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FIFAWORLDCUP - 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.
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