U19: Yemen 0-2 Iran

AFC – LINZI, Two goals from substitute Kaveh Rezaei ensured Iran ended their AFC U-19 Championships on a high note with a 2-0 win over Yemen in Group D at Linzi Stadium.

Following a goalless first-half, Rezaei broke the deadlock in the 56th minute with Iran’s first goal of the tournament before converting a penalty four minutes from time, one which Yemen skipper Mohammed Boqshan conceded and collected a second yellow card as a result.

Iran had the first attempt on goal after just two minutes but Mojtaba Mahboub’s spectacular overhead kick unfortunately ended up in the arms of Yemen keeper Abdo Esam.

Tawfik Emad then lifted his effort over the bar six minutes later following a strong run into the box and Mahboub sidefooted woefully wide from Mohammad Abazadehonbirneyglou’s inviting cross just after the half hour mark.

Only Hadi Rishi’s acrobatics denied Yemen in the 33rd minute when the Iran keeper managed to get a fingertip to Ahmed Al Baidhani’s mis-directed cross that threatened to drift in at the far post before Ali Ali fired wide from the edge of the box shortly afterwards.

Iran came even closer to breaking the deadlock two minutes later when Yaghoub Karimi’s inswinging free-kick from the left flank was completely misjudged by Esam and cannoned of the far post.

Hadi Dehghani then hit the side netting after beating a defender as the half finished goalless.

Iran did take the lead 11 minutes into the second period. Mahboub showed good strength in the box to hold off the attentions of the Yemen defence and although his shot hit Yemen defender Ahmed Al Khamri, Rezaei was on hand to slot home at the back post.

Yemen had a chance to level three minutes later when Hesham Al Asbahi beautifully brought down a cross in the far side of the box but struck his shot disappointingly over the bar.

Karimi fired a right-foot free-kick inches past the post in the 75th minute before Yemen were reduced to 10 men with just four minutes to go as skipper Mohammed Boqshan pole-axed Rezaei in the box after the striker’s excellent touch meant he looked certain to score.

Boqshan was dismissed having already been booked and although Esam saved Rezaei’s penalty low down to his left, he was about three yards off his line when the kick was taken so a re-take was ordered.

Rezaei made no mistake the second time, firing the ball in the top corner to seal Iran’s win.