Late Nekounam goal rescues Iran

AFC - A late header from Javad Nekounam helped Iran salvage a 1-1 draw with Saudi Arabia in their opening Group Two match of the final round of 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifying at King Fahad International Stadium on Saturday.

Saudi Arabia had taken the lead thanks to a 29th-minute strike from Saad Al Harthi but Nekounam's equaliser nine minutes from the end denied the hosts the chance of getting their campaign under way with a victory.

Saudi Arabia were the better side in the early stages and their first sight of goal came after 16 minutes when Mohammed Al Shalhoub saw a powerful shot fly wide.

Iran had their first opportunity four minutes later from a free-kick but Nekounam’s effort was pushed away by Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Mansour Al Najei.

The hosts then saw appeals for a penalty waved away when Faisal Al Sultan claimed to have been fouled inside the area by Mageed Gholamnejhad but Australian referee Mark Shield ordered play to continue.

Al Sultan had a chance to open the scoring four minutes later when he drove into the area and had only Seyed Mehdi Rahmati to beat but his shot was saved by the Iranian goalkeeper.

However, Saudi Arabia eventually broke the deadlock after 29 minutes when Abdullah Shuhail cut into the box from the left before feeding Al Harthi, who found the top left corner with a first-time shot past Rahmati.

Iran looked to hit back at the start of the second-half and Masoud Shojaei almost worked an opening for himself when he beat three defenders but lost control of the ball while Al Harthi headed over the bar at the other end.

Saudi Arabia came close to doubling their advantage on the hour mark but Mohammed Al Shalhoub saw a well-struck free kick pushed away by Rahmati.

Iran pressed forward in search of an equaliser with time running out and they were rewarded for their endeavours in the 81st minute when Shojaei headed a corner into the path of Nekounam and he nodded home from close range to seal a share of the spoils for Iran.