Khalatabari goal beats Russia [VIDEO]

Iranian caretaker Alireza Mansourian had to do without La Liga due Javad Nekounam and Masoud Shojaei, as well as injured striker Karim Ansarifard and Reza Norouzi.

With possible future Team Melli coach Carlos Queiroz watching the game from the stands, Mansourian went for a offensive version of the 4-3-3, with Khosro Heydari and Ehsan Hajsafi as offensive minded fullbacks and playmakers Mohammad Nouri and Ghasem Hadadifar as two midfielders beside defensive midfielder Andranik Teymourian.

Russia had the slightly bigger share of the game in first half, however, Iran also showed a good build-up at times, while also successfully relying on counter attacks.

Unfortunately the Iranians showed bad decision making in front of goal, either taking premature shots, like Arash Afshin (1′), Andranik Teymourian (19′), Mohammad Gholami (30′) or Mohammad Nouri (41′), or hesitating too long, like Mohammad-Reza Khalatbari.

The nimble striker had stolen the ball and approached goal, however, instead of taking a shot with only the goalkeeper to beat from slightly tight angle he decided to play the ball square and a defender’s foot put an end to Iran’s excellent scoring opportunity.

On the other side also Dick Advocaat’s men had plenty of opportunities to break the deadlock, but Kerzhakov (5′), Denisov (19′), Zyrianov (25′) and Bystrov (25′) all either failed to get their promising shots on target or were denied by the flawless Mehdi Rahmati in Iran’s goal.

It was again Iranian youngster Afshin who was responsible for the first highlight moments after the restart when he hammered his shot past the far post. Substitute striker Hadi Norouzi tried his luck after a solo run ten minutes later, but also scrambled his effort past the post.

The Persepolis winger indeed proved to improve Iran’s attack, escaping his markers and the offside repeatedly, but failing to execute a perfect finish again in minute 62, when his shot was saved by the keeper.

On the other side Rahmati was on alert on a thunderous freekick and a good shot form far outside.

Both sides looked eager to grab a winner for the remains of second half, however, increasing tiredness due to the high pace of the game took it’s toll and no further chances were created.

None apart from one, which should be the winner for Iran. A great throughball by Mohammad Nouri found Khalatbari on the left wing, who took on almost the whole highly reputed Russian defense, dribbled to center and smacked the ball past a chanceless Akinfeev to give Iran a sweet friendly match victory over the number 12 of the FIFA world rankings.

The already booked Khalatbari received his marching orders for pulling his shirt off during the celebration of the goal, which couldn’t spoil the party for neither the goalscorer nor the Iranian team or fans.

Iran – Russia 1-0 (0-0)
Friendly match, Abu Dhabi

Goal:
1-0 Mohammad-Reza Khalatbari (90′ / Assist by Mohammad Nouri)

Iran: Rahmati – Heydari, Aghili, Hosseini, Hajsafi – M. Nouri, Teymourian, Hadadifar (90′ Mobali) – Khalatbari, Gholami (52′ Gholami), Afshin (64′ Rezaei)

Russia: Akinfeev – A. Berezutsky (46′ Bilyaletdinov), V. Berezutsky, Ignashevich, Shishkin (46′ Anyukov) – Denisov, Zyryanov, Bystrov (46′ Pavlyuchenko), Torbinsky (46′ Mamaev) – Kerzhakov (68′ Semshov), Arshavin

Bookings: Khalatbari – Pavlyuchenko

Suspension: Khalatbari (90′ second yellow)