{"id":29724,"date":"2017-11-10T13:59:20","date_gmt":"2017-11-10T21:59:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.persianfootball.com\/news\/?p=29724"},"modified":"2017-11-10T13:59:20","modified_gmt":"2017-11-10T21:59:20","slug":"flashback-iran-vs-australia-1998-fifa-world-cup-intercontinental-play-off-video","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.persianfootball.com\/news\/2017\/11\/10\/flashback-iran-vs-australia-1998-fifa-world-cup-intercontinental-play-off-video\/","title":{"rendered":"Flashback: Iran vs. Australia – 1998 FIFA World Cup Intercontinental Play-off [VIDEO]"},"content":{"rendered":"

AFC – KUALA LUMPUR, Australia will kick off their FIFA World Cup 2018 Russia Intercontinental Play-off against Honduras later on Friday with the aim of confirming a fourth successive appearance at the Finals. <\/strong><\/p>\n

The Socceroos know that luck hasn\u2019t always been on their side when it comes to navigating through intercontinental doubleheaders.<\/p>\n

In fact, the penalty shootout triumph over Uruguay in 2005 remains their only success in five attempts. <\/p>\n

Fans will particularly remember the infamous play-off with the Islamic Republic of Iran in 1997, which saw Australia get knocked out on away goals after two intense clashes in Tehran and Melbourne. <\/p>\n

Twenty years on, with the Green and Gold set to once again take to the field in a tough away setting in San Pedro Sula, the-AFC.com takes a look back at the first leg of the famous 1997 tie – when Team Melli hosted the Socceroos at the Azadi Stadium.<\/p>\n

While the 1997 play-off is remembered more for the nail-biting finish in the second leg in Melbourne, the first leg was a special match in its own right.<\/p>\n

Iran and Australia both went into the game riding on a wave of motivation, having missed out on the FIFA World Cup since their first and only appearances in 1978 and 1974 respectively. <\/p>\n

Iranian fans poured into the Azadi Stadium on the evening of 22 November 1997, making for an extraordinary spectacle as the two teams went head to head in front of a reported 128,000 roaring spectators.<\/p>\n

After a cautious start to the game, it was Australia who took the lead. In the 19th minute, youngster Harry Kewell controlled a lobbed pass before finishing calmly past Iran keeper Ahmad Reza Abedzadeh to silence the partisan Azadi crowd. <\/p>\n

The 19-year-old Leeds United forward’s first international strike could not have come at a better moment for the Socceroos and gave them a crucial away goal. <\/p>\n

However, just as Australia were looking to end the first half with the advantage, Iran came back to deal them a blow. <\/p>\n

After Naeim Saadavi’s effort was ruled out for offside in the 37th minute, Khodadad Azizi ensured the teams would go into halftime level moments later.<\/p>\n

Mohammad Khakpour took the Australians by suprise with his chipped pass to Mehdi Mahdavikia, who broke the offside trap before squaring the ball across to the unmarked Azizi.<\/p>\n

The reigning AFC Player of the Year made no mistake from close range and made it 1-1.<\/p>\n

The second half was a cagey affair and neither team could find the breakthrough they needed.<\/p>\n

Ali Daei had a great opportunity with a header early on but the impressive Mark Bosnich was on hand to deny him.<\/p>\n

Iran went on to pile on the pressure but the Socceroos stood firm as the game went on to end with the stalemate. <\/p>\n

For most observers, it was an impressive result for Australia to come away with a 1-1 draw against a dominant Iranian side.<\/p>\n

Kewell’s strike had set the stage for the Australians to go through to the World Cup with a clean sheet in Melbourne in a week’s time.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately for a generation of Australian fans, they would be scarred by the second leg, which saw the Socceroos take a 2-0 lead before Iran equalised with two late goals in the space of four minutes.<\/p>\n

It was Azizi again who would come to haunt them with an 80th-minute strike that saw Team Melli book their spot at the World Cup with a win on away goals. <\/p>\n

First Leg (1:1)<\/strong>
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