BEIJING, 7 August 2004 — Ali Daei struck two late goals as Iran beat Bahrain 4-2 to finish third at the Asian Cup yesterday despite finishing with nine men in another bad-tempered game.

The 35-year-old striker scored twice in the last 10 minutes in Beijing, once from the penalty spot, marking his final Asian Cup game by taking his tally to 97 goals in 129 internationals.

Tempers flared in injury time, however, as Iran midfielder Mehdi Mahdavikia was sent off along with Bahrain midfielder Talal Yusuf for their part in a 20-man brawl.

Iran, who were decimated by three suspensions in the group stage, had already lost substitute Arash Borhani, dismissed for a wild tackle in the 72nd minute.

The three-time champions were also shown two red cards in the semifinals, when they were beaten on penalties by China.

“Again we played the last 30 minutes without one player,” said Croatian Branko Ivankovic, who is set to step down as Iran coach.

“But Ali Daei showed how important he is to us because he is a leader and a great player. We need him. I don’t know how long, it’s up to him. I hope he will play a little bit longer.”

Ali Karimi again provided the spark for Iran against a valiant Bahrain side, who lost 4-3 to holders Japan in the semis.

Karimi scored one goal and earned an 80th-minute penalty for Iran, who won the Asian Cup in 1968, 1972 and 1976.

His exquisite 52nd-minute lob was his fifth goal of the Asian Cup, making him the tournament’s joint top scorer with Bahrain striker A’ala Hubail.

Bahrain coach Srecko Juricic praised his team’s run to the last four after finishing bottom of their group in their only previous Asian Cup appearance in 1988.

“I think we can be satisfied with the performance,” said the Croatian.

Hosts China play Japan in the final in Beijing today.

Kenya’s Suspension

Lifted by FIFA

In Zurich, the Kenyan Football Federation (KFF) had its international suspension provisionally lifted after a meeting of FIFA’s Emergency Committee yesterday.

The suspension from all international competitions was imposed on June 2 because of government interference following the disbandment of KFF’s executive committee in March.

“After listening to a report from the FIFA administration, the Emergency Committee provisionally lifted the suspension imposed on the Kenya Football Federation as the Normalization Committee led by Kipchoge Keino, the President of the Kenyan National Olympic Committee, had met all of the necessary conditions,” FIFA said in a statement.

“The Committee held two lengthy round-table discussions with representatives from Kenyan soccer and the Kenyan government and concluded that the KFF will resume its activities.”