PFDC - KECSKEMÉT, Iran showed a strong performance in a friendly match against Tunisia in Hungary on Wednesday evening and were unlucky to be held to a 2-2 draw by Tunisia in the end.

Carlos Queiroz experimented on some positions against the toughest opposition Team Melli faced ever since the Portugese took over last year, trying out midfielder Maziar Zare in central defense and young debutant Omid Nazari in defensive midfield instead of skipper Javad Nekounam, who thanked his boss with a solid performance. Additionally, Ehsan Hajsafi and Ghasem Hadadifar got chances to show themselves as well.

However, the anticipated debut of Reza Ghoochannejhad didn't take place. Seemingly the Belgium based striker, who already trained with the team since last Thursday, still hasn't received his player pass and therefore wasn't even among the listed substitutes.

Dangerous Iran

Although both sides had equal shares of possession throughout the game, it was Iran who always looked dangerous, while Tunisia only impressed by efficiency upfront, eventually taking full advantage of their two sole real scoring opportunities.

Team Melli on the other hand had numerous chances, the first occuring after just four minutes when Karim Ansarifard got past the last defender after being well inscened by Mohammad-Reza Khalatbari, but the Persepolis forward's effort could be blocked by the keeper.

Ashkan Dejagah's shot from the rebound then was deflected to the woodwork by the goalkeeper's foot.

Another good chance presented itself for Ansarifard in minute 29 after good work from Dejagah and Ali Karimi, but the young striker again lacked concentration in finishing and chipped the ball over the target.

Just moments later, Dejagah found himself through on goal after a quick one-two with the very strong Khalatbari, dribbled past the keeper but stumbled and saw his weak effort from tight angle cleared off the line by a defender.

Hadadifar could have crowned his solo run through midfield with a goal shortly before halftime, but his shot under pressure from the edge of the area curled past the post.

Second half goal festival

Also in second half it was almost only Iran, with Nekounam, who had come on for Karimi at halftime, tested the keeper with a good freekick soon after the restart.

Khalatbari then finally broke the deadlock in minute 53 after Khosro Heydari dribbled past his marker and foundd the the nimble winger in center, who smashed the ball into the net.

However, Tunisia immediately equalized with their first real effort on goal through Young Boys Bern defender Ammar Jemmel after a corner kick, due to poor marking in Iran's box.

Iran could have restored the lead a few minutes later after a counter attack, but Khalatbari's shot was saved and Ansariafard smacked the rebound past the target from outside area.

But right at the hourmark Iran again went in frton when Khalatbari got the ball on the flank thanks to a good Maziar Zare pass, couldn't be stopped by several players and crossed to ball to Mohammad Ghazi, who headed the ball into goal with one of his first ball contacts after having replaced Ansarifard barely two minutes earlier.

Khalatbari then got the ball after a defensive mistake and approached goal eight minutes later, but his finish wasn't strong enough to beat the keeper this time.

Seven minutes from time, Tunisia again equalized with their second and final effort on goal today. Kuwait SC's Issam Jomaa, unchallanged by Heydari, easily headed the ball into the net after a simple cross from midfield.

Iran should have had a final chance to score a highly deserved winner when Dejagah inscened Nekounam a minute into injury time, who's shot was blocked by a defender's arm inside the penaltly area, but unfortunately the referee denied Iran the spotkick.

Nevertheless, it was a good display by Team Melli against strong opposition and Carlos Queiroz' men can look forward to the test in Jordan (September 4) and the World Cup qualifier in Lebanon (September 11) optimistically.

Iran - Tunisia 2-2 (0-0)
Friendly match, Kecskemét, Hungary

Goals:
1-0 Khalatbari (53' / assist by Heydari)
1-1 Jemmel (55')
2-1 Ghazi (60' / Khalatbari)
2-2 Jomaa (83')

Iran's lineup: Rahmati - Heydari, Aghily (46' Montazeri), Zare, Hajsafi - Karimi (46' Nekounam), Nazari (79' M. Nouri), Hadadifar (46' P. Nouri) - Dejagah, Ansarifard (58' Ghazi), Khalatbari (87' Ebrahimi)