Iran struck twice in the first half to emerge 2-0 winners against Oman in their Asian Cup last-16 match at Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
Alireza Jahanbakhsh opened the scoring on 32 minutes after poking in a ball that Oman defender Mohammed Al Musallami failed to clear. Ashkan Dejagah then doubled the lead from a spot-kick awarded against Saad Al Mukhaini, another erring Oman defender, for his foul on Mehdi Taremi four minutes from half time.
Thereafter, Carlos Queiroz's side controlled the game through possession for a major portion of the second half.
Had it not been for a save from Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand, however, Oman would have taken the lead in the second minute of the game.
The Arabian Gulf side were awarded a penalty when Iran defender Majid Hosseini brought down Oman's Muhsen Al Ghassani, but Beiranvand blocked Ahmed Al Kano’s spot-kick moments later.
Iran will now face China, who came from behind to beat plucky Thailand, in the quarter-finals.
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