Iran secured a confident 2–0 victory over Tanzania in an international friendly at Rashid Stadium in Dubai on Tuesday evening, a result that underlined the gulf in class and experience between the two sides. Goals from Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh and Mohammad Mohebi, both in the first half, gave Amir Ghalenoei’s side a comfortable win in what proved to be an efficient, if unspectacular, performance.
For Tanzania, coached by Hemed Morocco, the match was a valuable learning experience against a higher-ranked Asian opponent, despite moments of promising play that failed to yield a breakthrough.
Iran Assert Early Control
From the opening whistle, Iran looked determined to put the disappointment of their CAFA Nations Cup final defeat behind them. They controlled possession early on, dictating the tempo with neat passing exchanges through midfield.
Their persistence paid off in the 17th minute when Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh confidently slotted home from the penalty spot after being brought down inside the box. His calm finish sent the Tanzanian goalkeeper the wrong way and set the tone for what would become a dominant Iranian display.
Barely ten minutes later, Mohammad Mohebi doubled the lead. Pouncing on a loose ball, he struck a crisp half-volley that flew past the goalkeeper to make it 2–0. It was a goal that reflected Iran’s sharpness and composure in front of goal—qualities that Tanzania, for all their effort, could not match in the opening half.
Tanzania Show Promise but Fall Short
After the break, Tanzania introduced a raft of substitutions—Morice Abraham, Lusajo Mwaikenda, and Abdul Sopu among them—as Morocco sought to inject fresh energy into the side. The Taifa Stars did improve, pressing higher and showing greater intent through midfield, led by Novatus Miroshi, whose long-range effort in the 60th minute narrowly missed the target.
But for all their spirit, the East Africans struggled to penetrate Iran’s well-drilled backline, marshalled by Morteza Pouraliganji and Ali Nemati. Whenever Tanzania looked close to creating danger, Iran’s defensive discipline—and the composure of goalkeeper Payam Niazmand—kept them at bay.
At the other end, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, introduced in the second half, could have extended Iran’s lead, twice firing wide from promising positions. Still, Iran’s control of the match never looked in serious doubt.
A Useful Test for Both Sides
While Iran used the friendly to fine-tune their preparations ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Tanzania approached it as an opportunity to measure themselves against elite opposition. The Taifa Stars, who recently qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, showed flashes of progress and resilience despite the defeat.
The performance of young midfielder Novatus Miroshi stood out—energetic, brave, and unafraid to take responsibility. Substitute Miano Danilo also came close late on, his shot curling just wide in the 86th minute, a reminder of Tanzania’s potential when they play with confidence.
For Iran, coach Amir Ghalenoei took the chance to rotate his squad, handing minutes to fringe players and testing new tactical variations. The result reinforced his side’s depth and balance—qualities that will prove vital as they chase consistency in upcoming competitive fixtures.
Confidence Boost for Iran, Lessons for Tanzania
At full-time, Iran’s two first-half goals proved decisive. The victory restored momentum for Team Melli, extending their strong run of form and offering reassurance after recent setbacks.
For Tanzania, the defeat carried valuable lessons rather than disappointment. Against one of Asia’s top footballing nations, the Taifa Stars showed heart, organisation, and a glimpse of their growing maturity on the international stage.
“It was important for us to respond well after the CAFA final,” said Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei. “We created chances and managed the game well.”
Tanzania coach Hemed Morocco remained optimistic: “This was about learning. We played one of Asia’s best teams and saw where we need to improve.”
Final Score:
🇮🇷 Iran 2–0 Tanzania 🇹🇿
Goals: Hosseinzadeh (17’ pen), Mohebi (26’)
Venue: Rashid Stadium, Dubai
Attendance: Approx. 8,000
Referee: Abdulrahman Al Jassim (Qatar)
