Team Melli held to 0-0 draw with China

Persianfootball.com – SHENYANG, The Iranian football national team tied against China in the World Cup qualifier match in Shenyang on Tuesday afternoon. China celebrates a draw against an Asian top team while Iran will shed tears over two lost points.

Iran, as expected, started with the classic 4-2-3-1 formation. In contrast to the victory against Qatar last week, fresh forces were introduced by Iran coach Carlos mainly due to Dejagah’s injury in the last qualifier and tactical thoughts with regard to China’s speedy counterattacks.

Iran mainly dominated the first half in the well-filled Shenyang stadium and created a lot of good opportunities through Rostov striker Sardar Azmoun, Rostov midfielder Saeid Ezzatollahi or Greek side Panionios midfielder Masoud Shojaei, but failed to score the well-deserved lead.

The Chinese side focused on counterattacks most of the time and tried to stabilize their defence against the Asian powerhouse although China defended rather shaky than solidly.

In the second half both teams neutralized each other also as a result of bad field conditions. Both teams barely had notable chances to score the relieving goal.

China had a dangerous moment in the Iranian penalty area after a bad return pass by Rezaeian but the Chinese striker was not able to utilise the error instead relied on a penalty whistle from the Jordanian referee but it remained silent.

In the dying minutes of the match, Iran defender Morteza Pouraliganji had a chance through a header after a Jahanbakhsh corner kick but missed the chance from close range.

China – IRAN 0-0
World Cup 2018 qualifier, Shenyang

IRAN: Beyranvand – Rezaeian, Montazeri (23‘ Hosseini), Pouraliganji, Mohammadi – Teymourian, Ezzatollahi – Jahanbakhsh, Shojaei (76‘ Ghoochannejhad), Amiri (73‘ Torabi)– Azmoun

Booking: Amiri