Iran dismiss Kuwait to top group

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2008

TEHRAN (AFP) — Iran on Sunday eased past Kuwait with a convincing 2-0 victory to top their World Cup group and create some momentum for the rest of their qualifying campaign.

Iranian captain Javad Nekounam, who plays in Spain for Osasuna, scored the first goal in the 17th minute at Tehran's Azadi stadium with a dazzling strike from outside the penalty area.

The second goal hit the Kuwaiti net in the 93rd minute after a stray ball was shot in by Gholam Reza Rezaei who benefited from some extraordinary confusion in the Kuwaiti defence.

The result leaves Iran atop Group 5 in Asian qualifying with 12 points, making up for the lacklustre start to its campaign earlier this year and giving under-pressure new coach Ali Daei some breathing space.

Iran had...