Bayern wins friendly against Persepolis
Persepolis warmed up some 70,000 die-hard fans shuddering in Azadi Stadium and veteran Germany keeper Oliver Kahn with two kicks in the first two minutes.
In-form striker Javad Kazemian forced skipper Kahn to palm away his curling free-kick and his teammate Mehrdad Owladi failed to beat the sturdy goalie in a man-to-man challenge.
The game stopped in the seventh minute as Iran’s legendary keeper Ahmadreza Abedzadeh came off the pitch to a standing ovation and officially hung up his boots. Kahn rushed to the ever-smiling Abedzadeh and hugged him as a gesture of farewell.
The red-shirted Persepolis celebrated the opener on 26 minutes following a superb solo effort from live-wire Kazemian. The striker easily cleared Brazil fullback Lucio on the edge of area before he was brought down by French defender Valerien Ismael, who left the Asian Referee of the Year Massoud Moradi with no option but show the spot.
Persepolis cool fullback Ali Ansarian sent Kahn the wrong way and the faithful into ecstasy with his trademark penalty kick.
The reds’ lead, however, took nine minutes as striker Michael Ballack headed home a Brazilian midfielder Ze Roberto cross.
Bosnian midfielder Hasan Salihamidzic was to blame in the 41st minute for sending a Peruvian Paolo Guerrero pass wide above the unguarded net.
One minute from halftime, the advancing defender Ansarian chested down the ball before rattling the visitor’s crossbar with a ferocious drive, but the rebound helped the German side grab the winner in a swift counterattack. Defender Philipp Lahm’s cross found Guerrero, whose powerful kick from close range kissed the top corner of the helpless keeper Farshid Karimi’s net.
Bayern could widen the gap on 45 minutes when Ze Roberto receiving a world-class pass from former Persepolis player Ali Karimi failed to overcome Karimi Jr. from close range.
Bayern manager Felix Magath completely changed the lineup after the restart, but the second string missed three scoring chances.
Sebastian Deisler playing on the right flank lost his balance before his face-off with Farshid Karimi on 51 minutes.
Mehmet Scholl, who captained Bayern after the break, could find the net twice. The midfielder lying in the goalmouth hit a Roy Makaay shot against Karimi’s chest in the 52nd minute and saw his inswinging set-piece bounce back by the near post 10 minutes later.
Persepolis came close to equalizer in stoppage time when substitute Ali Alizadeh failed to touch a through ball from benchwarmer Sohrab Entezari.
Magath talking to Iran’s state TV voiced his pleasure over the friendly.
Asked about Ali Karimi’s contract, the popular trainer assured that Bayern would re-sign Iran striker.