BEIRUT -- Iranian coach Seyed Jalal Talebi faced a grilling from the press at the Asian Cup on Sunday after his side was held to a 1-1 draw by Thailand at Beirut Sports City Stadium.
The result, rescued thanks to a 74th-minute equalizer from German-based striker Ali Daei, means that qualification from Group B will now hinge on the midweek clash with bitter rivals Iraq, which joined Iran on four points after a 2-2 draw with host Lebanon.
Iran, champion in 1968, 1972 and 1976, played second fiddle to the organized Thais and got a wakeup call as early as the 13th minute, when Sakesan Pituratana swept in a loose ball after a shot from striking partner Sutee Suksomkit.