IRAN 1-1 ANGOLA

21 June 2006

Iran ended Angola's slim hopes of qualifying from Group D, as they held the African side to a 1-1 draw in Leipzig on Wednesday, 21 June 2006.

Angola scored their first-ever goal at a FIFA World Cup™ finals when Flavio headed home Ze Kalanga's cross on the hour mark. However, their hopes of catching Mexico on goal difference were ended when Sohrab Bakhtiarizadeh rose unmarked to convert Mehdi Mahdavikia's corner 15 minutes from time.

The result left Angola in third place behind Portugal and Mexico with two points, while Iran propped up the table with this, their solitary point of the tournament.

The match:
5': After a slow start to the game news filtered through to Leipzig that Portugal had taken the lead against Mexico. This made the Angolan fans inside the stadium dance with delight, as they hoped to help inspire their team to victory.

13': Vahid Hashemian nodded the ball to Ferydoon Zandi on the edge of the area. The Kaiserslautern midfielder skipped inside the box and hit a low shot, which Joao Ricardo did well to parry.

15': Figueiredo's drive from the edge of the box forced Ebrahim Mirzapour into a low save as the Africans pushed forward.

20': There was bad news for Angola as they had two players stretchered off inside 60 seconds. First Mateus left the field after sustaining what looked like a serious leg injury, and then Loco needed medical attention after being involved in a challenge with Hashemian. While Mateus was replaced by Love, Loco was able to continue, having been booked for his foul on the Iranian striker.

24': Iran had a great opportunity to take the lead, but veteran striker Ali Daei missed the target, heading over from just four yards when completely unmarked. The man with 109 international goals to his name was visibly frustrated by his profligacy.

27': For the second time in three minutes, Iran went close. Hashemian rose above the Angolan defence and directed a header towards goal, but Mendonca cleared off the line. Rahman Rezaei sliced the rebound wide.

31': Both coaches were left frustrated by the finishing of their strikers. First Akwa blazed a volley over the crossbar and when play switched to the other end, Zandi was guilty of the same crime.

34': Angola had four corners in a row, but they were unable to create a clear-cut chance and Miloy ended the spell of pressure for the Palancas Negras when he dragged his 20-yard effort wide of the target.

40': Andranik Taymoorian sent in a strong, right-footed effort from 20 yards that forced Joao Ricardo into a fine low save. The keeper also had to be alert to pounce on the rebound as Daei closed in.

45+2: Akwa touched the ball to Love on the edge of the box and his drive was superbly tipped over the bar by Mirzapour. Adventurous Angola
47': Angola started the second half brightly. Less than 100 seconds after the restart, the ball fell kindly for Mendonca in a promising position outside the box, but the midfielder saw his right-foot shot drift just wide.

52': Mendonca went a little closer with a 25-yard effort, the ball flying narrowly off target.

60': Angola took the lead with a superbly taken goal. After showing good skills in the centre of the pitch, Figueiredo played the ball to Ze Kalanga who sprinted down the right-hand side. His ball into the box was perfect and a grateful Flavio headed the ball home for his 14th international goal. (0-1)

69': In almost a carbon copy of the goal, a Ze Kalanga cross from the right was headed towards goal by Love, but this time Mirzapour was well-placed to save the striker’s effort.

75': Against the run of play, Iran drew level. After winning a corner on the right-hand side, which was taken by Mahdavikia, the unmarked Sohrab Bakhtiarizadeh headed the ball into the net, to the fury of Angola No.1 Joao Ricardo. (1-1)

84': Iran's goal appeared to dent Angola's sense of belief and the Africans risked conceding a second as Rasoul Khatibi's shot on the turn was palmed over by Joao Ricardo.

In conclusion:
The odds were always stacked against Angola reaching the Round of 16 going into this match, but when they took the lead through Flavio their hopes were suddenly raised. However, Bakhtiarizadeh’s equaliser effectively ended their dreams. In a spirited display from both sides, a draw was probably the fair result, although Angola will be frustrated that they could not convert more of their opportunities.