Australia snatch point from Iran in Olympic qualifier

PFDC - TEHRAN, Australia's U23 held a dominating but too harmless Iranian team to the draw they had aimed for in the two sides' first Olypmpic qualifier in Tehran on Wednesday afternoon.

Croat boss Vinko Begovic's well organized Iranian team overtook the initiative from the start and was superior to their counterparts in almost every aspect, however, in absence of anything close to a goalgetter the hosts barely could create real danger, although numerous half-chances were created throughout the match.

Neither the hard working but again sometimes too egoistic Mehrdad Oladi nor his replacement as lone striker upfront in the 4-2-3-1 system after 67 minutes, Shahram Goudarzi, were able to be a real threat to the well organized Australian defense.

However, Iran's midfield clearly outclassed the visitor's midfield and the Iranian defense was very stable; it was no co-incident that Australia didn't manage to get one single shot on the very secure looking Sousha Makani's goal.

Iran's best chance had come after seven minutes when Oladi had sent Milad Meydavoudi through on goal, but the leftwinger had been unable to beat Australia's good goalkeeper Vukovic in a one-on-one situation.

Iran and Australia are grouped with Saudi Arabia and Jordan in Group D in the second phase of Olympic qualification. The top-two of each group will advance to final stage of the qualification.

Iran - Australia 0-0

Olympic Qualification, Group D

Goals: -

Iran's lineup: Makani - Hamoudi, E. Karimi, Nazifkar, Hamidi - Kolahkaj, Pouladi - Kaabi (C), Ravankhah (90' Nazeri), Meydavoudi (76' Ahmadi) - Oladi (67' Goudarzi)

Bookings: Pouladi, Kaabi - Burns, Broxham, Griffin