Nekonam draws a smile on Ivankovic lips, Syria dismiss Palestine in West Asian Games

Iranian Reza Enejati (L) fights for the ball against Qatari Wesam Abdulmajid during their match as part of the 2nd West Asian Games in Kuwait 08 April 2002

MEF - KUWAIT CITY, April 9: Iran suffered throughout the second-half of their game against Qatar, before Javad Nekonam earned them all three points from a glancing header in the 84th minute, stirring his side to a flattering 2-1 victory over their counterparts.
The winners, who started their campaign with a 2-2 dismal draw against Palestine, broke the deadlock after 9 minute, Javad Kazemian finding the back of the net from a swinging drive beyond stranded keeper Amer Al-Ka'abi.
Veteran schemer Abdulaziz Hassan brought both sides on level terms after 20 minutes, capitalizing on a defensive blunder from Mohamed Peirovani to slot home with ease, but the last laugh belonged to Javad Nekonam who placed a terrific header in the far corner after a brilliant cross down the right flank.
"We started on a bright note with the early opening goal," said Iran manager Branco Ivankovic of Croatia.
"However, we have to work on some defensive drawbacks in our scheme of play in order to enhance the side's chances to claim the gold medal."

Iranian Hamed Kavianpoor (L) fights for the ball against Qatari Ali al-Marri (R) during their match as part of the 2nd West Asian Games in Kuwait 08 April 2002

Iran will be measuring themselves on Wednesday against Syria who stopped Palestine's fairytale when they handed them a 2-1 narrow defeat, two days after holding hosts Kuwait to a 1-1 draw.
All-round midfielder Ammar Habib gave the winners a 23rd-minute lead from a swinging drive from just inside the penalty area, before Imad Ayyoub, playing his club football at Egyptian side Al-Tersana, headed home from close-range in the 48th minute as Palestine looked the more composted after the interval.
Ayyoub himself turned out to be a villain in the remainder of the second-half, squandering two brilliant chances to win the Game for Palestine, before Raja Nafee banged home the winning goal in the 89th minute, following a brilliant lay-off with striker Yahya Rashed.
Kuwait are now leading the table standings at the end of Day Three on goal-difference over Iran, Palestine and Syria, each side currently boasting 4 points.