Every four years, a single match tends
to define the faith of the World Cup qualifications for
the Iranian National Team. That one game
would determine the outcome and sets the stage for four more years of staying
in the shadow of regrets and envy or being a part of what is known as "The Big
Dance", as the World Cup.
For the World Cup 1998, the crucial
game was the Iran - Australia match in Melbourne.
In that game, the last 15 minutes heroics of Azizi and the team brought Iran
back from the elimination and took it to France 98.
That match brought the "Joy of Victory."
For the World Cup 2002, it was Iran - Bahrain match in Bahrain. A victory for
Iran and we would have advanced to the World Cup but in a game that will be long
remembered for its side events as much as the result, Iran lost and was eventually
eliminated. That game was the infamous game when Bahraini players took a Saudi
Arabia flag around the stadium in joy of defeating Iran and helping Saudi's to
advance.
That match spoke volumes of the "Agony of Defeat."
Iran - Qatar match of October 13 was such defining match. It was a "Must Win" match
for Iran. The definition of a "Must Win" match is a match that must be won. Iranian
National Team simply did that. A tie or a loss and Iran would have been practically
eliminated in the qualification round.
For close to 80 minutes, elimination
is what it all seemed. Although Iran was the better team,
the game was a tie and when Iran's Capitan, Yahya Golmohammadi
scored an own goal to put Iran behind 2 - 1, all hopes were lost.
Was there going to be another comeback?
After all there were historical examples
of comebacks.
- Iran had come back against Australia
in 98.
- Iran came back to tie Oman in the
last 10 minutes at 2 only
3 months ago while it was down by two goals.
- Iran
scored 2 goals in the last 7 minutes in the
game against Jordan just a month ago.
And then, down by a goal, needing 2
goals to stay in the competition, things looked hopeless.
Somehow in that 90-degree heat and humid
conditions of the Wednesday evening, Iranian players
reached for
their
reserves, for more energy, and came
back with 2 goals. The second goal came at the last minute
of the game, seemingly pushed us to the next round
of the qualifying
matches. Although 1 more game is
left to play in this round, it is widely assumed that
Iran would
easily defeat Laos in Tehran. In their previous
match this year, Iran defeated Laos 7 - 1.
Star of the match was Vahid Hashemian.
The striker who plays his club matches for Bayern Munich
in Germany, recently rejoined
the National Team squad. He has been widely celebrated in the Iranian press
and among the fans
as one
striker who would take the helm from the "Great Ali Daei." Daei was absent in
this match due to injury. Hashemian scored two goals and was the man of the match.
For 2 years, football fans and media
have been screaming for Hashemian to return to and play
for the national team. For 2 years, Hashemian had refused
to do so
without directly and publicly explaining his decision.
He finally agreed to return only a month ago prior to the
Iran - Jordan match.
Hashemian's first goal on a pass from Ali
Karimi in
the 9th minute was a beautiful shot on the run that was
made very low toward
the far pole. The ball was barely touched by the Qatari goalkeeper, met the
left vertical
pole but
managed to kiss the net.
Hashemian's second goal was the result of a series of quick passes, set up with
a sharp pass by Azizi to the right side of the
box, followed by a pass back in the middle of the box
by Mahdavi Kia.
The ball met Hashemian's
foot while Qatar's goalkeeper and one defender also met
Hashemian and the ball at the same spot. Somehow Hashemian
kicked the ball first and his shot hit the
roof of the goal for Iran's most important and improbable
third goal.
Iran - Qatar match was the turning point of this World Cup's qualifying campaign.
In the second round, Iran will be placed with 3 other
teams in a group and 2 out of 4 teams would advance to the World Cup.
At the end, as the TV broadcaster was
screaming his heart out, only one phrase registered with
me and many Iranians around the world
who were watching the game live or listening to the game. "We won."
Somehow, yet again Iran won!
The lads won!
We Won!
AFP PHOTO: Karim JAAFAR
