Iran sealed their place in the final since winning the competition in 2008 after a 6-5 penalty shootout victory over defending champions DPR Korea in Thursday’s semi-final following a 1-1 draw. Iraq, who ran out impressive 4-2 victors over Japan in Thursday’s other last-four fixture, eye a second continental crown.
The Goan Network
Margao
Coach Abbas Chamanian has called on his side Islamic Republic of Iran to stand up to their sternest test yet when they take on Iraq in the AFC U-16 Championships summit clash at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda on Sunday.
"We know everything about the opponent. They deserve to be here and are a very strong rival. We are not scared about that. For us, it’s a nice challenge and the aim is to put on a performance,” said Chamanian.
Iran sealed their place in a first final since winning the competition in 2008 after a 6-5 penalty shootout victory over defending champions DPR Korea in Thursday’s semi-final following a 1-1 draw.
Chamanian’s side must now overcome neighbours Iraq, who ran out impressive 4-2 victors over Japan in Thursday’s other last-four fixture, if they are to claim a second continental crown.
“Iraq are a very strong team that attacks very well. They have quality and dangerous players who are physical with good technique,” said Chamanian, whose side also secured their place in the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup by seeing off Vietnam 5-0 in the quarter-finals.
“We have analysed Iraq and we know it will be a very difficult match. If we want to achieve success the players will need to be at their best.But from the start of the tournament our top priority was to get to the final and win the competition. We’ve prepared the players only to think about winning the trophy.”
Mohammad Sharifi’s first-half goal saw Iran go into the interval a goal to the good against DPR Korea only for Kim Pom-hyok to equalise late on and take the semi-final to penalties.
With the shootout at 5-5, goalkeeper Ali Gholam Zadeh stepped up to score before returning to his line to save from Kim Kyong-sok as the Iranians progressed to their third final at the AFC youth event.
“From the start of the competition we have been very successful,” added Chamanian. “Every game has been a new experience and every game has been successful. Against DPR Korea we controlled their players and that is what we must do against Iraq in order to win. We have a game plan to control the match.”
But unable to call on injured captain Aref Alipour since Matchday Two, Chamanian now has fresh concerns over influential midfielder Mohammad Ghaderi and defender Saeid Ahani ahead of a first meeting with Iraq at the competition since a scoreless draw in the 2006 group stage.
“It was a very hard game against DPR Korea,” said Chamanian. “We have had a good recovery but tomorrow there is a chance Alipour, Ghaderi and Ahani will miss the game through injury."
