Iran, South Korea draw in Asian Cup soccer qualifier

AFP
September 2, 2006
SEOUL (AFP) - A last-minute equalizer from striker Vahid Hashemian earned Iran a 1-1 draw against South Korea at the Seoul World Cup Stadium in a Group B qualifying match for the 2007 Asian Cup.

The Bundesliga-based star silenced the home fans with the game's last kick after a calamitous mix-up in the Korean defence.

Seol Ki-hyeon's first-half header had looked like the winner until the Iranian fired home.




But new Korean coach Pim Verbeek will take comfort from the fact that his team still lead Group B with seven points from three games. Iran stay in second with five points. Syria and Taiwan are third and fourth respectively.

The first half was high on tempo but low on quality in the final third as Korea struggled to create clear-cut opportunities against an Iranian team that was happy to defend and looking to attack on the break.
 

Korea's goal came on the stroke of half-time. The lively Kim Do-heon floated a right-sided free-kick into middle of the Iranian penalty area where Seol Ki-hyeon climbed above a number of defenders to send a powerful header into the bottom corner of the Iranian net.

The goal forced Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei to field a more attacking formation in the second half. Iran's only effort of note in the first period was an off-target Ali Karimi shot after 25 minutes.

But Korea still had more chances in the second half.

With 20 minutes remaining Zenit St. Petersburg midfielder Lee Ho sent a spectacular overhead kick just inches wide from the edge of the area.

Four minutes later Kim Sang-sik had a goal-bound effort blocked on the line.

Tension was rising and the home fans' worst fears were realized with just seconds remaining on the clock.

Kim Sang-sik was caught dawdling on the ball by Hashemian on the edge of the area and the striker immediately turned and smartly chipped Korean goalkeeper Kim Young-kwang.

South Korea can clinch qualification for next summer's Asian Cup with a win against Taiwan on Wednesday while Iran travel to Syria.