Iran on the cusp after comfortable win

Iran put one foot in the final round of 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ qualifying with an emphatic 4-1 win over Indonesia in Jakarta today. Iran dominated from the kick-off, testing Indonesia's keeper in the first minute and putting away their first goal in just the seventh courtesy of a sturdy strike from Milad Meydavoodi. The Indonesians were already eliminated, and Iran capitalised on some sloppy passing as they bagged two more in four first-half minutes through midfielder Mojtaba Jabbari and striker Gholamreza Rezaei. Indonesia felt a slither of hope in the 44th minute, when Bambang Pamungkas headed into the net past Iran's 'keeper Seyed Mahdi Rahmati to reduce the half-time deficit to 3-1. But Iran crushed any lingering ambitions of a revival in the 73rd minute when captain Javad Nekounam converted a penalty. Iran now lead Group E on 11 points, three better than Qatar, who play Bahrain later. The Iranians will reach the final stage with a game to spare if Bahrain fail to beat Qatar in Doha.