Soccer

Iran rescue draw against Angola

Forward Karim Ansarifard scored 57th-minute equaliser to avoid defeat

Iran’s Ehsan Hajsafi (left) challenges Angola’s Lunguinha during a friendly in Hartberg, Austria. Photograph: Heinz-Peter Bader / Reuters
Iran’s Ehsan Hajsafi (left) challenges Angola’s Lunguinha during a friendly in Hartberg, Austria. Photograph: Heinz-Peter Bader / Reuters
Fri May 30 2014 - 16:16

World Cup finalists Iran were held to 1-1 draw by Angola in their penultimate warm-up match in Hartberg, Austria on Friday.

Iran forward Karim Ansarifard scored a 57th-minute equaliser to prevent his side suffering a demoralising defeat before they head out to Brazil.

Iran, who will play in their fourth World Cup and face Argentina, Nigeria and Bosnia in Group F, fell behind three minutes before halftime when Domingos Silvano Cussanda netted for Angola.

The two sides had faced each other in the group stages of the 2006 World Cup in Germany in a fiercely contested match which also ended 1-1.

READ SOME MORE

Iran face Trinidad and Tobago in a behind-closed-doors friendly in Sao Paulo, Brazil on June 8th in their final outing before they kick off their tournament against Nigeria on June 16th.