Aghili Penalty Saves Iran’s Blushes

Only 1000 fans turned up to watch Iran’s friendly match in the Azadi Stadium, and they didn’t have to wait long for the first goal of the match. Masoud Moradi awarded Iran a penalty kick in the 12^th minute, and Javad Nekounam, who was the captain of Iran, converted the spot kick.

Gholamreza Rezaei made it 2-0 for Iran just after the half hour mark, and the two teams went in to the break with Iran winning comfortably.

Reza Enayati, who was back in the team after a long absence, wasted several chances early in the second half, and Zambia took full advantage, and hit Iran with two goals in 3 minutes around the hour mark.

The game was heading to a 2-2 draw but Iran was awarded a penalty kick when Hossein Kaebi was pulled down in the penalty area in the 88th minute. Hadi Aghili stepped up, and scored with ease to give Iran their first win in over 9 months.

After being substituted, Enayati came under heavy criticism by the fans in the Stadium, and has since announced that if his presence in the team is having a negative effect, he will retire from international football immediately.

Iran’s next game is a World Cup qualifier against UAE on June 2^nd in the Azadi Stadium.

Match Summary:
Goals: Nekounam (13), Rezaei (35), Zambia (59, 62), Aghili (88)

IRAN- Rahmati; Kaebi, Aghili, Hosseini, Zare; Teymourian (Sadeghi, 45), Nekounam (Jabbari, 70), Zandi (Khalatbari, 46), Rezaei (Shapourzadeh, 61), Hajsafi (Vahedi, 68), Enayati (Khalili, 57)