Football
Iran's national soccer team lost "great opporunity"
Iran's national soccer team has been held to a 1-1 draw by the UAE to lose the chance of topping Group B of the 2010 World Cup qualifiers. Abdulraheem Jumma put the UAE ahead in the 20th minute to revive his side's dim hope of advancing to the World Cup finals, losing their first three matches to South Korea, Saudi Arabia and North Korea. Iran's Karim Baqeri, however, scored the equalizer at Dubai's Al-Maktoum Stadium just nine minutes from time.
Nov 19, 2008, 17:41

Football
Peyrovani named Persepolis coach
Former Iranian national soccer captain Afshin Peyrovani has been named as the interim coach of his former club Persepolis of Tehran. "The decision was made by the club's board of directors on Wednesday morning," said Persepolis managing director, Dariush Mostafavi. The 38-year-old Peyrovani expressed his pleasure at the appointment. "I am happy that I have been selected as the club's interim coach. This is the toughest responsibility in Persepolis but I hope to gain good results with my colleagues' cooperation," Peyrovani said.
Nov 19, 2008, 17:39

Football
Daei says Iran-UAE a tough match
Iran's soccer manager Ali Daei has said his men will face a tough match in their 2010 World Cup qualifier against the UAE next week. “The match against the UAE will be one of our toughest, since they have nothing to lose and desperately need all three points to qualify for the final round,” Daei said on Friday. “We must control the game by programming and presenting a rational and well-organized performance to pave the way for the Iranian side to qualify for the 2010 World Cup,” he added. The United Arab Emirates drew 0-0 in Tehran in the previous qualification round.
Nov 17, 2008, 18:00

Football
Persepolis draws 2-2 with Saba Battery
Tehran's popular team Persepolis has been held to a 2-2 draw by Saba Battery in the fourteenth week of the Iranian Premier League (IPL). Alireza Nikbakht Vahedi put the hosts ahead with a header from Serbian Ivan Petrovic's cross in the 18th minute at Tehran's Azadi Stadium on Thursday evening. Fereydoun Fazli managed to equalize the score eight minutes after the interval on a corner from Adel Kolahkaj.
Nov 7, 2008, 21:16

Football
Tehran's Esteqlal takes IPL 2nd place
A late goal by Alireza Abbasfard has helped Tehran's popular team Esteqlal to move up to the second place after a 2-2 draw against Malavan. The hosts took the lead after 28 minutes when Jalal Rafkhaie scored the opener from the penalty spot at the Takhti Stadium in Anzali on Thursday. Esteqlal, coached by Amir Qalenoei, pushed forward and managed to level the score when Siavash Akbarpour headed in a corner by Brazilian Fabio Janvario in the 32nd minute.
Nov 7, 2008, 21:15

Football
Sepahan FC fires German coach
Iran's Sepahan FC has fired German coach Engin Firat after a series of disappointing results in the Iranian Premier League (IPL). Officials from the soccer club made the decision on Tuesday after the team faced heavy defeats against Peykan and defending champion Persepolis. Majid Basirat and Hossein Charkhabi will be coaching the team temporarily until the club appoints a new manager. Former Persepolis coach Hamid Estili is believed to be among the candidates to steer the 2008 IPL runners-up.
Oct 29, 2008, 17:29

Football
Esteqlal thrashes Paykan
Tehran's Esteqlal seals a 3-2 victory over Paykan following a hat trick by Arash Borhani in the 12th week of the Iranian Premier League. Paykan took the lead when former Esteqlal player Saeed Lotfi scored on a corner in the 23rd minute at Tehran's Azadi stadium on Monday. Amir Qalenoi's men managed to equalize the score through Arash Borhani who converted a penalty in the 33rd minute. Borhani netted his second goal four minutes later on a header pass by Brazilian Fabio Janvario.
Oct 28, 2008, 18:09

Football
Esteqlal beats Pas 4-2
Jabbari scores twice for Esteqlal in a 4-2 victory over Pas which moved the Tehran side to the fourth place in Iran's Premier League. Ali Alizadeh put Esteqlal ahead in the 29th minute, but Mohammad Gholami scored the equalizer for Pas three minutes into the second half. Jabbari had a brilliant second half in Tuesday's match and scored twice for Esteqlal in four minutes. Arash Borhani put a final touch on Esteqlal's brilliant day with his injury-time goal. Hanif Omranzadeh could not relieve Pas' humiliating home defeat despite his goal, which was also scored in injury time.
Oct 21, 2008, 20:59

Football
Iran team crowned AFC U-16 champion
Iran has claimed a maiden AFC U-16 Championship title with a 2-1 win over 10-man South Korea at Pakhtakor Stadium in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. On an overcast day in the Uzbek capital on Saturday, Korea goalkeeper Kim Tae-sung - making just his second appearance of the tournament in place of Kwon Tae-ahn - saved Mehrdad Yeganeh's 25-yard bullet after five minutes.
Oct 19, 2008, 20:23

Football
Iran beats North Korea 2-1 in 2010 World Cup qualifier
Mehdi Mahdavikia and Javad Nekounam score for Iran to seal a 2-1 home win over North Korea in Group B of the 2010 World Cup qualifiers. Mahdavikia, who rejoined the Iranian squad after a one-year wait, scored Iran's first goal 10 minutes into the match to cheer up about 40,000 Iranians attending the event at Tehran's Azadi Stadium. Osasuna midfielder Nekounam doubled the lead for Iran in the 64th minute. Jong Tae-Se scored seven minutes later to revive North Korea's hopes of remaining in the top position in the group.
Oct 15, 2008, 14:12

Football
Italy (or better say 'Brazil 2') draws Iran to reach semifinals
Midfielder Edgar Bertoni scored a last-minute goal to help Italy draw Iran 5-5 and reach the semifinals of the Futsal World Cup on Tuesday. Both nations finished with four points from three matches in Group E, but the Italians advanced on goal difference. Brazil, a 5-3 winner over Ukraine, was first in the group with nine points. Italy will face two-time defending champion Spain, while Brazil will play Russia, which advanced from Group F with a 2-2 draw against Argentina. Bertoni's equalizer at Nilson Nelson gymnasium in Brasilia came in the 39th minute. Italy, playing with a roster full of Brazilian-born players, was runner-up to Spain in the last World Cup and European championship.
Oct 14, 2008, 20:38

Football
Iran Futsal to face Italy
Iran's Mohammad Taheri says the absence of two key players in the game against Italy will not affect the team's chances of winning. "They are two very important players, but the guys replacing them will do a great job. We Iranians are well used to this type of situation. We thrive on adversity and always find the strength to keep going," the 23-year-old player told FIFA.com on Monday. After a 5-4 win over Ukraine at the 2008 FIFA Futsal World Cup, Iran's National Team must now defeat Italy to remain in the competition.
Oct 14, 2008, 11:44

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