WCQ: IRAN HANDS GUAM FIRST HOME LOSS

By Robert Balajadia

Guam is no longer unbeaten on home turf.

Iran, the top ranked team in the Asia Division, handled the home team in a 6-0 shutout to improve their World Cup Qualifier standing. This is the second consecutive shutout Guam had recieved from Iran after suffering a crushing defeat in Iran earlier this year also losing 6-0.

Iran improves to a Group D best of (4-2-0) while Guam falls to (2-1-4).

A 2-0 halftime lead quickly turned into a sizeable advantage with Iran scoring three goals in three minutes, each of which coming in the opening 10 minutes of the second half.

Iran’s Medhi Taremi led the way for the visitors with two goals and one assist. Medhi’s first goal came at the 11th minute, getting through the right side defense for a clean look at the ice-breaking score.

Taremi dashed through the Guam defense and sent back a no-look pass to teammate Ramin Rezaeian in the 50th minute for a highlight reel score to begin the scoring spurt.

A penalty on the Guam defense gave Iran a penalty kick which Iran’s Masoud Shojai easily converted at the 51st minute to go up 4-0. Fard then made quick work of a free ball to tack on another goal in the 52nd minute to take a commanding 5-0 lead.

Taremi also had the final goal in the 62nd minute to go up 6-0 off a pass from teammate Karim Ansari Fard.

Iran wasted kept the pressure on Guam with the home team attempting just five shots at goal in the first half. Iran’s Kamaleddin Kamyabinia then struck gold in the 29th minute, scoring off a Guam defense breakdown up the middle inside the box.

The loyal Matao fans stayed for every minute of the contest, cheering on Guam and screaming for a score. The closest chance came in the 68th minute when Guam’s Shane Malcolm broke free for a one-on-one with Iran’s keeper Ali Reza Beiranvand. Trying to cut off Malcolm, Beiranvand slid straight to send Malcolm flying. Beiranvand drew a red card, but the penalty happened outside the box so Guam had to try and break through Iran’s defensive wall.

A trick play ended abruptly with Matao Captain Jason Cunliffe over shooting the goal to keep Guam scoreless.

Guam’s next and last WCQ match will be in Oman.

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Matao’s Shawn Nicklaw stops for a moment to fake out Milad Mohammadi. (photo by Daniel Paran)

Alexander Francis connects with a pass as he charges towards the goal. (photo by Daniel Paran)

Alireza Jahan Bakhsh intercepts Matao’s Jonahan Romero and takes control of the ball. (photo by Daniel Paran)

Iran goalkeeper Ali Reza Beiranvand is escorted off the field after receiving a red card from the ref. (photo by Daniel Paran)

Iran’s Milad Mohammadi tries to keep Shane Malcolm out from stealing the ball. (photo by Daniel Paran)

Kamaleddin Kamyabinia kicks the ball back to a teammate to kill time on the clock. (photo by Daniel Paran)

Milad Mohammadi of Iran sends a strong pass forward that catches a few of Matao off-guard. (photo by Daniel Paran)