late goal from Zyad Chaabo handed Syria a priceless point as they drew 1-1 with AFC Asian Cup 2007 qualifying Group B favourites Iran at the Azadi Stadium on Wednesday evening.
TEHRAN - A late Zyad Chaabo header earned Syria a 1-1 draw and a vital point from their AFC Asian Cup 2007 Group A qualifier against three-time champions Iran on Wednesday evening.
Chaabo pulled Syria level two minutes from time following a corner after Javad Nekounam had given Iran the lead in the 71st minute.
The result leaves the two teams level on four points, with Iran having played one game less than their Syrian counterparts as a result of their preparations for the World Cup finals in Germany.
Wednesday's game was Iran's first competitive fixture under former Esteghlal boss Amir Ghalenoei and, after a cagey opening 20 minutes, the hosts gradually took command.
Reza Enayati went close to opening the scoring when he met Mehrzad Madanchi's cross from the right and, in the 30th minute, good combination play involving Enayati and Rasoul Khatibi almost allowed Mehdi Mahdavikia - the team's newly installed captain - to unlock the Syrian defence.
Enayati continued to cause the Syrians problems and he thought he had given Iran the lead late in the half, only for his effort to be ruled out for offside.
With recent Osasuna signing Nekounam commanding in central midfield, Iran were in control of the game but were unable to make that domination count.
Khatibi saw his glancing header cross the line only for that effort to also be annulled due to an offside infringement and the Iranians started trying their luck - in vain - from long range.
Madanchi escaped down the Iran left to provide another promising move for the home team before feeding Khatibi, but his shot - after beating two defenders - was straight into the arms of Syrian goalkeeper Mowsaab Balhowss.
Iran finally took the lead, however, in the 71st minute when Nekounam found a way past Balhowss, the ball being deflected across the goal line by an unfortunate Syrian defender.
The profligacy of the home side was to prove their undoing as Iran failed to add to their total despite the introduction of the lively Javad Kazemian for Mahdavikia.
And, with two minutes left in the game, Chaabo headed home to maintain Syria's hopes of qualifying for the Asian Cup finals for the first time since their appearance in the United Arab Emirates in 1996. |