Iran thrashes Lebanon 5-0 in Asian Cup qualifier

TEHRAN,Feb.7(MNA) – Iran took sweet revenge on Lebanon on the opening day of the 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualifying campaign in Tehran on Wednesday. In a match in Group B, Iranian footballers beat Lebanon 5-0 a Tehran’s Azadi Stadium. The Persians were defeated by the Asian minnow 1-0 in September in an away game in a 2012 World Cup qualifier. Reza Ghoochannejad “Gucci” received a good pass from Mojtaba Jabbari into the area in the 26th minute and slotted the ball just inside the post. It was Gucci’s first goal for the Iranian national team. Japanese referee Yuichi Nishimura showed the penalty spot after Fulham Iranian midfielder Ashkan Dejagah was brought down by Lebanon defender Nour Mansour. Iran captain Javad Nekounam made it 2-0 from the penalty spot just before the break. Lebanon was reduced to 10 men just after the hour mark when Mansour received his second yellow card after pushing Dejagah in the penalty area, and Nekounam scored from the penalty spot once again. One minute later, Ghoochannejad netted his brace after receiving an excellent pass from Dejagah in front of the goal. With 10 minutes remaining, Nekounam got his hat trick when his shot deflected in off a Lebanon defender and found the back of the net. In the other Group B match, Kuwait beat Thailand 3-1 in an away game. 20 national teams in total are contesting for 11 spots, with the top two teams from each group and the best third-place team among all five groups advancing. The assembled 16 sides (which will also include the winner of the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup) will contest the Asian Cup in January 2015, with Sydney, Melbourne, Queensland, and Canberra to host the matches.