Iran drops opener of three-match tour 

OAKLAND, California, Jan 9 (Reuters) - Mexico beat Iran 2-1 in a memorable first encounter on the soccer pitch between the two nations as Iran began its three-match California tour on a losing note on Sunday. 
All three goals in the friendly were scored by veterans of the 1998 World Cup finals with Luis Hernandez and Cuauhtemoc Blanco scoring for Mexico and Ali Daei recording Iran's goal. 
The match featured a total of 10 France '98 starters -- six from Iran and four for Mexico. 
Although both managers had played down the importance of results, vast sections of Iranian and Mexican supporters urged their teams with chants and cheers, and the two sides responded with spirited attacks. 

Mexico, prompted by 20-year-old midfielder Juan Pablo Rodriguez, applied pressure from the opening kickoff and free kicks by the young star from Mexican club Atlas set up both of 
his team's goals. 
Iranian keeper Hadi Tabatebei rescued his team with a fine save of a shot by Daniel Osorno in the first minute as the Iranians struggled to match the Mexicans' pace. Two minutes later, Mexico grabbed a 1-0 lead on a near-post header by Hernandez from a Rodriguez free kick. 
Mexico doubled their lead in the 18th minute with a similar set piece from the opposite side. This time, Rodriguez's curling ball was met by Cuauhtemoc Blanco, who stooped to flick 
a header over Tabatebei. "We had a lot of success at some points but some breakdowns 
at the beginning," said Iran coach Mansour Pourhaidari. 
"We had problems with two free kicks that cost us two goals and it was an uphill battle from there." Despite having their defence breached early and often, Iran's quickness tested Mexico's back line. 

Midfielders Esmaeil Halali and Alireza Emamifar stretched Mexico, which also found the height and strength of striker Ali Daei difficult to cope with. Daei, one of several Iranians who play club soccer in Germany, cut the deficit in half with a penalty kick in the 26th minute. Ramon Ramirez fouled Halali, who had slipped behind Ramirez on a pass from Khodadad Azizi, and Daei drove in the spot kick. 
Emilio Mora should have restored Mexico's two-goal lead early in the second half, but Tabatabei saved Iran again by blocking Mora's point-blank attempt. Chances abounded at each end throughout the second half as the defences crumbled. Hernandez shot wide and later was snuffed by Tabatabei on a breakaway. Moments after coming on as a substitute in the 70th minute, Iranian midfielder Siroos Dinmohammadi clipped a shot over the bar from the edge of the goal area. 

Mexican goalkeeper Cristian Martinez, pressed into service with Jorge Campos on vacation, dove at the feet of Ali Mousavi just inside the penalty area in the final minutes to deny Iran 
the draw their efforts deserved. Iran next faces Ecuador in Los Angeles on Wednesday before 
taking on the United States in a World Cup rematch at the Rose Bowl next Sunday.