Source: CCTV.com

07-12-2007 09:27

Three-time champions Iran rallied from a goal down to beat Uzbekistan 2-1 in a crucial Group C encounter at the Asian Cup in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Wednesday.

Three-time champions Iran last won the Asian Cup in 1976. They were under pressure to gain a victory against the Uzbeks following China's thrashing of Malaysia on Tuesday.

That pressure increased in the 16th minute, when Uzbekistan took the lead. Defender Rahman Rezaei put too much power into his header back to the goalkeeper and the ball arched into the net for an own goal.(1-0)

But Iran then sprang into action in the second half and pulled level ten minutes after the restart.

Iran were back in the match and got the winning goal twelve minutes from full time. Substitute Kazemian drilled a low shot just inside the area to seal Iran's victory 2-1.