Mahdavikia: We Never Lost Hopes against Australia
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Former Iran winger Mehdi Mahdavikia said in 1997 match they believed their side could arrest the deficit to the Australia and secure a World Cup spot.
On November 29, 1997, the Iranian football team fought back from two goals down to draw Australia 2-2 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in front of 85,000 people.
Two teams drew 1-1 in Tehran’s Azadi Stadium one week earlier and the Iranian team booked a place in the 1998 World Cup on goal difference.
“It appeared Australia had qualified but a spectator ran onto the field and broke the net. Afterward, we put the Australian team under pressure.
“We never lost our hopes in that match and fought until the last moment and drew 2-2 with the Australian team,” Mahdavikia added.