Iran U19s finish runners-up

AFC – KIEV, Iran’s confidence received a boost ahead of the AFC U-19 Championship when they finished runners-up in the four-team Valeriy Lobanovskiy Memorial Football Tournament.

The Asians lost 2-1 to Russia in the final but Milad Gharibi, who scored his side’s only goal in the final, was adjudged the Most Valuable Player of the tournament.

Ali Doustimehr’s charges defeated hosts Ukraine 4-2 to qualify for the summit clash against Russia.

The 16-team AFC U-19 Championship will be played in Zibo, China, from October 3 to 17.

The four-time champions were slotted in Group D alongside 11-time winners Korea Republic, last edition’s semi-finalists Australia and Yemen.