Iran begin road to Russia with disappointing draw [VIDEO]

Persianfootball.com – DAGUSZ, Iran’s national team began their Russia 2018 qualifying campaign with a backlash, only managing to get a 1-1 draw in Turkmenistan.

Iran, without the injured Ashkan Dejagah and Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Jalal Hosseini  played their first game without retired captain Javad Nekounam, but had the best possible start, when Sardar Azmoun scored a brilliant goal after four minutes for a very young Iranian team.

The young striker penetrated the box from the left and finished off with a well placed shot into the near corner, a goal that had striking similarities to Iran’s winning goal by Mehdi Torabi in Uzbekistan last week.

Iran were head and shoulders above the hosts from the beginning, and despite facing troubles with the sub-par pitch, should have added a couple of goals more in first half, especially when Sardar Azmoun’s header was denied by the woodwork.

Turkmenistan still managed to create some danger then and when, especially when their light-footed right wingers went on one on ones against Iran’s tired looking defensive players.

And such a scene led to the equalizer in injury time of first half, when captain Andranik Teymourian easily lost a one on one on the left Iranian defensive side and right-back Vouria Ghafouri let loose his man inside the box, who got to the end of a square ball and left Alireza Haghighi no chance.

Iran brought on Omid Ebrahimi and Mehdi Taremi for the unconvincing Masoud Shojaei and Mehdi Torabi at halftime and later added Reza Ghoochannehad as third center forward for Vahid Amiri shortly after the hourmark.

Yet, Team Melli, despite their dominance, were unable to create many clear cut chances, mainly because the crosses and set pieces lacked precision. Still Taremi should have scored the winner when he found himself alone in front of the keeper, but headed the ball wide of target.

Turkmenistan stayed harmless and eventually also survived thanks to impressive grassrolling skills, which remained unsanctioned.

In the other game of the group India suffered their second defeat, this time losing to Guam, who had already beaten Turkmenistan last week.

Iran will next take on Guam in Azadi stadium and India on the road in September.

Turkmenistan – Iran 1-1 (1-1)

Goal for Iran: Sardar Azmoun (4′)

Iran’s lineup: Haghighi – Ghafouri, Kanaani, Montazeri, Hajsafi – Teymourian, Heydari – Torabi (46′ Ebrahimi), Shojaei (46′ Taremi), Amiri (65′ Goochannejhad) – Azmoun