Iran quip breaks Aussie hearts

For frigid conflicting reasons, 29 Nov 1997 is a day etched in a memory of each Iranian and Australian football fan.

Australia, as winners of Oceania Zone qualification and Iran as a fourth-placed Asian side, were left to conflict it out for a final of a 32 teams going to France 1998.

One of a dual nations was only 90 mins divided from subordinate for their initial FIFA World Cupâ„¢ after a extensive absence. Australia’s solitary coming on a universe theatre had been in 1974, while Iran’s came 4 years after in Argentina.

The venue was a Melbourne Cricket Ground, stage of many a good sporting moment, though a home of Australian competition had never before seen such a staggering football clash.

The summary
29 Nov 1997, Melbourne Cricket Ground
Australia 2-2 Iran (Aggregate 3-3, Iran validate for France 1998)
Australia: Mark Bosnich, Craig Moore (Graham Arnold 78), Steve Horvat, Alex Tobin (c), Stan Lazaridis, Robbie Slater (Tony Vidmar 76), Ned Zelic, Aurelio Vidmar (Ernie Tapai 76), Craig Foster, Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka
Scorers: Kewell (32), A Vidmar (48)
Iran: Ahmad Reza Abedzadeh (c), Naim Saadavi (Ebrahmi Tahami 70 (Ali Akbar Ostad Asadi 84)), Mohammad Khakpour, Mohammad Ali Peyravani, Mehdi Pashazadeh, Hamid Estili, Karim Bagheri, Mehdi Mahdavikia, Reza Shahroudi (Ali Reza Mansourian 52), Khodadad Azizi, Ali Daei
Scorers: Bagheri (71), Azizi (75)

The stakes
After a drawn out debate and an even longer wait for FIFA World Cup qualification, it all came down to a leader on a night. An desirous opening from goalkeeper Mark Bosnich helped Australia reason Iran to a 1-1 pull only 7 days progressing in a Azadi Stadium in Tehran, in front of an estimated throng of 128,000.

With story beckoning, a record throng of 85,000 incited adult for a Australia home match, full of expectation. Coached by former England trainer Terry Venables, Australia were assured on a behind of a universe record 14-match winning streak.

Conversely, Iran had shown haphazard form on a road. Having unsuccessful to win their organisation and losing a play-off with Japan in neutral Malaysia for a third Asian spot, this was their final lean during qualification.

The story
Led by immature strikers Mark Viduka and Harry Kewell, a Socceroos spent a whole initial half laying encircle to a Iranian goal. With Stan Lazaridis and Robbie Slater creation inroads on a flanks, and Aurelio Vidmar pulling brazen from midfield, it seemed an Aussie avalanche was inevitable.

Captain Ahmad Reza Abedzadeh kept a measure turn with some desirous goalkeeping and a sip of luck. Notably, defender Mehdi Pashazadeh done a supernatural headed goalline clearway from a point-blank Kewell shot.

The breakthrough eventually came, with 17-year-old Kewell unconditional a round in during a distant post after latching onto a Vidmar cross. Half-time arrived though Bosnich being forced into a save, so when Vidmar doubled a advantage 3 mins after a interlude it seemed Australia’s prolonged story of drastic disaster was to be wiped away.

The movement was with Australia and a Iranians were clearly confused and prepared to capitulate, mostly giving a round divided on a comparatively singular arise that they had possession.

Following a pandemonium of a second goal, a witness managed to enter a margin and rip down partial of a net, ensuring a five-minute check in a match. The mangle authorised Iran to regroup and, suddenly, gifted players such as Ali Daei, Karim Bagheri and Khodadad Azizi were looking dangerous.

Two goals to a good and with only 19 mins remaining, Australia were forgetful of France when Azizi unexpected detonate into a chastisement area and set-up Bagheri for an easy finish.

Four mins after a inconceivable for a Socceroos happened as Azizi latched onto a carefree ball, out-sprinted a immobile counterclaim and kick an unprotected Bosnich for a equaliser.

The star
The name Khodadad Azizi became immortalised in Iranian football after scoring a idea that sent Iran to France 1998. He had also set-up a initial idea and scored a prior week for Iran in a initial leg. Then 26, Azizi was in a primary of his career carrying been named AFC Player of a year, that helped mortar him to a career with perfume in a German Bundesliga. He played during a FIFA World Cup France 1998, including Iran’s famous win over USA.

They said
“It is loyal of football, when it maybe isn’t of a lot of other sports; we can browbeat that approach though all can change.”
Australia captain Alex Tobin.

“I only sat there and prayed. I’m unequivocally contemptible for a Australians and we know how Australian kids who play football are suffering. Australia should have been a leader here.”
Iran manager Valdir Vieira.

What happened next
Iran went to France 1998 and after losing 1-0 to Yugoslavia in their opening match, they famously degraded USA 2-1 with goals from Hamid Estili and Mehdi Mahdavikia, before losing 2-0 to Germany to finish third in a group.

Australia somehow regrouped to finish runners-up during a FIFA Confederations Cup in Saudi Arabia only a month later. After knocking out Uruguay in a semi-final interjection to a golden idea from Kewell, Australia mislaid 6-0 to Brazil in a final.

The Socceroos again missed out on gift for World Cup in 2002, though finished their prolonged wait with a famous chastisement shoot-out win in a Germany 2006 play-off opposite Uruguay – a same group that had denied them 4 years earlier.

Article source: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2009/m=2/news=celebration-and-heartbreak-1029557.html