PFDC - TEHRAN, Without their influential Bundesliga midfield trio, Iran showed an impressive comback after an early two-goal deficit against Bosnia & Herzegovina, to finally celebrate a 5-2 victory.

Branko Ivankovic had lined up Iran in a 4-4-2 with diamond shaped midfield, with Mehrzad Madanchi and Sohrab Bakhtiarizadeh replacing Fereydoon Zandi and Ali Karimi in comparison to the last test match in Croatia. Both midfielders had picked up smaller injuries in the last match. Again Andranik Teymourian overtook Mehdi Mahdavikia's right midfield position, the Hamburg winger still suffering from back problems which shouldn't keep him away from Iran's World Cup matches though. While Javad Nekounam overtook the offensive midfield spot in first half, Bakhtiarizadeh played in Nekounam's usual defensive midfield part.

Horrible start for the hosts

Bosnia, without Bayern winger Hassan Salihamidzic, almost took the lead in the second minute, but Ebrahim Mirzapour pulled off an amazing save against Bochum playmaker Zvejdan Misimovic's great freekick.

However, just seven minutes later the visitors broke the deadlock, following a terrible turnover by Mohammad Nosrati, when Hamburg striker Sergej Barbarez found the unmarked Misimovic inside the area who let Mirzapour no chance.

Things turned from bad to worse for Iran in minute 17, when Yahya Golmohammadi rather embarassingly failed to intercept a ball and Nosrati left Barbarez alone in center, who received a cross and doubled Bosnia's lead.

Strong comeback

But Iran gave the perfect reply just nine minutes later: a great pass from Vahid Hashemian found Madanchi at the edge of the box, the Persepolis winger being quicker than the advancing goalkeeper Mitrovic and scoring the open net to make it 1-2.

Mentionable also the great support from the 50.000 Iranian fans on the stands, who didn't lose their patience but kept on cheering for their team even after the horrible blunders that had lead to Bosnia's goals.

Iran kept on dominating the proceedings, though without showing a really convincing performance. Yet they grabbed the equalizer in minute 45, when a beautiful throughball by the once more disappointing Daei found defender Rahman Rezaei inside the area, who made no compromises and smashed the ball into the net.

The hosts were obviously boosted by this goal and added a third still in first half, when the unconvincing Bakhtiarizadeh's header became the perfect serving for Hashemian, who, brought Iran ahead from close range with a well placed chip into the far corner.

Better second half from Iran

Ivankovic reacted to the lacklustre play from his men, moving Nosrati to central defense, bringing on leftback Sattar Zare for Golmohammadi and Massoud Shojaei for Bakhtiarizadeh, while moving Nekounam back to defensive midfield, while the sizzling Shojaei overtook the offensive part.

The young Saipa man, who was unlucky when his direct corner four minutes into second half came off the crossbar, indeed showed a great performance, his excellent technique reminding of the young Ali Karimi.

Overall the Iranian team showed a much improved second half performance, combining well in offense and also the defense, now with Nosrati as centerhalf and Zare as leftback, looked much more stable.

However, the result remained close because the in second period convincing Teymourian, Daei, the lively Madanchi, substitute striker Rassoul Khatibi as well as the in second half much improved Nekounam were all either denied by the goalkeeper or narrowly missed target.

Bosnia's best chances, a shot from Barbarez and an Ibricic-header, were both denied by Hassan Roudbarian, who had come on for Mirzapour at half time.

Team Melli eventually added more goals late in the game. First substitute striker Reza Enayeti showed a fine solo and successful finishing in minute 90, before two minutes into injury time Khatibi added Iran's fifth from close range, following Teymourian's great long ball and Madanchi's cross from the left side.

Shojaei should have crowned his fine display by Iran's sixth in minute 93, however, couldn't keep his cool all alone in front of goal after another Madanchi delivery and hammered the ball over the bar from close range.

It was an overall successful final test for a depleted Iranian team, that showed great spirit and good football in offense.

Iran - Bosnia & Herzegovina 5-2 (3-2)

Friendly Match, Azadi Stadium

Attendance: 50.000

Goals:
0-1 Misimovic (5')
0-2 Barbarez (17')
1-2 Madanchi (26')
2-2 Rezaei (45')
3-2 Hashemian (45' 2)
4-2 Enayati (89')
5-2 Khatibi (90' 2)

Iran played with: Mirzapour (46' Roudbarian) - Kaebi (74' Sadeghi), Golmohammadi (46' Zare), Rezaei, Nosrati - Bakhtiarizadeh (46' Shojaei) - Teymourian, Madanchi - Nekounam - Hashemian (69' Khatibi), Daei (69' Enayati)