Togo finish last in Iran tournament

Togo finished last behind hosts Iran in the four-nation tournament

In what could be termed an inauspicious start to their World Cup campaign, Togo finished bottom place in a four-nation tournament in Tehran on Sunday.

This is the Hawk's first international game against non-African opposition since qualifying for their first ever World Cup appearance two months ago.

Iran scored two penalties against the west Africans to claim third place in the tournament.

Paraguay won the tournament, beating Macedonia 1-0.

Veteran skipper Ali Daei, the world's leading international scorer with more than 100 goals to his name, scored a farcical penalty at the third attempt to give Iran the lead in the 11th minute.

His first two spot-kicks, the first of which was parried by Togo keeper Tchagnirou Ouronimini, were disallowed after players strayed into the box during the run-up.

Iran had the better of the remainder of the first half, unleashing a stream of fluid attacks, but Togo intercepted some loose midfield passing to launch a couple of surging counter-offensives led by Sheriff Toure.

Iran's second goal, also from the penalty spot, was comfortably taken in the 58th minute by Vahid Hashemian.

The Hawks were one of three World Cup finalists using the matches as preparation for next year's competition in Germany.

Both the hosts and South Americans Paraguay will also be at Germany 2006 although the fourth team, Macedonia, will not participate in the elite finals.