AsianCup2023 | Group C : Islamic Republic Of Iran 4 - 1 Palestine

Iran kick off their Group C campaign in El Rayyan as they take on a Palestine team making just their third appearance in the competition. Team Melly have become one of the best teams in Asia in recent years and can claim a fourth Asian Cup title with a solid performance in Qatar, while Palestine will be hoping to throw a spanner in the works and secure their first ever win in the competition with all the pressure on their opponents. Iran's shot-stopper Beran Bandt has recovered from a knee injury and starts in goal, while star striker Mehdi Taremi, who has 41 goals to his name, is joined by Karim Ansari Fahd up front. Makram Daboub has seen his side pick up a few injuries en route to the group stage, but Moussa Batat starts it right back, however Palestine's talisman in attack Oday Daba starts his tournament on the bench. Into the action we go and it wouldn't take long for Iran to set the stage. Just inside the second minute and we would have the deadlock. Karim Ansari Fahd, his 100th game for Iran, his 30th goal for his country. What a start for Team Melly here. 12th minute and all the pressure coming from the team in white. Great delivery and again it's a fantastic cross from Saman Godos, this time picking out Khalid Zadeh, scoring his third goal for Iran. No one picking him up at the back post and Palestine in trouble. That trouble could have been a lot worse. Rami Hamada not being able to intercept that ball across the middle by Jahan Bakhsh. Very nearly 3-0. 37th minute now, one-way traffic as Iran went hunting for a third and they would find it as well. Jahan Bakhsh with the assist, Mehdi Gayedi with his third goal for Iran. And slots it calmly and coolly through the legs of the defender and into the far corner. Palestine with little to shout about so far but would have a ticket back into the game just before the half-time whistle. Their number 9, Tamer Sayyam, with his 13th goal at international level. Nods it home from close range, rising above the defender. And all of a sudden, Palestinian fans were believing again. Into the second half we go. Iran, well, pretty much picking up where they left off on the front foot and creating chances. And they would have a fourth. Just ten minutes into the second half of play. Sadr Azmou on as a substitute, not a starter due to his late arrival to the camp. And he scores his 50th international goal in just his 77th appearance. Well, four nearly became five in the 71st. Mehdi Taremi thought he'd scored. That's a great play on the wing. Mohamed Mohabi. The Palestinian captain, al-Battat, there with a big, big block. Into injury time. Another chance, a rare one for Palestine. From distance, Al-Haydin Hassan, denied by Beydan Vant. And that would wrap things up as well. Iran kick off their group stage with a convincing win to put an early three points on the board in the battle for the next round in Group C and take on Hong Kong next on the 19th of January while Palestine face the UAE on the 18th.