It is a teamwork that Iran did not execute and plans collapsed.
It was a sad end for a team that has showed so much promise to collapse in such a manner.
After two matches without a goal, Ali finally popped up in the Semifinals to take his tally to eight, level with Ali Daei.
The 24 teams were drawn into six groups of four.
Surely he knew his players much better than we do and hence he never intimidated the Championship.
The hope was to lift the cup but it was not to be and it was heart breaking for millions of fans.