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AFC U23 Asian Cup
Team Melli Omid ran out 3-2 winners in the final, group-deciding clash against Tajikistan to book their place, leaving the group hosts as potential qualifiers as one of the best placed runners-up, while Lebanon defeated Nepal 4-0 in the earlier match.
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IR IRAN 3-2 TAJIKISTAN
A sensational hat-trick from captain Yasin Salmani took Mehdi Mahdvikia’s side all the way to Uzbekistan 2022 after a thrilling Group B final ended in 3-2 Islamic Republic of Iran’s favour.
The Sepahan youngster bagged all three goals in a dizzying first half, where the teams traded five goals in the space of 35 minutes in front of a vibrant Central Republican Stadium crowd.
Iran’s win sends them back to the continental Finals, but Tajikistan will have to wait to see if they will join them as one of the four best placed runners-up after they missed their chance to win the group on the night.
A sensational hat-trick from captain Yasin Salmani took Mehdi Mahdvikia’s side all the way to Uzbekistan 2022 after a thrilling Group B final ended in 3-2 Islamic Republic of Iran’s favour.
The Sepahan youngster bagged all three goals in a dizzying first half, where the teams traded five goals in the space of 35 minutes in front of a vibrant Central Republican Stadium crowd.
Iran’s win sends them back to the continental Finals, but Tajikistan will have to wait to see if they will join them as one of the four best placed runners-up after they missed their chance to win the group on the night.
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Mubin Ergashev’s side got off to a flying start, and the Dushanbe crowd erupted when Islom Zairov fired home a terrific volley in the 10th minute, but they were silenced when Salmani beat goalkeeper Shohrulh Qirghizboev with a low free-kick just three minutes later.
Salmani gave Iran the lead when he benefited from an error by Naimdzhon Ibrogimzoda in the 19th minute, but Tajikistan were level once again when Ehson Panshanbe converted a penalty to make it 2-2 after 22 thrilling minutes.
Iran’s captain continued his one-man mission when he scored a superb header to make it 3-2 in the final minute of the first half, meaning Tajikistan – who needed only a draw to seal their place at the finals – played catch-up after the break.
Salmani gave Iran the lead when he benefited from an error by Naimdzhon Ibrogimzoda in the 19th minute, but Tajikistan were level once again when Ehson Panshanbe converted a penalty to make it 2-2 after 22 thrilling minutes.
Iran’s captain continued his one-man mission when he scored a superb header to make it 3-2 in the final minute of the first half, meaning Tajikistan – who needed only a draw to seal their place at the finals – played catch-up after the break.
They had their chances to equalise in a second half that was no less entertaining despite the relative paucity of goalmouth action.
Panshanbe narrowly missed with a fre- kick, while Rustam Soirov saw an effort cleared off the goal-line just prior to a flurry of near misses for the hosts, but Iran held on to secure a crucial victory in one of the most entertaining games seen anywhere across Asia this week.
Panshanbe narrowly missed with a fre- kick, while Rustam Soirov saw an effort cleared off the goal-line just prior to a flurry of near misses for the hosts, but Iran held on to secure a crucial victory in one of the most entertaining games seen anywhere across Asia this week.
LEBANON 4-0 NEPAL
Earlier on Sunday, a powerful second half display ensured Lebanon ended their AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifying campaign on a high, cruising to a 4-0 victory over Nepal.
Earlier on Sunday, a powerful second half display ensured Lebanon ended their AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifying campaign on a high, cruising to a 4-0 victory over Nepal.
Both sides had been eliminated by virtue of their earlier defeats in Group B, but Lebanon made sure they had something to show for their time in Tajikistan as Zein Farran helped himself to a double.
It was Farran who got the party started for Jamal Taha’s side, putting them ahead in the 26th minute, and the Al Ahed forward doubled the advantage two minutes after half-time.
It was Farran who got the party started for Jamal Taha’s side, putting them ahead in the 26th minute, and the Al Ahed forward doubled the advantage two minutes after half-time.
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It was a dominant second half for the Cedars, who went further clear when Mohammad Nasser extended the lead to 3-0 in the 74th minute, before substitute Mohamad Haidar settled the scoring eight minutes from time.
Having run both Tajikistan and Islamic Republic of Iran close in their earlier matches, the emphatic win was a reward for the effort shown by Lebanon throughout the qualifying tournament, while Nepal’s campaign ended without any points or goals to show for their three outings.
Having run both Tajikistan and Islamic Republic of Iran close in their earlier matches, the emphatic win was a reward for the effort shown by Lebanon throughout the qualifying tournament, while Nepal’s campaign ended without any points or goals to show for their three outings.
