25 Jun 2011

Iran's Olympic football dream ends

6:58 am on 25 June 2011

Iran's hopes of playing in the 2012 London Olympic football tournament vanished as they were beaten 2-0 by neighbours Iraq in the second leg of a second-round qualifier in Tehran.

Two goals by Amjad Radhi, one either side of half-time, put 2004 Athens Games semifinalists Iraq through to the third round of qualifiers.

Iran, who last qualified for the Olympics in 1980, beat Iraq 1-0 in the first leg last weekend.