July 16 - China drew with Iran 2-2 in a hard-fought match at the 2007 AFC Asian Cup in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.China got an early lead only six minutes into the game when Shao Jiayi sent the ball home with a brilliant freekick.Left winger Mao Jianqing doubled the lead in the 33rd minutes when the young talent blasted the ball home in the box.Iran launched counter attacks and was rewarded at the end of the first half. Midfielder Ferydoon Zandi scored with a pinpointed freekick in the 45th minute.From the start of the second half, Iran gradually controlled the match. Javad Nekounam equalized for Iran in the 74th minute with a header.Both sides failed to score again thereafter.China will face Uzbekistan while Iran is to play co-host Malaysia in the last round group matches.China need only a tie with Uzbekistan to qualify the group.