UAE 0-1 Iran: Player ratings as Mehdi Ghayedi’s first-half strike for Team Melli was enough to sink the Sons of Zayed
Iran beat the UAE 1-0 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, courtesy of a first-half strike from Mehdi Ghayedi. The midfielder converted a wonderful chance to break the deadlock for Team Melli, who had their noses in front just seconds before half-time.
The Sons of Zayed needed a big performance after the break to fight their way back into the match but failed to break down a stoic Iranian defense, who kept them at arm’s length.
The wins keep Iran in second position of Group A with six points, behind leaders Uzbekistan on goal difference, whereas the UAE are on third. Here are the player ratings for both Iran and the UAE.
UAE National Team Player Ratings vs Iran
Goalkeeper
Khalid Eisa – 6.5
The UAE shot-stopper had a comfortable outing in goal as Iran rarely threatened, but made two vital saves, although Eisa had no chance with Ghayedi’s strike
Defenders
Khaled Aldhanhani – 7
Having lost possession 23 times, he was too sloppy on the ball, but a thorn in Iran’s flesh off it with his perfectly-timed tackles. In fact, he attempted five, while also blocking one shot and making two clearances.
Khalifa Al-Hammadi – 6
Al-Hammadi made four clearances, as he moped up everything in front of him to ensure things are kosher at the back for the Sons of Zayed. However, his involvement gradually reduced as the match went on.
Kouame Autonne Kouadio – 7
The Al Ain midfielder was strong in the air, winning four duels, and showed excellent vision to make six clearances too. The mortar to UAE’s brick, Kouadio was vital to keeping the scoreline respectable.
Abdulla Idrees – 6.5
Idrees didn’t roam forward much but more than made up for that with solid defending, registering two clearances, interceptions, and tackles each.
Midfielders
Yahia Nader – 6.5
Operating as the deepest-lying midfielder, Nader was the battering ram that was crucial to breaking down Iran’s movements, and he did it quite successfully too. A 91% pass completion rate to boot too.
Harib Suhail – 8
UAE’s player of the evening with two key passes and six crosses laid. His precocious dribbling skills were on display too, as Suhail turned the Iranian defense inside out with his nimble feet. A fearless competitor of the ball, Suhail also won 11 of his 15 ground duels.
Abdullah Al Menhali – 7.5
A prolific tackler, Al Menhali completed six of them in the game and registered two clearances too. A little more attacking flair could’ve definitely helped the Sons of Zayed.
Tahnoon Alzaabi – 6.5
Alzaabi struggled to win his duels but was effective on the ball, completing 89% of his passes and laying two crosses. He combined well with his attacking cohorts and even made an attempt to score himself, although it was off-target.
Yahya Alghassani – 5.5
Not the best day at office for the Shabab Al Ahli star, who cut a rather clueless figure in the attack. Lasting almost an hour, the 26-year-old completed just 14 passes, and won just two of his five ground duels. Both his goal attempts were blocked too.
Forwards
Caio Canedo – 4
The UAE striker was a complete non-factor during the clash, failing to muster a single effort on target despite playing the entirety of the game. Credits also go to Iran for boxing him up Canedo didn’t see much space to work into.
Substitutes
Ali Saleh – 5
He replaced the ineffective Alghassani but was hardly a better replacement.
Fabio Lima – 6
He circulated the ball around well and created one good chance in the closing stages too.
Isam Faiz – 6.5
Faiz merely came on to see the game off.
Fahad Badr – 6.5
He came along with Faiz and struggled to make an impact.
Manager
Paulo Bento – 6.5
Just the second loss as the UAE manager for Paulo Bento, who took charge of the side in June 2023. Since then, he’s worked wonders with the Middle Eastern outfit but things didn’t seem to click tonight against one of Asia’s strongest sides.
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Iran Player Ratings vs UAE
Goalkeeper
Alireza Bieranvand – 7
The Iranian custodian too didn’t really face many challenges, but was vigilant throughout and made two saves when needed. He also bagged a clean sheet here.
Defenders
Saleh Hardani – 6.5
A vital figure in defense for Team Melli, Hardani made three clearances and blocked one shot. He was quite sloppy in possession though, giving it up 16 times during the game.
Hossein Kanaani – 6.5
Kanaani was important to circulating the ball from defense and showed exemplary positional awareness.
Shoja Khalilzadeh – 7
With six clearances, Khalilzadeh demonstrated wonderful reading of the game and won three of his four ground duels too. The centre-back’s passing, though, was questionable at times.
Milad Mohammadi – 7
Mohammadi was overwhelmingly involved in defense, making vital clearances to nip UAE’s chances in the bud while also laying one key pass to open up a chance for his side.
Midfielders
Omid Noorafkan – 6
An average performance from Noorafkan, who offered no great shakes either defensively or while going forward.
Saeid Ezatolahi – 7
Tough in tackles, Ezatolahi was biting at the heels of the UAE forwards, always looking to pluck the ball off them. In fact, he won five of his six ground duels and made two interceptions.
Forwards
Alireza Jahanbakhsh – 6
The Iranian ace struggled to win his duels but made some vital interventions defensively throughout the game. He even mustered two shots in the game, one of which was on target.
Saman Ghoddos – 6/10
He was rarely involved during the game, completing just 10 passes in 57 minutes while his only effort at goal was off-target too. If that wasn’t enough, Ghoddos was also booked for an ill-timed challenge early into the second half.
Mehdi Ghayedi – 8
The 25-year-old winger put Team Melli in front with a clinical finish just moments before half-time. That was perhaps his only notable piece of action until he was taken off in the 57th minute.
Mehdi Taremi – 5
An uncharacteristically poor game for Iran’s prolific hitman, who misfired badly. All three of his efforts on the night were off target, missing two big chances too.
Substitutes
Ali Gholizadeh – 6
He replaced Ghayedi just before the hour mark but was hardly any better.
Sardar Azmoun – 6
The Iranian Messi had an off day, failing to light up the stadium with his usual attacking brilliance.
Mohammad Ghorbani – 6
He made sure the UAE don’t find a late equalizer to share the spoils.
Mohammad Karimi – N/A
He came in the dying embers with only a few seconds remaining on the clock.
Manager
Amir Ghalenoei – 6.5
The Team Melli manager set his side out to play on the counter and they looked effervescent in the first half, wherein his side even managed to break the deadlock.
FAQ’s
Q. What was the result of UAE vs Iran?
The match between UAE and Iran ended in a 0-1 win for Iran.
Q. When was UAE vs Iran?
The match between UAE and Iran was played on 10th September 2024 at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium.
Q. Who was the man of the match in UAE vs Iran?
Mehdi Ghayedi won the Man of the Match award in the game between UAE and Iran.
Q. Who was the worst performer in UAE vs Iran?
Caio Canedo was the worst performer in UAE vs Iran.