Dream comeback for Bagheri

Goalkeeper Mehdi Rahmati and midfielder Karim Bagheri were the heroes on Wednesday when Team Melli managed to salvage a point in Abu Dhabi.

Rahmati, who was picked as the man of the match was certainly a heroic figure. He made one excellent save after another, two of them on one-on-one situations, to keep Team Melli in the game.

For Karim Bagheri, Team Melli’s other hero, this was the first international match in almost six years. The 35-year-old midfielder had not kicked a ball for Team Melli since Iran’s failure to qualify for Japan/Korea 2002. He had a very good game and scored the tying goal in the second half to help Team Melli avoid disaster.

“Considering that this was my first International appearance in many years, I was really motivated to have an effective performance”, Said Bagheri. “I am happy that I could score in the final few minutes of the game and help us return home with a point.”

“The UAEs had very good showing and were able to skillfully control our creative midfielders” added the skipper. “They did well to protect their goal, but our team’s experience and effort prevented them from succeeding.”

Other players were full of praise for their captain. Midfielder Javad Nekounam told reporters, “They played an attacking game were rewarded for it, but thanks to Karim’s experience and alertness we were able to tie the game.”