Stalemate in Shenyang as China draw with Iran [VIDEO]

AFC – SHENYANG, China got off the mark in Group A with a 0-0 draw against Iran at Shenyang Olympic Stadium on Tuesday in their Russia 2018 Asian Qualifier final round match.

The result, which leaves the group delicately balanced, follows hot on the heels of China’s narrow defeat to Korea Republic last Thursday and Iran’s last gasp win at home to Qatar.

“I am satisfied with my players’ performance. We have eight rounds to go, and I hope we see this scenario positively,” said China coach Gao Hongbo.

“It was a very physical game and Iran are a tough opponent, one of the two best teams in the group along with Korea Republic.

“It was a pity that we lost the first game. The second game we improved ourselves. Every player contributed to this game, and I thank them for that.”

There were barely five minutes on the clock when Masoud Shojaei found himself clear on goal, but the Iranian ended up in the referee’s book after clattering into the onrushing Zeng Cheng.

The luckless China goalkeeper required lengthy treatment and although he bravely got to his feet, was taken off shortly after to be replaced by Gu Chao.

Iran were having the better of the early exchanges, and an early cross from full back Ramin Rezaeian found Sardar Azmoun in the box but the striker’s header drifted off target.

It was Iran’s turn to lose a man to injury in the 21st minute, as defender Pejman Montazeri landed awkwardly following an aerial challenge and appeared to dislocate his shoulder. He was replaced by Jalal Hosseini.

Azmoun then flashed a shot wide across goal on the run, before Saeid Ezatolahi placed a header on the roof of the net following a bout of head tennis in the China box.

China’s best chance of the first half fell to young striker Zhang Yuning, who swivelled on a dime on the edge of the box and lashed a shot just over the crossbar.

Fans were treated to more of the same in the second half as chances continued to pile up but a final product was lacking on both sides.

The hosts looked much livelier after the break as Zhao Mingjian found space on the right, cutting back past his marker and into the box before laying the ball off to Zhang Yuning, whose shot was blocked by Morteza Pouraliganji.

Zhang Linpeng had the fans on their feet with a marauding run through the middle that took him past three Iran players in the 71st minute.

The full-back laid the ball off to substitute Zhang Xizhe who then found Wu Lei with a pinpoint through pass but the striker found the ball stuck under his feet just as he was trying to round goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand.

Iran second half substitute Mehdi Torabi then draw a sprawling save from Gu with his shot from distance before Zhang Xizhe tested Beiranvand with a stinging drive at the other end in injury time, but the goalkeeper blocked and then dove on the ball at the second time of asking.

“At the beginning we had hoped to take the lead with very aggressive attacking. However, we encountered China’s strong counter-attack. It was a very intensive game, highly competitive,” said Iran coach Carlos Queiroz.

“I’m a bit disappointed about the result because we had expected to win. We were on top in terms of possession and opportunities and I thought we could do enough to take all three points within the 90 minutes.

“But to be honest not only for us, but for other away teams playing in this atmosphere, it won’t be easy for them to get points. So we are OK with taking one point home with us.”

Photos: Lagardère Sports