ESFAHAN, Iran -- Guam was eliminated from World Cup qualifying with a 16-0 loss to Tajikistan on Sunday.
Guam was outscored 35-0 in its two losses in Asia Group Two. On Friday, Iran
routed Guam 19-0, setting records for both goals and victory margin in a World
Cup qualifier. Iran got six goals from Karim Bagheri against Guam, five from
Ali Daei, four from Ali Kaimiri and three from Furhad Majidi,
The previous mark was set by Iran in a 17-0 rout of the Maldives on June 2,
1997. Bagheri scored seven goals in that game, tying the World Cup record set
by Australia's Gary Cole in a 10-0 win over the Fiji Islands.
Guam is tied for 200th with Bhutan among 203 teams ranked by FIFA, ahead of
only No. 202 and No. 203 American Samoa. Iran, which beat the United States 2-1
in the first round of the 1998 World Cup, is ranked 40th.
On Jan. 26, Guam lost to China 19-0 in an Asian Cup qualifier.
Tajikistan plays Iran on Tuesday in the final Group Two game. The winner
advances to next year's 10-nation Asian final.
AP NEWS
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