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Iran lifts J.R.D. Tata Cup

By S. Sabanayakan

The Iran squad snapped with the J.R.D. Tata Cup in Jamshedpur on Monday. — Photo: Sushanta Patronobish

JAMSHEDPUR Sept. 22. Iran had the wherewithal to excel on the rain-drenched pitch to quell the challenge of Uzbekistan and win the J.R.D. Tata Cup International invitational football tournament here on Monday. Iran's 2-0 victory in the 70-minute final was achieved through goals by Milad Midavoodi and Nader Ahmadi, once in each half.

The final of the 12-day tournament never looked like coming off owing to heavy rain for more than an hour. As the ground staff began to clear the water, came the second spell but it ceased abruptly to allow the title clash start 75 minutes after the scheduled time.

The tournament being an invitational in nature, the organisers had the last say whether to conduct the match or not. Apparently, both Iran and Uzbekistan agreed to play a truncated game for the benefit of a goodly gathering.

Either of the team could have wished to stay away but gladly agreed to take the field. This gesture was well appreciated by all.

The conditions were perfect for Iran's style of play. Being a matured side, it used the aerial passes to good effect. Uzbekistan, knowing full well that the ball would not roll smoothly, failed to change its pattern of play.

Iran not only struck very early but its hard tackling defenders ensured that the Uzbeks did not get much time on the ball to stretch them.

Before the teams could settle down on a slushy underfoot conditions, came Iran's strike in the third minute. After a midfield exchange, Iran's captain Milad Nori drove a diagonal pass to the left side of the box. An alert Milad Midavoodi raced in to see the Uzbek custodian Alexander Lobanov rushing out only to slip and slide. The Iranian striker placed into the empty goal for his fourth goal of the tournament.

As the game progressed, it looked increasingly difficult for the Uzbeks to cause much anxiety with their type of play. The Uzbeks did succeed in playing their customary short passing game with their five-player midfield taking charge. It did not last long as Iranians came out with body charges in most cases to break the rhythm of Uzbeks.

The second goal came in the 68th minute when Mehrdad Oladi Ghadikolaei worked past three defenders on the left side and pulled the ball back to top of the six-yard box. The Uzbek defence was caught napping and the goal-keeper failed to intercept. Nader Ahmadi pushed home.

As many as six Iranians and three Uzbeks were booked by Indian referee Binod Kumar Singh.

Padma Shri Chuni Goswami and All India Football Federation secretary Albert Colaco jointly gave away the winner's trophy to Iran and Inder Singh handed over the runner-up trophy to Uzbekistan. India TFA White was given the Fair Play Trophy.

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