Angola and Iran draw

Angola missed its chance to advance to the second round of the World Cup on Wednesday, drawing 1-1 with Iran in Group D. Flavio gave the Angolans the lead in the 61st minute with a header, but Sohrab Bakhtiarizadeh equalized in the 73rd.

Angola needed to win big to have a chance of advancing ahead of Mexico, which lost to Portugal 2-1 in the other group match.

Flavio scored after a fast break and a cross from left winger Ze Kalanga, looping the ball over Iran goalkeeper Ebrahim Mirzapour.

Iran equalized from Bakhtiarizadeh's header.

The Iranians, who generated huge security headaches for the hosts due to protests against the government in Tehran, had already been eliminated after losing their first two matches.

After a scrappy beginning, Iran dominated much of the first half, mounting a series of ineffective attacks which tested Angola's solid defense.

Still, the Black Antelopes had the first real opportunity in the 12th minute with Mateus shooting over the crossbar from inside the penalty area.

Iran replied two minutes later when Angola goalkeeper Joao Ricardo smothered a low shot from Ferydoon Zandi. Ricardo stopped a free kick by Ali Daei in the 24th from the edge of the area. Daei's header off the rebound went over the bar.

Iran's best chance came in the 27th minute, when defender Mendonca stopped Zandi's header in the goalmouth.

Angola lost to Portugal 1-0 in its opening match, but a 0-0 draw with Mexico gave it a chance to advance if it beat Iran.

--- Lineups: Iran: Ebrahim Mirzapour, Sohrab Bakhtiarizadeh, Rahman Rezaei, Hossein Kaabi (Arash Borhani, 67th), Mohammad Nosrati (Masoud Shojaei, 13th), Ferydoon Zandi, Mehdi Mahdavikia, Andranik Teymourian, Mehrzad Madanchi, Ali Daei, Vahid Hashemian (Rasoul Khatibi, 39th).

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