05/28/2006
AP

OSIJEK, Croatia – Marko Babic converted a penalty in injury time Sunday to help Croatia draw 2-2 with Iran in a World Cup warmup match.

Ali Karimi put Iran ahead in the 22nd minute after he connected with a fast ball near the penalty spot from the near side. Dado Prso equalized nine minutes later after Niko Kranjcar flicked a cross into his path.

Substitute Arash Borhani appeared to have given Iran a late winner after he pounced on a defensive error in the 82nd minute, but Babic converted from the spot in injury time after Ivica Olic was brought down in the box by goalkeeper Ebrahim Mirzapour.

Both Croatia and Iran qualified for the World Cup in Germany. Croatia will face Brazil, Australia and Japan in Group F, while Iran takes on Portugal, Mexico and Angola in Group D.

"It's not a bad test. We dominated and could have scored many more goals," Croatia coach Zlatko Kranjcar said, adding that some of his players were tired from exhausting fitness drills during the week.

Backed by a boisterous crowd, Croatia started frantically, but it was Iran that produced the most dangerous early threats through Karimi and Vahid Hashemian, who were both coming back from injuries.

Heavy rain made play difficult in the first half, resulting in several tough tackles.

Dario Srna and Babic controlled the flanks with ideal balls into the centre after strong runs, but Croatia's strikers were unable to convert with their final touches.

Ivica Klasnic had a golden opportunity to put Croatia into the lead, but his glancing header went lamely across the goal.

Javad Nekounam could have given Iran the lead midway through the second half with a lob at an empty goal from about 25 yards after goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa came off his line to clear a loose ball.

Croatia beat Austria 4-1 in a warmup match on Tuesday. The team kicks off its World Cup campaign against five-time champion Brazil on June 13 at Berlin's Olympic Stadium.

Iran is scheduled to play a friendly with Bosnia-Herzegovina and a German club before departing for Germany.

Iran coach Branko Ivankovic, a Croatian native, was Croatia's assistant coach when it reached the semifinals in 1998.

"We were close to winning even though there are still some things we need to work on," Ivankovic said. "I am satisfied with the way my players performed in this tough game against a tough rival."