F.A - MANAMA, Iran coach Branko Ivankovic expressed his satisfaction with the away point after his side played out a goalless draw with Bahrain in their opening Group B match in the Final Round of Asian Qualifiers for the 2006 World Cup.

“It was the first game in the qualifiers and it was a very tough game,� said the Croat.

“We tried to score but we just couldn't do it. The defence of both teams was good and it was an interesting game. It was at times frenetic but the quality of the match shows that both teams are in good form.�

Ivankovic’s countryman Srecko Juricic, who led Bahrain to the semi-finals of the 2004 Asian Cup last August, was also pleased with the point.

Speaking to the media after the match that they dominated in spells, the 50-year-old said: “The result was good for us because it was the first match and it's a good result to start with

“Everybody remembers the previous match between both sides in the Asian Cup in China and the emotions were very high in today’s game.

“We created more scoring opportunities, most of which were in the second half. On the opposite side, Iran couldn’t create many clear chances and I think we were the better side.�

Bahrain enter the unknown when they travel to DPR Korea while Iran play host to Asian champions Japan in their next Group A match. Both games take place on March 25.