Uzbekistan hold Iran goalless

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Uzbekistan held Iran goalless in a friendly tune-up on Saturday as both the teams prepare for their next 2011 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers.

The hosts, who were playing their first match after losing to Bahrain in the FIFA World Cup qualifier in June, were reduced to 10 men when Odil Ahmedov was given his marching orders four minutes after the half hour mark.

Afshin Ghotbi’s team failed to gain advantage and also had a player sent off a minute after the hour mark.

Iran, who defeated Bosnia and lost to Bahrain in friendlies last month, face Jordan on 14 November in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers while the Central Asians play Malaysia twice in November.