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 Angola grab first World Cup goal
LEIPZIG, Germany -- Amado Flavio's 60th minute header gave Angola their first goal at a World Cup finals, but Sohrab Bakhtiarizadeh nodded in a 75th minute equalizer for Iran in Leipzig, to ensure that Mexico joined Portugal in the next round. The Mexicans went down 2-1 to Portugal and a three-goal victory would have sent Angola through at the South Americans' expense. But although Flavio raised the Africans' hopes they never really threatened a substantial victory. But a side whose two best players - goalkeeper Joao Ricardo and striker Akwa - cannot even find a club, could look back with pride on a record of a narrow defeat to Portugal, a heroic draw with Mexico and this battling display. The historic goal came when Flavio met an inch-perfect cross from Ze Kalanga and gave Iranian goalkeeper Ebrahim Mirzapour little chance. And it could easily have been followed by another two minutes later when Mendonca had a golden opportunity, but he shot wide when the ball fell to him on the edge of the penalty area. Iran, fighting to avoid a third consecutive defeat, struck back when Bakhtiarizadeh outjumped the Angolan defense from a corner to equalize with a well-placed header after 75 minutes. Iran's veteran striker Ali Daei should have added to his world record tally of 109 international goals but his first-half header from close range was woefully misdirected even though he was completely unmarked. Angola's hopes suffered an early setback when Mateus, who had ballooned the ball over the bar after eight minutes, had to be carried off the pitch after apparently injuring his arm as he slipped and became entangled with an Iranian defender. Bruising tackleTwo minutes later Loco had to leave the field after a bruising tackle, but the defender returned. Angola's biggest loss came when captain Akwa had to be substituted just minutes into the second half after a knock. Just as he had done against Mexico, Joao Ricardo kept his side in the game, leaping to save low shots from Andranik Teymourian and Rasoul Khatibi. Iran had the best chances of the first half but were let down by poor finishing in a stadium where, for once in this well-attended World Cup, there were empty seats. Angola had lived dangerously in the first period when Vahid Hashemian's header from a corner was cleared off the goalline by Mendonca's hip and Joao Ricardo also punched away a well-directed Daei free kick after 20 minutes. 
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