Syria claimed a valuable away point following a goalless draw with Iran in their opening match of Group Five in the third round of the 2010 World Cup qualifiers on Wednesday.
The Syrians had the better chances to win against the three-time World Cup qualifiers, who struggled to find a way into the match.
It only took the Syrians a minute to create the first opportunity of the game after good work by Jehad Al Hussein on the left flank before Feras Ismael sent his long-range attempt wide.
Four minutes later Ziad Chaabo's close range effort was just wide of the left post as the Syrians continued to dominate.
Iran had to wait until the 15th minute before their first sight of the Syrian goal when Mehdi Rajabzadeh unleashed a powerful shot from outside the area, but goalkeeper Mosab Balhous made a comfortable save.
Seven minutes later Alireza Vahedi Nikbakht received a long pass from the back which unlocked the Syrian defence, but he blasted his shot from inside the area over the crossbar.
The Syrian reply came just seconds later when Firas Al Khatib bore down on Iran goalkeeper Mehdi Rahmati, firing off a powerful left-foot strike from outside the area, but his shot missed the target.
Syria continued to hold the upper hand in the remaining minutes of the first half and they should have opened the scoring when Ismael's shot was punched away by Rahmati, who also saved a first-time volley from Firas Al Khatib two minutes later.
The visitors' dominance diminished in the second half despite going close again two minutes shy of the hour mark when Jehad Al Hussain sent his shot over the crossbar.
Syrian goalkeeper Mosab Balhous pushed Mehdi Rajabzadeh's shot wide for a corner as Iran started to find a foothold in the game.
As a result, they almost claimed a late winner when a free-kick from second-half substitute Iman Mobali slammed on to the woodwork a minute before the end, while Javad Kazimian's free-kick flew over in the third minute of added time.
It only took the Syrians a minute to create the first opportunity of the game after good work by Jehad Al Hussein on the left flank before Feras Ismael sent his long-range attempt wide.
Four minutes later Ziad Chaabo's close range effort was just wide of the left post as the Syrians continued to dominate.
Iran had to wait until the 15th minute before their first sight of the Syrian goal when Mehdi Rajabzadeh unleashed a powerful shot from outside the area, but goalkeeper Mosab Balhous made a comfortable save.
Seven minutes later Alireza Vahedi Nikbakht received a long pass from the back which unlocked the Syrian defence, but he blasted his shot from inside the area over the crossbar.
The Syrian reply came just seconds later when Firas Al Khatib bore down on Iran goalkeeper Mehdi Rahmati, firing off a powerful left-foot strike from outside the area, but his shot missed the target.
Syria continued to hold the upper hand in the remaining minutes of the first half and they should have opened the scoring when Ismael's shot was punched away by Rahmati, who also saved a first-time volley from Firas Al Khatib two minutes later.
The visitors' dominance diminished in the second half despite going close again two minutes shy of the hour mark when Jehad Al Hussain sent his shot over the crossbar.
Syrian goalkeeper Mosab Balhous pushed Mehdi Rajabzadeh's shot wide for a corner as Iran started to find a foothold in the game.
As a result, they almost claimed a late winner when a free-kick from second-half substitute Iman Mobali slammed on to the woodwork a minute before the end, while Javad Kazimian's free-kick flew over in the third minute of added time.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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