Hashemian fires Iran to victory

Fcbayern - Bayern newcomer Vahid Hashemian spent three years in self-imposed international exile, refusing to play for Iran after a bitter dispute with the local association. But the 28 year-old eventually relented after listening to pleas from home fans and resumed his national career in September.

That decision paid off in spades on Wednesday as Iran kept alive their hopes of qualifying for the 2006 World Cup with a 3-2 victory over Qatar in Doha, the Reds striker emerging as man of the match with two goals.

Hashemian found the net after just nine minutes, only for Meshaal Mubarak to equalise on 18 minutes before Mubarak Mustafa put Qatar in front with a quarter of an hour remaining. Arash Borhani struck a 78th minute equaliser before Hashemian's moment of glory, an 89th minute winner to put the Iranians in an optimal position going into the final Asia Group 1 match on 17 November at home to bottom team Laos.

Over in European qualifying Group 6, England faced a potentially tricky trip to Azerbaijan. Sven Goran Eriksson's men continued their winning run, a Michael Owen header on 80 minutes proving enough for victory on a wild and windy night in Baku. Bayern midfielder Owen Hargreaves should have energy to spare for Saturday's meeting with Schalke as he spent the match on the bench.

The Dutch had a point to prove after a disappointing 2-2 draw with Macedonia in midweek and Marco van Basten's men duly responded with a 3-1 defeat of Finland in Amsterdam. The Scandinavians poached the lead thanks to Teemu Tainio on 14 minutes, but a double-quick double strike from Wesley Sneijder (39) and Ruud van Nistelrooy (41) saw the home side go in at the interval with their noses in front. Van Nistelrooy settled the issue with his second on 63 minutes. Bayern striker Roy Makaay came on after 77 minutes for Romeo Castelen.

Brazil experienced exactly the opposite fortunes to the Dutch, following up a 5-2 gala victory over Venezuela at the weekend with a dour goalless draw against Colombia in Maceio. Zé Roberto played the first 84 minutes before giving way to Edu, but Lucio spent a second international in a row on the bench.

Over in Asuncion, Paraguay met Peru although the Bayern contingent was decimated by injuries to the home nation's Roque Santa Cruz and the visitors' captain Claudio Pizarro. Instead, Paolo Guerrero began as a substitute for the Peruvians. Paraguay took a 20th minute lead through Carlos Paredes, but Guerrero came on for Andres Mendoza after 67 minutes and immediately made an impact. The Bayern reserve striker fell under a challenge from the Paraguay keeper after 74 minutes, Aston Villa man Nolberto Solano converting the ensuing penalty to earn his side a 1-1 draw.