AFC U-14: Iran 1-0 Saudi Arabia

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) Mohsen Godarzi scored a superb and decisive goal in the 40th minute as Iran edged Saudi Arabia 1-0 to reach the semi-finals of the AFC U-14 Championship as Group A runners-up.

The Saudi Arabia players never made it easy for the hosts, and after Timor-Leste equalized at the Mofateh Stadium against DPR Korea, Iran suffered an anxious end to the match in what had proved to be a keenly contested Group A.

However, Timor-Leste’s failure to win, combined with Saudi’s profligacy in front of goal, ensured Iran’s progress as group runners-up.

Iran’s midfielder Mohammad Sharifi also struck the woodwork shortly before half-time.

With both sides playing entertaining football, it was Godrazi’s individual brilliance that ensured the win for Iran after he dribbled past two defenders before unleashing a shot which left goalkeeper Alshamrani Anas Ibrahim helpless.

“Iran against Saudi match is always an important match and today was no different,” Iran coach Heidar Sharifi said after the match.

“We (Iran and Saudi Arabia) are considered to be traditional powerhouses of Asian football and we respect each other very much.

“We knew that it was not going to be easy task against a Saudi side who are coached by master tactician Omar (Abdulla).

“But we were also determined to win and the credit goes to all the players and technical staff for this great win.

“I don’t have any preference for my semi-final opponent, whoever is our opponent we will play to win,” he added.

His counterpart Omar Abdulla was magnanimous in defeat.

“The good thing is that we continue to improve and that is what my objectives were in the tournament,” said the Saudi coach.

“These players are still very young and have a lot of football ahead of them so this tournament was a good learning experience for them.

“They will be much better at the AFC U-16 Championship in 2016.” /End/