Iran provide second Menezes win

Iran provide second Menezes win


Brazil claimed a 3-0 friendly win over Iran in the United Arab Emirates to continue their winning streak since their FIFA World Cup™ quarter-final exit.

Goals by Dani Alves, Alexandre Pato and Nilmar gave Brazil their second win in as many games under new boss Mano Menezes, who coached the five-time World Cup winners to a 2-0 friendly triumph over the United States two months ago after he succeeded Dunga.

In the first ever meeting between the sides Brazil showed no mercy with their opponents right from the start as they recorded five shots on goal in the opening 20 minutes, including a Robinho attempt which hit the left-hand post.

They took an early lead as Alves fired a free-kick into the top-left corner via the upright in the 13th minute. As soon as the second half started, Menezes decided to give reserves the opportunity to play so Elias came in for debutant Philippe Coutinho, Giuliano for Carlos Eduardo and Sandro replaced Ramires, while Robinho came off for Nilmar.

Javad Nekounam gave the Brazilians a scare when he hit the post for Iran in the opening minutes of the second period, but twenty-four minutes after the restart Elias vindictaed Menezes' decision to alter the side as he set up Pato, who burst into the box to beat Mehdi Rahmati with a right-foot strike.

In the 73rd minute, Karim Bagheri was introduced for Masoud Shojaei to mark his farewell appearance for the national team, his 87th match for his country. The 37-year-old midfielder, who played for Iran in the 1998 FIFA World Cup, failed to add to his 50-goal international tally.

Nilmar missed the chance to make it 3-0 after receiving the ball from Andre Santos with six minutes left but made amends in injury-time, applying the finish to a Giuliano cross from the left at the far post.

Iran had the chance to reduce the deficit seconds before the final whistle as Bagheri assisted Andranik Teymourian, who shot wide, very close to the far post. Next up for Brazil is Ukraine, who they face in Derby on Monday.