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12.February.2009 at 15:00
World Cup Qualifier
Azadi Stadium, Tehran
Attendance : 80000
Referee: 7
Opponent Confederation: AFC
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Iran
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1 - 1
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Korea Rep.
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World Cup Qualifier / Group 2-match |
Coach : Ali Daei
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TEHRAN - Park Ji-sung scored a late equaliser to earn Korea Republic a 1-1 draw at Iran in a Group B clash in the final round of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers at the Azadi Stadium on Wednesday.
Iran had gone ahead in the 58th minute through Javad Nekounam but Manchester United winger Park fired home the equaliser with eight minutes remaining.
Iran started well and should have scored after just two minutes when Masoud Shojaei’s shot flew over the crossbar five minutes before Nekounam's header went wide.
But Korea Republic gradually got themselves into the game and created their first real chance in the 35th minute when Yeom Ki-hun’s dangerous free-kick was well saved by Sayed Mahdi Rahmati.
Yeom had another chance three minutes before the break when he sent another free-kick on target that Rahmati pushed behind for a corner before the Mes Kerman keeper then denied Kim Chi-woo.
Iran made a good start to the second half and deservedly took the lead after 58 minutes when Nekounam stepped up to strike a powerful free-kick from the edge of the area that beat goalkeeper Lee Woon-jae.
Korea Republic set about grabbing an equaliser immediately and almost levelled the scores two minutes later when Lee Keun-ho connected with a cross but his close-range header slammed against the crossbar.
Iran continued to pressure their opponents and went close again in the 73rd minute when Mohammad Reza Khalatbari’s powerful shot from inside the area was pushed away by Lee for a corner.
Korea Republic went all-out-attack in the last 15 minutes in search of an equaliser and their pressure eventually paid eight minutes before time when Yeom’s free kick was denied by Rahmati but Park reacted quickly to fire home the equaliser.
Iran pushed for a late winner and bombarded the Korea Republic defence with several attacks in the remaining minutes but failed to create any notable chances and had to settle for a share of the spoils. |
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