Soccer-Roundup-Disappointing start for new Iran coach Daei

SINGAPORE, March 22 (Reuters) - Soccer news in brief from around the world:

* Iran's woes continued when they were beaten 1-0 by Bahrain in a friendly in Manama on Friday ahead of next week's 2010 World Cup qualifiers.

Coach Ali Daei had a miserable first game in charge with his team going down to a goal by Mohamed Hussain. Iran, who have not scored in open play since last July, also had Bolton Wanderers midfielder Andranik Teymourian sent off towards the end.

Three-times World Cup qualifiers Iran travel to Kuwait for their Group 5 match next week.

* Portuguese Joao de Deus has been appointed Cape Verde Islands coach on a two-year contract, the country's football federation said on Saturday.

De Deus, previously the team's physical trainer, replaces Brazilian Ricardo Cordeiro Rocha, who left at the end of his contract late last year, and will be in charge for World Cup qualifiers against Cameroon, Mauritius and Tanzania.

* Asian champions Iraq were held to a goalless draw in a friendly with Kuwait on Friday ahead of their World Cup qualifier with Qatar.