Iran is equal to Vietnam in U20 Asia
The match on the Istiqlol field was tense, with tit-for-tat phases between the two teams. The result was only decided by a turning point in the 63rd minute, when Iran was awarded a penalty after Mohammed Mansour's foul on Farhad Zavoshi in the penalty area. On the 11-meter mark, Mohammad Hazbavi fooled goalkeeper Amir Hassan Katoul to bring back three points for teachers and students Samad Marfavi.
This victory is a smooth start for Iran - a team that won the Asian U20 Championship four times in 1973, 1974, 1975 and 1976. Meanwhile, Qatar football continues to taste bitter fruit. Late last year, the country's national team became the first home team in history to be eliminated from the group stage of the World Cup without winning a single point.
Qatar started optimistic when Ahmed Al Rawi made Iran goalkeeper Adib Zarei save in the first minutes. Eight minutes later, the striker's long-range effort was denied again by Zarei.
Iran responded by speeding, passing Mohammadreza Torabi, forcing Qatar goalkeeper Katoul to block. Milad Kor shoots out in a lucky situation. After that, it was Erfan Ghorbani and Saeid Saharkhizan's turn to constantly hold their heads in regret, when Katoul proved his talent with two brilliant saving reflexes.
The more they kicked, the more Iran dominated in the middle of the field, making Qatar unable to get on the ball and began to show signs of psychological distress. Taking advantage of that, Iran increased the pressure, but the opportunity in turn was missed by them. Farhad Zavoshi could not take advantage of a cross from Saeid Saharkhizan. At the end of the first half, it was Saeid Saharkhizan and Amirreza Eslamtalab's turn to squander close shots.
A 15-minute break more or less helped Qatar to regain its spirit, to rise strongly at the beginning of the second half. Younis Mohammed makes Iranian fans a heartbeat. But at the right time when the opponent prospered, Iran scored again. They could have widened the lead if Zavoshi had made better use of Mersad Seifi's dribble and smooth cross from the left.
At the end of the match, Qatar rushed to find an equalizer. Al Rawi shot over the bar and he himself missed another chance at close range in the last minutes, blowing away the home team's hopes of earning points.
Iran will be close to the ticket to the quarterfinals if it wins against Australia in the second match on January 4. On the same day, Qatar was forced to win points against Vietnam if it wanted to keep hope of going on.
