Tag: Omid Noor-Afkan

Iran defeats Costa Rica in FIFA U-20 World Cup

 

  • Iran pick up their first win at the FIFA U-20 World Cup since the inaugural edition in 1977
  • A tight encounter of few chances decided by solitary goal
  • A low left-footed strike from Iran’s No9 undid Costa Rica

Mohammad Mehdi Mehdikhani secured an opening win for Iran as his late goal saw off Costa Rica 1-0 in FIFA U-20 World Cup Korea Republic 2017 Group C.

Despite Iran’s fairly well-established FIFA World Cup™ pedigree, having appeared at three in the last 20 years, this was only their third ever outing at U-20 level – and the first of those came in the inaugural tournament. Because of that, you could forgive them for being a tad ring-rusty. In truth though, Costa Rica were not much sharper.

Both struggled to fashion opportunities in a tepid first half. Iran began the brighter of the pair, looking to utilise a distinct height advantage. As time wore on, Costa Rica’s stronger possession game saw them begin to dictate the pace of the match, though a sloppy final ball undermined their chance of fashioning any clear openings.

The pattern continued until the latter stages where Iran first came close from an audacious Omid Norafkan corner, clipping the top of the bar, before the deadlock was broken with nine minutes to go. Unmarked at the far post, Mehdikhani chested down and fired low into the bottom left corner to snatch three points from what looked like a certain stalemate.

It took Iran 40 years to register its only 2nd win in the FIFA Youth World Cup, now known as the FIFA U-21 World Cup. 

Despite a few good moves , Costa Rica did not manage a single shot on goal in the match, while the Iranians did shoot on target  although none were effective except for the Mehdikhani goal late in the game.

After Iran scored,  the habitual problem of Iranian football was evident in their game.  Iranian teams from club level all the way to Team Melli , have problems controlling the games when ahead , or as it is commonly know, putting the game to bed. Despite the solid and strong defense by the Iran U-21 team which the skillful Costa Rica’ forwards failed to penetrate during the whole match, their last few minutes were erratic, confusing and quite weak. Both the defenders and midfield players lost the ball in tackles, passed the wrong ball and in general were in disarray with only minutes left of the match.

Thankfully the opponents shooting was not up to scratch and their finishing , a lot to be desired, In reality, Iran should have closed the game in a much better style.

Iran U-21 next match is against Zambia who beat former champions Portugal 2-1 in the earlier game in the same group.

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Group matches – Group C
Iran     IRAN      –    COSTA RICA       Costa Rica
FULL-TIME
1    –      0
 
 Iran

1 N.MIRZAZAD (GK)      2 A.SHAHSAVARI ;  3 M.DERAKHSHANMEHR ; 5 N.TAHERI ; 6 M.SOLTANI (65′ N. MOKHTARI); 8 A.SHOJAEI (79′ A. RAZZAGHPOUR) ; 9 M.MEHDIKHANI ; 10 R.SHEKARI ; 11 R.JAFARI  (90′ S, KHADEMPOUR); 16 O. NORAFKAN (C) ; 20 A.AGHASI

Costa Rica
13 PINEDA. E (GK) ; 2 MESEN. D ; 4 SMITH. I ; 5 GONZALEZ .E; 6 HERNANDEZ. L (C) ; 8 MARIN. J ; 10 MARTINEZ. J ; 11 LEAL. R ; 19 SALINAS. Y; 20 JUAREZ. E ; 21 TORRES. G

Javanan (Iran U19) qualify with a perfect record

Mashad: Iran scored either side of half-time to defeat Kuwait 2-0 in Tuesday’s top-of-the-table clash and take their place at the AFC U-19 Championship as Group E winners, with the Gulf side finishing second in the standings above Jordan, who ended their qualifying campaign in third following a 3-0 defeat of Nepal in the earlier game.

Imperious Iran had stormed into pole position ahead of the final round of matches having defeated Nepal (10-0) and Jordan (3-0), while Kuwait had kept themselves in contention for a guaranteed place in next year’s finals in Bahrain by going into the decisive fixture with four points from a possible six following a defeat of Jordan (2-1) and a surprise 1-1 draw with the Nepalese.

Kuwait looked to have kept Iran at bay in the first half until skipper Reza Chaab put the home side 1-0 up four minutes into stoppage-time with his fifth of the qualifiers before a 62nd minute Omid Noor-Afkan effort sealed Iran’s place at the AFC U-19 Championship with a perfect record after a campaign that saw them score 15 times and concede none over their three matches at the Samen Al Aemeh Stadium.

Iran will join the nine other group winners and five best second-placed teams (which will be confirmed in due course) at the AFC U-19 Championship, with hosts Bahrain receiving automatic entry to next year’s 16-team tournament.