Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Bangkok: Quickfire goals from Mohammad Shamsi and Reza Karimi just after the hour mark saw former champions Iran record a 2-1 comeback win over Saudi Arabia at Rajamangala Stadium on Tuesday to qualify for the quarter-finals of the AFC U-16 Championship after maintaining their 100% record in Group D.
Mashhour Abdullah had handed Saudi Arabia, who began their campaign with a goalless draw against Syria at the weekend, the lead just before the hour mark only for substitute Shamsi to equalise for Iran four minutes after the hour mark.
And with Karimi netting his second goal of the tournament just a minute later, 2012 semi-finalists Iran followed up Sunday's 3-2 win over Qatar to secure a place in the quarter-finals as Group D winners with a game to spare.
"Saudi Arabia are a good team and they pressed us in the first half and we could not do anything. At half-time we asked the players to be more cautious as well as conscious in the second half. And in the second half they played better and scored a goal early and then a minute later we scored one more," said Iran coach Mostafa Ghanbar Pour, with his side set to round off their group stage campaign against Syria on Thursday.
"I am happy with this victory and happy to have qualified for the next round."
Iran started brightly as they looked to build on Sunday's win over Qatar and Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Salman Al Saeed was at full stretch after 15 minutes to push away Nima Mokhtari's low drive.
Al Saeed was beaten six minutes later but fortunately for Saudi Arabia, Karimi's rising strike from inside the penalty area came back off the crossbar.
But it was Saudi Arabia who opened the scoring five minutes before half-time as Iran goalkeeper Farid Nejatpashaki could only help Abdullah's glancing header from Abdulrahman Shanar's chipped cross into the corner of the net.
Iran, though, drew level four minutes after the hour mark as onrushing substitute Shamsi met Karimi's chipped cross with an unstoppable towering header from close to the penalty spot.
And Iran completed the comeback a minute later as calamitous defending by Saudi Arabia created the opportunity for Karimi to burst through the centre and bundle the ball home ahead of Al Saeed.
And with Saudi Arabia unable to find a response to add to Sunday's draw with Syria despite a hectic end to the contest, Antonio Ruiz's side sit tied for third place in Group D alongside Qatar, with the pair a point adrift of second place Syria heading into Thursday's final round of fixtures with all three sides in contention to join Iran in the quarter-finals.
"We had our chances in the first and second half but we managed only one goal and we lost the game. Iran played well and won as we struggled to play in the second half. In the second half we had problems as Iran played differently than in the first half, but overall I think we played well," said Saudi Arabia coach Ruiz, with his side set to face Qatar in Thursday's final outing in Group D.
"We missed a lot of opportunities, but these are not professional players, these are young players. The players have improved and I am sure they will play better next season in Saudi Arabia as this tournament is a very good experience for them."