Team Omid begins AFC U-23 Championship with 2-0 victory over Syria [VIDEO]

PFDC – DOHA, The Iranians looked sloppy in the first half but more than made up for it in the second half as the Man of the Match Amir Arsalan Motahari scored one and assisted another to earn a 2-0 win for Team Omid.

Syria and Iran had the privilege of kicking off the AFC U-23 Championship in Doha, Qatar at the Jassim Bin Hammad Stadium. For many Iranian supporters it was not surprising that Team Omid did not perform well the full ninety minutes. Team Omid looked sloppy at times in the first half but fortunately the Syrians were unable to take advantage and went into the interval scoreless.

Perhaps the break at halftime gave the Iranians the rest they needed to refocus. Whatever happened during interval seemed to help as Iran opened the scoring in the 64th minute through an excellent solo goal by Amir Arsalan Motahari. The striker had possession in the left side of the penalty area, dribbled past two defenders with ease and finished it off by sending a low shot in the far corner leaving Syrian keeper Nassan helpless.

The Syrians were not discouraged from falling behind as six minutes later Omar Kharbin nearly scored the equalizer with a nice shot from just inside the penalty area but Iranian keeper Mohammad Reza Akhbari made a fine save to keep his side in the lead.

In the 72nd minute, Arsalan raced down the right side and sent a nice pass in the penalty area to midfielder Milad Mohamamdi, who then had the perfect first-touch that evaded the Syrian centre-back and then finished it off perfectly by placing an unstoppable shot into the low far-corner. After that the Syrians knew they were beaten.

Team Omid did not play well in the first half but they were able to make amends by keeping a clean sheet and earning the valuable three points. Head Coach and former TM defender Mohammad Khakpour said his players were nervous in the first half. During half time he told them to relax and the enjoy the game. The Iranian fans in attendance definitely enjoyed the second half as well.

Iran’s next match will take place on Friday January 15th against hosts Qatar.

Photo: Lagardère Sports