AFC U-19 Championship: IR Iran 0-0 Japan

Both teams were denied by the woodwork on several occasions, with IR Iran seeing an early effort bounce off the line and out, but it was a night of frustration for the two teams as they cancelled each other out.

A fine free kick delivery from Ritsu Doan on the left flank handed Japan their first real chance in only the 5th minute, curling to the far post where Yuta Nakayama had made a fine run.

The Japanese defender’s header was slightly off target though, as it rattled the crossbar and ended up in a sea of bodies, with the East Asians unable to take advantage of the goalmouth scramble.

Three minutes later, IR Iran replied in kind after some end-to-end action.

A clever piece of hold-up play from Reza Karmollachaab saw him bring the ball down before laying it back for Reza Shekari, whose 30-yard shot crashed off the underside of the crossbar before bouncing agonisingly on the line and out.

Shunta Nakamura then escaped Aref Gholami’s attentions in the box up the other end, but the defender made amends by recovering quickly to deflect Nakamura’s shot onto the upright.