TEHRAN The star-studded team of Asia, Iran, was held by Bahrain at the Asian World Cup Group A qualifier at Azadi Stadium, Tehran, on Friday.

Supported by around 60,000 home passionate fans, Iran put great pressure on the visitor Bahrain during the match but embarrassment of the Iranian players and lack of teamwork in the penalty area deprived their side of a win and the nail-biting match ended in a goalless tie.

In the 20th minute, the playmaker Ali Karimi's low chip found the Hamburg right winger Mahdi Mahdavikia behind the box, whose 19-yard shot passed beside the far post.

Alireza Vahedi-Nikbakht playing on the left flank of Iran received a superb volley from defender Yahya Golmohammadi in the area but he couldn't make it and his shot went wide the woodwork of Bahrain.

Five minutes from the interval, Karimi fed by Captain Ali Daei from a free-kick fired a powerful shot that saved by Bahraini goalie in a dual effort.

Karimi dribbled past three players of Bahrain and sent a nice pass in the 41st minute to Afshin Peyrovani whose shot passed above the keeper's hands and crossbar.

Sidelined by a knee injury in three qualifiers, substitute Karim Baqeri was sent in at the second half and injected a new life to the Iranian squad.

Golmohammadi started a smooth move toward the goal of Bahrain by clearing five players and provided the Bundesliga-bound striker, Daei, a goal-scoring chance but the international forward curled the ball over the crossbar.

The spectators sprang out from their seats after Baqeri's goal-bound shot in the 60th minute bounced by the diving goalie's chest.

The Hertha Berlin import, Daei, headed the ball for advancing Vahedi-Nikbakht near the six-meter area but he lost the man-to-man challenge to the visitor's keeper whose extended hands blocked the ball.

It was not the day of Nikbakht whose penetration in the Iraqi defense and pass to Karimi paved the way for equalizer in Baghdad last Saturday.

Eight minutes from the time, Nikbakht unmarked near the far post, owned a ball and his header kissed the net but not inside. Substitute Mahdi Hashemi-Nassab taking over Mojahed Khaziravi in the 79th minute had a scoring opportunity at the goalline and could score the winner if Nikbakht passed him the ball.

Bahrain that had no plan but getting one valuable point from the leader of Asian Group A outside its home, killed the time throughout the clash by laying on the field numerously and pretending to be injured.

Iran is still the table-topper of Group A with 8 points, followed by Bahrain with 6 points, Saudi bagging 4 points, Iraq collecting 3 points and Thailand having 2 points.