Coach : Amir GHALENOEI
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Jordan and Iran played out a goalless draw at the King Abdullah Stadium on Friday in the final match of the LG Peace Tour in the Jordanian capital.
AMMAN - Jordan and Iran played out a goalless draw at the King Abdullah Stadium on Friday in the final match of the LG Peace Tour in the Jordanian capital.
Iran, who defeated Iraq 2-0 in the first match of the tournament on Wednesday, welcomed the return of former AFC Player of the Year Ali Karimi, who was named team captain by coach Amir Gholenoei.
Meanwhile, Jordan were strengthened by the addition of six players from AFC Cup champions Al Faisaly, who joined the team after playing for their club in the Arab Champions League on Tuesday.
The only notable chance of the first half came in the 23rd minute when a long range effort by Iran midfielder Kianoush Rahmati just cleared the Jordan crossbar.
The visitors held the upper hand in the second period, threatening Amer Shafi's goal on several occasions.
They went close to opening the scoring on the hour when Hamid Shafeeie burst clear with only Shafi to beat but was denied by the Jordan goalkeeper.
Shafi also turned aside a header by Bolton Wanderers midfielder Andranik Teimourian in the 70th minute while a header by Hadi Shakouri two minute later went wide.
Iran's best chance to break the deadlock came in the 78th minute when a pass by Karimi found an unmarked Mehdi Rajabzade in the Jordan box, only for Shafi to come to his side's rescue once again.
The home side finished the game with 10 players after Shadi Abu Hashhash was sent off in the final minute after picking up his second yellow card for a foul on Teimourian.
Both sides are preparing for the 2007 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers with Jordan travelling to Pakistan on Wednesday while Iran visit Chinese Taipei on the same day. |