GOAL - In a rematch of the semi-final of the
2004 Asian Cup, Iran didn’t get revenge against China but they did come back
from two goals down to draw 2-2 in an enthralling Group C tie in Kuala
Lumpur.
It was a game of two halves. China controlled
the first while Iran dominated the second in the Malaysian capital.
China raced into a 2-0 lead in the opening period but Iran fought their way
back to leave both teams have four points from two games and on course for
the quarter-finals.
The east Asians started excellently against a nervous looking Iranian
defence. Goalkeeper Hassan Roudbarian dropped an early corner but defender
Zhang Yaokun couldn’t force home the loose ball from close range.
Iran went behind to Uzbekistan in their opening game before fighting back to
win 2-1 and they were a goal down after seven minutes of their second match.
25 yards from goal, Shao Jiayi smashed a free-kick into the top left corner.
Roudbarian got a hand to the shot from the Energie Cottbus star but couldn’t
prevent the ball nestling in the back of the net.
Just after the half hour, China moved further ahead. Zheng Zhi, who will
miss the next game through suspension, crossed from the right to the
unmarked Mao Jianqing on the left side of the area. The Shanghai Shenhua
star had time to pick his spot and half-volleyed the ball into the bottom
right corner of the Iranian goal.
Iran tried to hit back. Hashemian shot wide from close range and three
minutes before the break, Mehdi Mahdavikia’s elected to shoot unsuccessfully
from outside the area instead of passing to the unmarked Andranik
Teymourian.
On the stroke of half-time, Team Melli were back in the game in fine
fashion. Ferydoon Zandi rocketed a free-kick into the top left corner of the
Chinese goal giving goalkeeper Li Leilei no chance.
The second half was all Iran but a stubborn Chinese defence gave little
away.
Mahdavikia headed over just after the hour and a few minutes later Rahman
Rezaei also put a header wide from close range. China’s back-line was
getting deeper and deeper but for all their possession, the Iranians were
having problems fashioning clear chances
That soon changed and after 74 minutes Zhu Guanghu’s men paid the price for
sitting back.
Osasuna midfielder Javad Nekounam rose above the Chinese defence to head
home Mahdavikia’s cross for his 17th international goal.
In the final round of Group C matches on Wednesday, China face Uzbekistan
while Iran take on Malaysia.
1: China 4 2: Iran 4 3: Uzbekistan 3 4: Malaysia 0
