Ghoochannejhad assists in Belgian ‘classico’ [VIDEO]

PFDC – LIEGE, In his third appearance for his new club, Reza Ghoochannejhad collected his first scorer point when he assisted the 1-1 in Standard Liege’s 2-2 draw against table-toppers RSC Anderlecht.

The Iranian international started for the second consecutive time after coming on as substitute in the first game after ther winter break and inscened striking-partner Batshuay well after 23 minutes, who cancelled out Anderlecht’s second minute lead.

Ghoochannejhad himself had two good chances in first half, but like in the previous game failed to crown a good performance with a goal.

Anderlecht looked in trouble when being reduced to ten men late in first half before Buyens’ 52nd minute strike put Standard in front.

The hosts tried to consolidate the lead by taking out Ghoochannejhad and bringing on midfieder Ono, but also had a player red carded shortly after the hour mark.

Nevertheless they looked like certain winners in minute 81 when the visitors were even reduced to nine men but conceded an unexpected equalizer three minutes afterwards as a dramatic end to the game dubbed as ‘classico’ in Belgium.

However, the point was enough for Liege to regain the fourth spot in the table.

Good Dejagah, no Shojaei

Ghoochannejhad will now head to Iran to join Team Melli’s training camp for the Asian Cup qualifier against Lebanon on Wednesday together with Ashkan Dejagah and Masoud Shojaei.

While Shojaei didn’t come on in Osasuna’s 1-0 win over Celta Vigo on Saturday after celebrating his comeback against Barcelona the week before, Ashkan Dejagah started for Fulham against Manchester United on the same day.

The winger was subbed out eight minutes from time after he showed a pleasing performance in the narrow 0-1 loss.

The other legionnaires, Alireza Haghighi from Rubin Kazan as well as Qatar based due Andranik Teymourian and Hadi Aghily, already joined the national team on Thursday while Ängelholms FF midfielder Omid Nazari is injured and Eintracht Braunschweig keeper Daniel Davari had to postpone his debut to due club duties interfering with the FIFA matchday.

The 25-year-old goalkeeper began the second half of German Bundesliga 2 in style on Saturday, helping Braunschweig to defend their top position in the table with a 2-1 win over Paderborn but being chanceless against a header from close range in injury time.