Korea suffers 1-0 to Iran amid goal controversy

Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi, third from left, yells at Lee Chung-yong, unseen, during the Korea-Iran friendly match at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday. / Yonhap

By Kwon Ji-youn

The national football team suffered a 0-1 loss to Iran in its last friendly before the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, Tuesday, amid controversy surrounding Sardar Azmoun’s winning goal.

Korea had the better of the first half, intimidating the Iranians with aggressive offense at Azadi Stadium in Tehran. Manager Uli Stielike positioned Lee Keun-ho at the top and Lee Chung-yong and Son Heung-min in the wings. Skipper Koo Ja-cheol began an offensive midfielder, and Kim Jin-hyeon kept the goalposts.

In the 10th minute, Lee Chung-yong crossed the ball to Son from the left. Son headed the ball, but was denied by Ehsan Hajsafi. Son followed with two strikes in the 22nd and 40th minute but both failed to find the net.

In the 73rd minute, Stielike sent in striker Park Chu-young in place of Lee Keun-ho, but not long after, Javad Nekounam was granted a free kick from the box top, which bounded off both posts. Goalkeeper Kim attempted to snatch up the rebound when Azmoun slammed into him to head the ball into the net. No foul was called.

National football team manager Uli Stielike looks grave as he watches the friendly match against Iran at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday. / Yonhap

Replays show Azmoun pushing Kim roughly to score what should have been a disallowed goal as the goalkeeper positioned his hands around the ball.

“Losing because of a fouled goal is unacceptable. I hope to meet the Iranians again with a good referee next time,” Stielike said at a press conference held immediately after the match. “We carried out plays as we had planned. We made several chances by maximizing ball possession, and only gave Iran two. We will be able to do well at the Asian Cup.”

Azmoun’s scuffle wasn’t the only bad apple that spoiled the barrel.

After Azmoun’s controversial goal, the home team kept busy lying on the ground after skirmishes and minor collisions, or passing the ball around among defenders to pass time. With minutes left before the final whistle, Iran looked to be running out the clock by refusing to pass the ball over to Korea when it was Korea’s turn to draw in.

A frustrated Kwak Tae-hwi jostled Ashkan Dejagah, who was keeping the ball, causing a brawl between the squads. Heated discussion continued after the match came to a close.

Korean defenders, however, looked alive on the field. Center backs Jang Hyung-soo and Kwak kept the ball away from goalkeeper Kim, while Park Joo-ho went supply back and forth between defense and offense. Goalkeeper Kim punched away several volley shoots including one by Iranian striker Reza Ghoochannejhad.

Iran and Korea have played against each other since 1958, and have since become Asia’s greatest rivals. Korea, ranked 66th, now holds nine wins, 12 losses and seven draws against Iran. Iran has now secured three successive wins over Korea so far and has recorded two wins and two losses under Stielike. The last time it scored a goal at Azadi was during the Asian qualification round for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Both Korea and Iran will take part in the Asian Cup slated for Jan. 9 through 31, and Stielike is now set to announce the final roster for the continental football championship, having evaluated players over four friendly matches since he took the national team’s helm. Iran will face the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain in Group C, while Korea has been pitted against Australia, Oman and Kuwait in Group A.