Iran, an honor to Asian football: Velappan

Pusan, Oct 14, IRNA -- Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Secretary General Peter Velappan expressing his satisfaction with the championship of Iran's under-23 squad in the Asian Games said Iran is an honor to the Asian soccer.
In an exclusive interview with IRNA on Sunday, the AFC supremo added: "Iran has young talented players and can make greater successes and even advance to the World Cup finals."

The Iranian players are skilled in terms of technique, said  Velappan, adding that but their teamwork is not good. "At least these young footballers need 10 years of experience of playing in the international matches in order to shine in important  clashes," said the Asian ranking official, adding that "If the  Iranian Football Federation pays due attention to the youth, Iran will have the final say in the Asian continent."

He said the AFC observed age limitation in the Asian Games, aiming to urge the federations to use the youth as the backbone of their national teams.  The Asian Games had already included the contests for the juniors, youths, and seniors but lack of under-23 age group was palpable, added Velappan.

Japan and China fielded their under-21 players, showing they are  thinking of the future, said the Asian Football Confederation chief and added the Iranian side enjoyed a young and skilled lineup .  The AFC boss called Iran's championship as a great victory, congratulating the success to all Iranian people.

Iran Sunday won its fourth Asiad football title in the Asian Games in Pusan, South Korea after beating Japan 2-1.
Two goals from striker Javad Kazemian and Mohsen Bayatinia in the  second half saw Iran take the gold in the absence of several key players in the likes of Ali Daei who left the team because of his father's sudden death.
Kazemian benefitted from a foul-up by Japanese defense to drive  home a low volley from the edge of the box three minutes into the second half. Bayatinia added another three minutes from the finish after Japanese defenders made the same blunder. One minute later, Japan's Satoshi Nakayama pulled one back and Iranians had a strenuous time to fend off several other attacks.