PFDC – CHONGQING, Iran escaped defeat in their second match of the 2004 Asian Cup, through a goal in fourth minute of injury time. Oman had already lead 2-0 at halftime through a brace by Al Hosni, but second half goals by Karimi and Nosrati saved a today not convincing Iranian team.

Iran with problems from the start

Croatian Branko Ivankovic changed his lineup on one position, Hossein Kaabi being replaced by fellow Olympic Team player Mohammad Alavi. Alavi took Yahya Golmohammadi’s position in midfield, the veteran being moved to central defense, while Mohammad Nosrati was switched to Kaabi’s spot in right side of the four-back.

These changes, however, in no way improved the stability in Iran’s backline, rather the Iranians showed weaknesses in defense from the start, especially whenever Oman operated with high balls into the center. However, barely any chances occurred, until in minute 30 Al Maimani sneaked through Iran’s defense, but his shoot being too weak to trouble Mirzapour.

Two minutes later there was no chance for the Iranian goalkeeper, when two Oman-players were played through on goal – in what looked to be a clear offside position – and Al Hosni leaving Mirzapour no chance.

Whoever expected the Iranian team to immediately respond, should be disappointed. Except a Golmohammadi-header going wide, the Iranian offensive play remained harmless as before. Other than that, Oman - now given more space by the forward pressing Iranian team - were able to create danger for the Iranian goal. Five minutes before the break, the red clad Persian Gulf nation, launched a deadly counter attack. Due to the Iranian player’s failure to attack the ball holder seriously enough and Nosrati’s bad positioning in center, Al Hosni was able to double the lead.

Team Mellis show character

With Enayati coming on for the once more disappointing Borhani at halftime, a more exciting match, with several scoring opportunities on either side, could be observed in second half. Four minutes into the second period, Enayati almost put his mark on the match, but his header to a Mahdavikia-freekick sailed over the bar. Six minutes later, Messina Calcio defender Rahman Rezaei pulled an opponent on his way to goal down, and was lucky to only see the yellow card. Again two minutes and another Rezaei foul later, a fight between Badavi and Rezaei broke out on the pitch, this, as Ivankovic later confirmed in the press conference, being one reason for the substitution of the beside that also poor performing Badavi.

In minute 58, Mirzapour then saved Iran, when Nosrati proved to be nothing more than a cole for his opponent, but the Foolad Khuzestan keeper pulling off an amazing save. Finally, two minutes after the hour mark, Iran pulled one back through Karimi. The ball somehow came to the sizzling playmaker via Daei, Karimi not hesitating long and beating Al Habsi with a shot into the far corner.

Iran now eager to equalize and Oman given much space for counter attacks, the fans then saw many scoring opportunities on both sides, with both Mirzapour and Al Habsi showing amazing saves.

Then, when almost nobody believed in a happy ending for Iran, Mahdavikia produced one of his famous crosses from a freekick, finding Nosrati in the box, whose header found it’s way into the net to put Iran in ecstasy and Oman in misery.

Macala very disappointed

An obviously very disappointed Macala then tried to explain the reasons for not winning the game. “We lost three points today�, the Czech said. “We are a very young team with little experience. The reason we didn’t win was not Iran scoring two goals, but us not capitalizing on the clear chances we had in second half.�

Macala then mentioned the bad foul on Al Hosni right ahead of Iran’s first goal, and how this “broke the concentration of the team�. He, however, forgot to mention the timewasting tactics by his side ahead of that, obviously aiming to break Iran’s concentration. Finally he admitted not to be sure if his team’s first goal was regular and especially praised the performance of Iran\s keeper Mirzapour, but also Ali Daei, Ali Karimi and Mehdi Mahdavikia.

Iran’s headcoach Ivankovic said it was the hard match he had expected. “Until the goal we had control over the match, but after that we lost organization.� The Croat added that due to taking higher risk then, Oman of course had more space for their attacks. Ivankovic then thanked the Iranian players for never giving up, despite being two goals down and the Omani team for the good competition they provided.

Being asked about the timewasting tactics Oman used in second half, he replied: “It’s no secret that especially Arab sides waste time and try to get the result over time with such tactics. But that is the referee’s concern, not ours, since there is nothing we can do about it. However, I’m glad the referee added enough injury time, so we could score the equalizer.�

He concluded reminding the public of the very young Iranian team, including player\s like Alavi or Zare, who had not even appeared for the Olympic side a few months ago. “Considering the story of the match�, Ivankovic finally said, “this was a good result for Iran.�

Oman – Iran 2-2 (2-0)

Asian Cup 2004, Group D

Chongqing Olympic Stadium

Goals:

1-0  Al Hosni (32’)

2-0  Al Hosni (41’)

2-1 Karimi (62’)

2-2 Nosrati (94’)

Lineups:

Oman: Al Habsi - Al Raqadi, Al Noobi, Al Naufali - Al Busaidy, Al Mukhaini (61' Badar), Al Mahajairi, Bait Doorbeen, Al Ghailani - Al Maimani (81' Ayiman), Al Hosni (65' Hamed)

Iran: Mirzapour – Nosrati, Golmohammadi (78’ Kaabi), Rezaei, Badavi (59’ Zare) – Nekounam, Alavi – Mahdavikia, Karimi, Borhani (46’ Enayati) – Daei

Bookings: Al Busaidy, Al Raqadi, Al Noobi – Rezaei, Nosrati, Nekounam