Iran: Mirzapour, Kaabi (Borhani 67), Rezaei, Bakhtiarizadeh, Nosrati (Shojaei 13), Mahdavikia, Zandi, Hashemian (Khatibi 39), Teymourian, Madanchi, Daei.

Angola: Ricardo, Jamba, Kali, Miloy, Loco, Figueiredo (Rui Marques 73), Mateus (Love 23), Mendonca, Ze Kalanga, Delgado, Akwa (Flavio 51)

Match Report: Angola still had the possibility to go through as an unlikely qualifier from this group, dependent on the result of the Portugal v Mexico game. Angola needed to win, to at least have a chance of doing this, so plenty of attacking from them was expected.

A cautious start from both teams indicated that not losing was the first objective of both teams today. An expected onslaught from Angola never came.

Iran's Zandi missed the first real chance of the game, shooting straight at Angola keeper Ricardo from a tight angle on 15 minutes.

Angola's cause was not helped by a bad injury to Mateus early on. He was stretchered off to be replaced by Love, and reshuffle took place. they looked out of sorts and could do little right when in possession, and Iran became the more likely scorers.

Veteran Ali Daei, whose scoring record seems to indicate an acomplished marksman, continued to prove that figures can be misleading. A glorious chance fell to him but his uncontested header from 7 yards out sailed into the crowd.

Another header, this time a much better one from Hashemian who towered at a corner, almost brought an Iranian goal. With the keeper beaten an alert Mendonca cleared his own line.

The first half ebbed and flowed into a stalemate - Iran controlling the possession but failing to create, and Angola very sporadic. They did force Mirzapour into one good save, but with the last kick of the game. Not very impressive stuff from Angola, but encouraging from Iran.

Half Time: Iran 0 Angola 0

Angola started the second half in better form. They obviously had become aware of the need for goals. Within 2 minutes they created their best chance so far, with Mendonca shooting wide. Mendonca also shot just wide minutes later, and you sensed the goal was not far away.

A good move on the hour brought the breakthrough as Figueiredo combined with Ze Kalanga who crossed to the waiting Flavio, unmarked in the box. An easy guided header sent the Angolan followers into rapture, and perhaps now gave them an outside chance of them now qualifying.

Angola searched for a second and almost got it ten minutes later from another pinpoint Ze Kalanga ball into the box. The header this time was Love, but his effort was not so well placed and Mirzapour saved comfortably.

Again Angola pressed for another goal, but their play began to break down within sight of goal. They were punished by an Iranian goal from a set piece, which would ultimately put them out of the tournament.

An Iranian corner headed in by Bakhtiarizadeh spoiled their day, but on balance was deserved. Bakhtiarizadeh was not put under enough pressure, but his header was perfectly placed to evade the keeper, low to his right.

The goal knocked the stuffing out of Angola, and Iran finished the game as they had started, in the ascendency.

Full Time: Iran 1 Angola 1

Iran Ratings: Mirzapour 6, Kaabi 5 (Borhani 6), Rezaei 5, Bakhtiarizadeh 6, Nosrati 5 (Shojaei 5), Mahdavikia 6, Zandi 6, Hashemian 5 (Khatibi 5), Teymourian 6, Madanchi 5, Daei 3.

Angola Ratings: Ricardo 6, Jamba 5, Kali 5, Miloy 5, Loco 5, Figueiredo 6 (Rui Marques 5), Mateus 5 (Love 5), Mendonca 7, Ze Kalanga 6, Delgado 6, Akwa 5 (Flavio 6)

Referee: M.Shield (Australia) 7. Sensible enough and not too many cards given out. One of the better performances, as the refereeing in the latter group games has gone a bit haywire.

Good: Not much good stuff to talk about here, maybe the two sides were a bit nervous on the day. Crowd was good though, especially the colourful Angolans.

Bad: Mr Daei's finishing. He's supposed to be a good un.

Ugly: Mateus's injury didn't look too pleasant.