Iran opened their 2007 AFC Asian Cup campaign with a 2-1 Group C victory over Uzbekistan after being late by a goal down in the first half. Iran defender Abdul-Rahman Rezaei hit his own net in the 16th minute with a perfect header that lobbed his own keeper. However, defender Jalal Hosseini connected with Mehdi Mahdavikia's corner in the 55th minute to level the score, before Javad Kazemian netted the winner for Iran 12 minutes from time. Iran are second in the group on three points, leveling with leaders China, but the latter have a better goal difference after thrashing Malaysia 5-1 on Tuesday. In Group D, Yasser Al-Qahtani's penalty 13 minutes from time helped Saudi Arabia salvage a 1-1 draw with South Korea. Choi Sung-kuk opened the score line six minutes past the hour mark when he capitalized on a poor marking to head home a pinpoint cross from the right. Saudi Arabia were awarded a penalty in the 77th minute when Malek Moez was obstructed by Oh Beom-seok inside the area. Al-Qahtani stepped-up and sent the keeper the wrong way to score the equalizer. Four minutes from the end, a power failure forced the referee to stop the match for almost 25 minutes. After the match was resumed, Saad Al Harthi could have snatched the win for the Saudis in stoppage time when he was released clear on goal by a through pass but his poor shot missed the target.
