Ghazi saves Iran blushes against Jordan [VIDEO]
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PFDC – DUBAI/TEHRAN, The Iranian football national team avoided defeat in a friendly match against Jordan in Dubai on Thursday evening. Persepolis superstar Ali Karimi’s goal and Zob Ahan’s Mohammad Ghazi’s injury time strike saved a 2-2 draw for Iran.
Young Iran striker Karim Ansarifard had good opportunities to score the lead for the Iranians within the first 20 minutes, but he failed to hurdle Jordan’s keeper twice.
The Jordanian national team was able to strengthen their line of defence and destroyed nearly every tiny effort by Iran striker Gholamreza Rezaei, Reza Norouzi or the previously mentioned Ansarifard.
Not surprisingly, Jordan’s Ahmed Hayel scored the lead after a terrible blunder by the Iranian defence (38′). Goalkeeper Mehdi Rahmati couldn’t save the ball as centreback Hadi Aghily deflected Hayel’s shot after a turnover by Karimi.
Iran obviously failed to impress and put pressure on the Jordanian national team in the first 45 minutes.
Queiroz reacted and subbed in Pejman Nouri, Mohammad Ghazi and Mohammad Nouri. Underperforming Rezaei, Norouzi and Hadadifar had to stay in the dressing room.
Iran again suffered a backstroke after Iran goalkeeper Rahmati had to stop a Jordanian striker unfairly within the penalty area, consequently the referee didn’t wait and awarded a penalty kick, which was converted perfectly by Abdallah Deeb (55′).
Finally, Iran could pull one back thanks to skipper Ali Karimi, following a wonderful cross by Ansarifard (67′). Karimi’s initial effort to the serving could be deflected by the keeper, however, Karimi got to the ball again, shoving teammate Mohammad Nouri out of his way, to head the ball into the net from close range.
An injury time goal by Ghazi helped Iran to at least secure a draw. Mahini perfectly crossed the ball into the penalty area from the right and striker Ghazi did what a real striker usually should do, powerfully heading the ball past the goalkeeper and putting the many Iranian fans in the stadium in ecstasy.
Both Iran and Jordan have already qualified for the next and final stage of Asian World Cup qualifiers.
Iran will host Qatar next Wednesday while Jordan travel to Beijing to entertain China on the same day.
IRAN – Jordan 2-2 (0-1)
Friendly match, Zayeeb Stadium, Dubai
IRAN:
Rahmati – Mahini, Aghily, Hosseini, Hajsafi – R. Haghighi, A. Karimi (86′ Feshangchi), Hadadifar (46′ P. Nouri)- Gh. Rezaei (59′ M. Nouri), R. Norouzi (46′ Ghazi), Ansarifard (80′ Y. Karimi)
Goals:
0-1 Hayel (38′)
0-2 Deeb (55′ / penalty)
1-2 Karimi (67′ / assist by Ansarifard)
2-2 Ghazi (91′ / Mahini)
Bookings:
Karimi, Rahmati, Ghazi
