The Hindu : Sport / Football : Iran XI overcomes Army XI

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Apr 15, 2007
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Iran XI overcomes Army XI

M.R. Praveen Chandran

KANNUR: Army XI lost to Iran XI 1-2 in the opening Group `B' match of the E.K. Nayanar Memorial Gold Cup international football tournament at the Municipal Jawahar stadium here on Saturday.

Iran, with nine internationals, was expected to rout the Army men who finished a disappointing sixth in the Second Division NFL. But instead, it was the Army XI which led by a goal till the 80th minute before a brace from Majid Nowrouzi ended its hopes.

After a goalless first half, the diminutive Ngernilal put Army XI ahead in the 46th minute with a brilliant side-footed volley from 30 yards. The Iranians woke from their slumber and put up a display that was worthy of their reputation. The Army defence cracked under the collective brilliance of the Iranians. Behad Mofarrah beat the goalkeeper with a right-footed chip and Majid Nowrouzi headed it home in the 80th minute.

Nowrouzi bulged the net again in the 88th minute when he gave finishing touches to a fine cross from Behad Moffarah who had beaten the Army off-side trap.

The goal sparked off protest by the Army men who claimed that Nowrouzi was off-side when he scored the goal.

The Iranians played the first half as though they hadn't recovered from the jet lag. There was no urgency and the side struggled to find its combination. A drizzle midway through the first half didn't help Iranians' cause either. Army men seized the opportunity and looked dangerous especially on counter-attacks. The best chance the Army men got in the first half came in the 15th minute. An unmarked Norgan Lama did well to rise above the taller Iranian defenders to connect a corner but his effort went just wide off the target even as the goalkeeper was out of position.

The Iranian goal fell soon after the resumption. Ngernilal connected the high ball with a side-footed first time volley and the ball sailed over the goalkeeper who had strayed away from his line. After that goal, the Army men played with more confidence and took the fight to the enemy camp.

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