Iran Crowned AFC U-20 Futsal Champion
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran defeated Iraq 2-0 in the inaugural AFC U-20 Futsal Championship final on Friday.
It was Iran’s seventh win in a row in the tournament which was held at the Bangkok Arena, Bangkok.
Sahand Rezapour opened the scoring for Iran in the fourth minute.
Disaster was to strike for Iraq shortly after, Zaid Ali’s seemingly innocuous tackle somehow finding its way into his own goal to hand the Iranians a two-goal advantage midway through the first half.
Iran defended resolutely and maintained its lead going into the break.
With time running out, Iraq head coach Ali Talib’s side switched to a power play, a bold move that came close to reaping dividends and providing a glimmer of hope when Hasan Kadhim’s last minute shot fizzed narrowly wide.
However, it was not to be as an impressive Iran resolutely held on to seal the title and emphatically underline the country’s futsal prowess.
On Thursday Thailand defeated Uzbekistan 8-1 to win the third place match.
Iran and Iraq qualified for the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires.
