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Ten-man India out of AFC U-16 Cup after losing to Iran
MARGAO: Mohammed Sharifi struck twice in final few minutes as Iran recorded a convincing 3-0 win to oust 10-man India from the AFC U-16 Football Championship.
MARGAO: Mohammed Sharifi struck twice in final few minutes as Iran recorded a convincing 3-0 win to oust 10-man India from the AFC U-16 Football Championship.
The Iran boys entered the quarter-finals from group A. Iran controlled proceedings throughout with Mohammad Ghaderi scoring in the 23rd minute while Mohammad Sharifi was on target in the 81st and 90+1 minute.
Thus, Iran along with UAE, who both finishing with seven points each from group A, made it to the quarter-finals along with Japan, Uzbekistan and North Korea.
Iran played short passes amongst themselves following it up with long ball moves to keep the home team defence under constant pressure. India defended foggedly until 23rd minute when they conceded goal through quick counter.
Midfielder Ghaderi, who kept the pressure on the home team with his constant sprints down wide left initiated the move as he played a one-two with Vahid Namdari before a rasping shot crashed onto the roof of the net.
But hosts received a jolt when they were reduced to 10 men after defender Boris Thangjam was sent off by referee Yaqoob Said Abdullah Abdul Baqi of Oman for a second bookable offence on rival player. Iran kept up the pressure to earn a couple of penalties, which Mohammed Sharifi converted to make it 3-0.
