USUAL SUSPECTS

Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia soar into last 16

BACK-from-retirement Sardar Azmoun fired Iran into the Asian Cup knockout phase on Saturday as Carlos Queiroz’s side reached the last 16 along with arch-rivals Iraq and Saudi Arabia.

Iraq’s comfortable 3-0 win over debutants Yemen saw them join Iran in advancing from Group D before the pair face off on Wednesday, in a repeat of their combustible quarter-final of 2015, to determine who finishes in top spot in the standings.

Azmoun, 24, quit the national team after fans rounded on him following Iran’s exit at last year’s World Cup, but he was the toast of Tehran once again with both goals in a 2-0 win over Vietnam.

Iran and Iraq, with four titles between them, joined already qualified South Korea, China and Jordan as the round of 16 began to take shape.

Queiroz singled out Azmoun after the Rubin Kazan forward’s double made him the tournament’s top scorer with three goals, and gave Iran a record ninth successive first-round victory.

“He’s a finisher,” said the Portuguese, now in his eighth year as Iran coach.

“We have high hopes for him for this competition. But the way the team is contributing around him, and our movement in the last third, are very interesting.”

Iran, looking to end a 43-year title drought since last winning Asian football’s most coveted prize, could have scored four or five but for some poor finishing in Abu Dhabi.

“It’s a pity our performance didn’t produce a couple more goals,” Iran coach Queiroz told reporters.

“But winning is the best medicine in football. To win two games and score seven goals — I have to praise my players because I am very demanding.”

Saudi Arabia also maintained their perfect record as they beat Lebanon 2-0, winning their opening two games for the first time since 1996 — when they last won the title.

Fahad Al-Muwallad smashed a loose ball into the roof of the net with just 12 minutes gone, and on 67 minutes Hussain Al-Moqahwi finished at the far post from Hatan Bahbri’s teasing cross.