Saudi Arabia vs. Iran
Match Report
6 September 2008
Late Nekounam goal rescues Iran
RIYADH: A late header from Javad Nekounam helped Iran salvage a 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia in their opening Group Two match of the final round of 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifying at King Fahad International Stadium on Saturday.
Saudi Arabia had taken the lead thanks to a 29th-minute strike from Saad Al Harthi but Nekounam's equaliser nine minutes from the end denied the hosts the chance of getting their campaign under way with a victory.
Saudi Arabia were the better side in the early stages and their first sight of goal came after 16 minutes when Mohammed Al Shalhoub saw a powerful shot fly wide.
Iran had their first opportunity four minutes later from a free-kick but Nekounam’s effort was pushed away by Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Mansour Al Najei.
The hosts then saw appeals for a penalty waved away when Faisal Al Sultan claimed to have been fouled inside the area by Mageed Gholamnejhad but Australian referee Mark Shield ordered play to continue.
Al Sultan had a chance to open the scoring four minutes later when he drove into the area and had only Seyed Mehdi Rahmati to beat but his shot was saved by the Iranian goalkeeper.
However, Saudi Arabia eventually broke the deadlock after 29 minutes when Abdullah Shuhail cut into the box from the left before feeding Al Harthi, who found the top left corner with a first-time shot past Rahmati.
Iran looked to hit back at the start of the second-half and Masoud Shojaei almost worked an opening for himself when he beat three defenders but lost control of the ball while Al Harthi headed over the bar at the other end.
Saudi Arabia came close to doubling their advantage on the hour mark but Mohammed Al Shalhoub saw a well-struck free kick pushed away by Rahmati.
Iran pressed forward in search of an equaliser with time running out and they were rewarded for their endeavours in the 81st minute when Shojaei headed a corner into the path of Nekounam and he nodded home from close range to seal a share of the spoils for Iran.
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“We were happy to get an equalizer in such a difficult game. And a team
which draws on the road is usually expected to win at home, or so the theory
goes.
“I think the Saudi team performance was not any better than us but we missed a lot of scoring chances in the second half that could have changed the outcome of the match.”
Saudi Arabia coach Nasser Al Johar skipped the post-match press conference and was represented by fitness coach Mirana who denied that his players were unable to last the course of the match.
“It was an open game and such a game can be difficult for any team,” the Brazilian said. “It was a difficult game for us to control but I am sure we will do better in our next fixture.
“It is not true that the fitness of the Saudi players was not enough to play for 90 minutes. Our players were prepared very well for this round of qualification.
“If they had scored from the big chances we had in the first half, we could have won the match by two or more goals.
“Missing those chances affected us in terms of self confidence but our general tactics in the match were not affected.”
“I think the Saudi team performance was not any better than us but we missed a lot of scoring chances in the second half that could have changed the outcome of the match.”
Saudi Arabia coach Nasser Al Johar skipped the post-match press conference and was represented by fitness coach Mirana who denied that his players were unable to last the course of the match.
“It was an open game and such a game can be difficult for any team,” the Brazilian said. “It was a difficult game for us to control but I am sure we will do better in our next fixture.
“It is not true that the fitness of the Saudi players was not enough to play for 90 minutes. Our players were prepared very well for this round of qualification.
“If they had scored from the big chances we had in the first half, we could have won the match by two or more goals.
“Missing those chances affected us in terms of self confidence but our general tactics in the match were not affected.”
Iran will complete mission: Daei
RIYADH:
Iran coach Ali Daei was relieved to see Team Melli snatch a point against
Saudi Arabia on Saturday with a 1-1 draw in their opening Group Two 2010
FIFA World Cup qualifier.
The Iranians were trailing 1-0 after Saad Al Harthi gave Saudi Arabia a 29th minute lead but Javad Nekounam's equalizer nine minutes from time ensured that the spoils were shared at King Fahad International Stadium.
“The match was difficult for both sides as they are two of the strongest team in Asia,” said the Iranian football legend.
”Saudi Arabia were the better side in the first half but we stormed back after the break and took possession and created many scoring chances.
“It is not fair to say that our performance was not good or it will not help our chances of qualifying for the World Cup. We have upcoming games to focus on now and I think my team is good enough to complete their mission.
RIYADH:
Iran coach Ali Daei was relieved to see Team Melli snatch a point against
Saudi Arabia on Saturday with a 1-1 draw in their opening Group Two 2010
FIFA World Cup qualifier.The Iranians were trailing 1-0 after Saad Al Harthi gave Saudi Arabia a 29th minute lead but Javad Nekounam's equalizer nine minutes from time ensured that the spoils were shared at King Fahad International Stadium.
“The match was difficult for both sides as they are two of the strongest team in Asia,” said the Iranian football legend.
”Saudi Arabia were the better side in the first half but we stormed back after the break and took possession and created many scoring chances.
“It is not fair to say that our performance was not good or it will not help our chances of qualifying for the World Cup. We have upcoming games to focus on now and I think my team is good enough to complete their mission.
Masoud Shojaei tackled by Saudi defender
SAUDI Prince complains about the referee.
Prince Sultan bin Fahad the President of the Saudi FA promised the fans a better result after the Saudi team failed to beat Iran at home.
The prince cited the referee's bad calls and depriving his team of two penalties as one of the reasons that Saudi Arabia team drew against Iran in their first match of the final rounds FIFA World Cup 2010. He demanded that AFC selected better referees for such crucial matches between two of the top teams in Asia.
Australian Mark Shields , considered amongst top Asian referees and winner of AFC Referee award in 2007 , has whistled against Saudi Forward Khalid bin Sultan in the first half after Majeed Gholamnejad tackled him in the penalty box.
Prince Sultan bin Fahad the President of the Saudi FA promised the fans a better result after the Saudi team failed to beat Iran at home.
The prince cited the referee's bad calls and depriving his team of two penalties as one of the reasons that Saudi Arabia team drew against Iran in their first match of the final rounds FIFA World Cup 2010. He demanded that AFC selected better referees for such crucial matches between two of the top teams in Asia.
Australian Mark Shields , considered amongst top Asian referees and winner of AFC Referee award in 2007 , has whistled against Saudi Forward Khalid bin Sultan in the first half after Majeed Gholamnejad tackled him in the penalty box.