co-favourites with South Korea to lift the Asian Cup, Iran crushed war-torn Yemen 5-0 in their opening Group D game.
They were indebted to goalkeeper Alireza Safar Beiranvand for a courageous save from Nguyen Cong Phuong but were barely ruffled by the southeast Asian champions.
“We just need to relax more,” said Queiroz. “We were anxious going after the third goal, but that final touch will come. Now we must think, feel, eat, drink, do everything to be focused on Iraq.”
Iran ready for Iraq after beating Vietnam
Iran ready for Iraq after beating Vietnam
- Sardar Azmoun at the double as Team Melli continue impressive start.
- Carlos Queiroz's team to face Iraq on Wednesday to decide which team will top the group.
Local golfers to compete alongside world's best at Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship
- Bahraini talent secure places through national qualifying route as game’s growth continues in the Kingdom
BAHRAIN: Three Bahraini golfers will tee off alongside DP World Tour stars at the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship, which takes place from Jan. 29 to Feb. 1, having earned their places through the Kingdom's national qualifying pathway.
Ahmed Al-Zayed, Khalifa Al-Maraisi and Ali Mohamed Al-Kowari earned their places through the Kingdom’s qualifying pathway and will represent Bahrain at the Royal Golf Club in the third edition of the tournament, held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
They will be joined by England's Tom Sloman, who earned a professional invitation as winner of the King Hamad Trophy, and Malaysia's Zubair Firdaus, champion of the Bahrain Amateur Open.
The local qualifiers will compete alongside a stellar field that includes three-time Major Champion Padraig Harrington, current Race to Dubai leader Jayden Schaper, past winner Dylan Frittelli, and 2025 Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Martin Couvra.
The Bahraini trio secured their spots through different routes. Al-Zayed was the best Bahraini finisher at the King Hamad Trophy, Al-Maraisi topped the Bahrain Golf Association rankings in 2025, and Al-Kowari came through the National Team Qualifying Tournament.
For Al-Zayed, who carries a +2.4 handicap, it marks a proud return to the championship.
“I’m so proud to be playing in this championship,” he said. “This is my second time participating in this event. I would like to thank Bapco Energies for organizing the biggest event in the country and the Bahrain Golf Association for giving national team players the chance to participate. I’m focused on representing my country in the best way and looking forward to playing with the best tour players to gain more experience.”
Al-Kowari, also playing off +2.4, will make his second consecutive appearance at the tournament after a hard-fought qualifying campaign.
“I'm very happy to play in this great tournament again,” he said. “It wasn't easy to get the spot, but we did it eventually. We played four days for the national team qualifier — it was really, really windy — but in the end we did it. I had some really good rounds and got the spot.”
The qualifying pathway highlights how hosting the Bapco Energies Bahrain Championship is helping to develop the game across the Kingdom, providing local players with experience of competing at the highest level.
The tournament follows the Dubai Invitational and Hero Dubai Desert Classic — the first Rolex Series event of the season — as part of the DP World Tour's International Swing and features a prize fund of $2.75 million.
