TEHRAN – Iran national football team beat Qatar 2-1 in a friendly match in Doha as part of preparation for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup on Monday.

Mehdi Taremi gave Team Melli the lead in the 17th minute and Hassan Al-Haydos equalized the match from the penalty spot in the 42nd minute.

Sardar Azmoun scored the winner one minute after the break.

Qatar were reduced to 10 men in the 50th minute after Pedro Miguel received his second yellow card.

“It was an intense week training, with some extra fatigue on the players, but still a good preparation match against Qatar, fighting for the result and getting a prestigious victory for Iran. Total focus now on our first Asian Cup match, against Yemen,” Queiroz said after the match.

Iran have started training camp in Doha from Dec. 17.

Iran national football team have been drawn along with Iraq, Yemen and Vietnam in Group D of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.

The competition will be held in the United Arab Emirates from January 5 to February 1.

Reporting by Masoud Hossein