Iran Australia

TEHRAN - Iran’s football legend Ali Daei has said that he will never forget Iran and Australia match of November 1997.

He made the remarks on Tuesday at 14th anniversary of the encounter.

Iran forced its way into the 1998 World Cup after the team was held to a 1-1 draw in Tehran’s Azadi Stadium and 2-2 draw one week later at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

“There was a terrible atmosphere at the Cricket Ground. Australia was a strong team and dominated the match in the first 20 minutes but Ahmad-Reza (Abedzadeh) was our hero into the goal,” Ali Daei said.

“We concede two goals but pulled a goal back in the second half. It kept alive our hopes of qualifying for the World Cup. I assisted Khodadad (Azizi) for second goal and he scored Iran’s second goal. I’ll never forget that match,” the veteran footballer added.
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