Wales and Iran in search of first win Friday

Wales and Iran will both be going in search of their first wins of the 2022 World Cup when they face off at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium on Friday.

Rob Page’s Wales side rescued a point against USA in their opening fixture, while Iran were on the end of a 6-2 pummelling at the hands of England as their World Cup campaign began in the worst possible fashion.

Hopes will be higher of picking up points against Wales, although both sides may be going into the game uncertain of what to expect with the two having only previously met on one occasion.

That contest came all the way back in April 1978 too, when former Cardiff City defender Phil Dwyer scored the only goal of the game on his debut in a friendly in Tehran.

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Dwyer also had a goal disallowed and hit the post in an all-action display from the debutant, who went on to win 10 caps and score twice for his country in total.

It was not ideal warm-up for the 1978 World Cup for Iran, who went on to finish bottom of their group behind Peru, Netherlands and Scotland – against whom they picked up their only point  in Argentina.