Super sub ‘Gucci’ wins it for Iran after ‘selfie’ ban; Ahmed chip leaves Qatar red-faced

BRISBANE: Iran snatched a dramatic late winner against the United Arab Emirates at the Asian Cup on Monday — but were careful not to celebrate by taking “selfies” with female fans.
Substitute Reza Ghoochannejhad, nicknamed “Gucci” by his club mates at Charlton Athletic, popped up to score in injury time to give Iran a 1-0 victory and secure top spot in Group C, meaning they are likely to avoid holders Japan in the quarterfinals.
“UAE perhaps deserved to win,” Iran coach Carlos Queiroz told reporters. “I think they are the best team in West Asia — they’ve been together a long time.
“But our substitutes had experience and did the job when they came on to win it for us.”
Iran’s players have incurred the wrath of the country’s authorities after posing for photographs with female fans who have turned out in droves to watch their games in Australia.
They have been formally warned to stop by the Iranian Football Federation’s moral committee, which claimed players risked being used as a “political tool” if snapped with women.
Iran, who lifted the Asian Cup three times in a row between 1968 and 1976 but have failed to win it since, underlined their title credentials with a third straight victory.
UAE finished second in the group and are expected to face Japan next, barring a shock defeat against Jordan in Melbourne on Tuesday, while Iran will face either Iraq or Jordan.
Bahrain completed Qatar’s humiliation with a 2-1 win in the group’s dead rubber, leaving the 2022 World Cup hosts rock bottom without a point from three matches, Sayed Ahmed the match-winner in Sydney with a sublime late chip.
However, the day belonged to Iran after their match in Brisbane appeared to be headed for the tournament’s first stalemate following a record 20 games without a draw.
But in a reminder that politics is never far away from the sporting arena in Tehran, Ali Akbar Mohamedzade, head of the FA’s moral committee, issued a stern warning after photos of players with adoring female fans circulated on social media.
“National team players should be (careful) that ... those who take pictures with them don’t use these photos against the players,” Iran’s Shahrvand newspaper quoted him as saying.
“According to this, they should not take photos. If the players don’t respect this, we will be obliged to take action.”
Women are banned from men’s sports events in Iran, but Team Melli have been feted like rock stars in Australia, with fans tweeting pictures of themselves with the players.