Iran clash with S Roma

by Martin Reza Babry


PFDC - ROME, Italian giants AS Roma handed Asian giants Iran a bitter 3-5 defeat in Rome’s Olympic Stadium. Iran, who had taken the lead after six minutes through Ali Daei, played well for half an hour, but then fell behind 1-5 before scoring two more second half goals, despite having been reduced to ten men during first period.

Iran equal to Roma's star ensemble

Iran had to do without several key players, as foreign based Mahdavikia, Hashemian and Rezaei remained at their clubs, while Navidkia, Nikbakht-Vahedi, Badavi and Kavianpour missed out due to injury. Also recalled veteran player Azizi did not play, as he had not travelled to Italy with the team. AS Roma lined up all of their star players - Francesco Totti, Antonia Cassano, Philippe Mexes, Christiano Panucci, Traianos Dellas & Co., all were present from the start.

Still Iran was at least equal over the first 30 minutes. Already after two minutes, playmaker Karimi sent Borhani through on goal, but the youngster was stopped by a splendid last second tackling by French super talent Mexes. Four minutes later, however, a cross from young Iman Mobali found Ali Daei in center, the veteran striker putting Iran ahead with a beautiful header.
Roma almost immediately equalized, but Cassano, found by Totti, was stopped by a great Golmohammadi-tackling. Iran then was unlucky not to double the lead, when the again impressively playing Karimi then single handedly curved around no less than four Roma players, before pulling off an amazing left footed shot, but being denied by the woodwork.

Totti-hattrick too much for Iran

In minute 17, however, Francesco Totti caught the whole Iranian team napping, when Roma played a free kick from left side short, and Totti equalized with a well placed effort.

Iran, after Karimi's solo effort, still had a couple of dangerous scoring opportunities in first half, the best one came by defender Nosrati in minute 21, who today covered the left back position. The "magical" Karimi once more could only be stopped by a foul, Mobali's free kick went into the wall, however Nosrati's shot forced Roma's keeper to an amazing save. But Roma got stronger towards the end of first half and caused more and more trouble to Iran's now shaky looking defense.

Totti had two excellent scoring opportunities, being denied by Iran's keeper Mirzapour twice. The well performing Mirzapour then also was equal to Cassano's good shot after 31 minutes, but was chanceless a minute later, when Totti put Roma ahead from outside the area. Again two minutes later, Totti made it 3-1, converting a direct freekick in world class manner.

Three minutes before halftime, things turned from bad to worse for a now defensively struggling Iran, when a penalty kick was awarded to Roma, which was easily converted by Cassano.

During dying minutes of first half, Cassano, through on goal, was pulled down by Kaabi, who got suspended immediately. A basically correct call by the young Italian referee, however, usually in friendly matches such cards are not given, as the whole test - the main purpose of this match - for both teams will be spoiled by such an expulsion.

Ten Iranians win second half 2-1

Iran, now with Zare for Borhani and Roudbarian in for the well performing Mirzapour, started well into second half, despite having one player less than the runners up of last Serie A season. But the third placed of the last Asian Cup conceded another unnecessary goal after 10 minutes, centre-half Mexes making it 5-1 from a corner.

This goal brought Iran's defensive insecurity from last 10 minutes of first half back, allowing a couple of chances for Roma, who meanwhile had brought former Italian national team strikers Montella and Delvecchio for Totti and Cassano.

Iran, however, found back into the game, and, lead by the inspiring Ali Karimi, could cause trouble for Roma's defense repeatedly. After some minutes of pressure, midfielder Nekounam scored the deserved 2-5, with a very good shot from outside the area. The white clad Iranians then even scored their third in minute 90, following a great combination between substitutes Enayati and Farzad Majidi, the latter hammering the ball into the upper left corner from the edge of the box.

It was an overall well deserved victory for AS Roma, who simply played the faster football than the Iranian team, whose players are used to more slow paced matches of Iranian IPL and Asian competitions. Iran's players on many occasions were simply too far away from their opponents, which a world class team like Roma of course immediately punishes. Only by playing against stronger opponents regularly, this circumstance can be changed.

The positive aspect for Iran, however, was the proof that scoring opportunities can be created and goals can be scored easily against any strong opponent. Also the very impressive Ali Karimi at least partly could make up for a rather disappointing result, showing his ability to give a headache to any defender in the world.