Beijing, Feb 4, IRNA -- The Uruguayan National Football team defeated Tuesday its Iranian counterpart in the final of the Hong Kong New Year Cup 2002 four-sided Football tournament.

The Uruguayan team which displayed a rough game, defeated Iran in a penalty shoot out by a score of 5-3 after a 1-1 draw in the regular time.

The Iranian goals were scored by Ali Samereh at 28th minute and Yadollah Akbari and Iman Mo'bali from the penalty spot in extra time. Peralta was able to equalize at 84th minute for Uruguay.

Two players, including the goal scorer for Uruguayan and Iran's Mohsen Bayati-nia were shown the red card.

In the other game played earlier, Denmark beat the host country 2-1, grabbing the third place.

The Iranian Football Association, in an official letter to FIFA, thanked the Danish national football team for its fair play during Saturday's match at the tournament.

The letter was made in reference to Danish captain Morten Wieghorst's deliberate miss of an erroneous penalty kick, Danish news agency Ritzau reported Tuesday. Iran won Saturday's match, 1-0, on a penalty kick.

The management of the Hong Kong tournament said that a submission will be made on behalf of the Danish national team for FIFA's Fair Play Prize.

"They resolved a very difficult situation in a fine way. It could have become a huge case, if common sense had not prevail," said Derek Currie, a tournament director.

... Payvand News - 2/5/03 ... --