Iran end Yemen's dream
Published: 02:06 PM,Jun 25,2023 | EDITED : 06:06 PM,Jun 25,2023
Pathum Thani: Islamic Republic of Iran advanced to the AFC U17 Asian Cup Thailand 2023 semi-finals with a 4-2 penalty shootout win over Yemen after the last eight tie ended 0-0 on Sunday. Goalkeeper Arsha Shakouri was the hero, saving two of Yemen’s spot-kicks as Iran booked not only a last four meeting with either Japan or Australia but also their ticket to the FIFA U17 World Cup Indonesia 2023. While it was a heartbreaking defeat for Yemen, Iran deserved the win based on the balance of play at the Thammasat Stadium.
Iran, the 2008 AFC U-16 Championship winners, almost carved up an opening in the first minute when Kasra Taheri sent Esmaeil Gholizadeh through on goal but an alert Ali Al Hanbasi cleared the danger. Iran continued to pile pressure on Yemen with Hesam Nafari sending his shot from distance agonisingly wide in the seventh minute before Gholizadeh failed to find the target in the 18th minute with a headed attempt after a set-up from Taheri just outside the box. Having found themselves under heavy pressure in the opening minutes, Yemen finally began to gain a foothold on the match and created a chance almost out of nothing in the 26th minute when Adel Qasem weaved his way into the area before hitting it square for Abdulrahman Al Khadher, who was however dispossessed by Abolfazl Zoleikhaei in the nick of time.
At the other end, Yemen continued to frustrate Iran with keeper Wadhah Al Radfani tipping away Nima Andarz’s dangerous ball in, before Gholizadeh missed the target from inside the six-yard-box. The second half started on the same note with Iran pressuring and they almost found the opening goal in the 51st minute when Zoleikhaei did well to find space just above the box before sending a cross to Nima Andarz who headed the ball straight into the arms of Al Radfani. Yemen should have scored three minutes later through Ali Al Hanbasi, who beat two Iranian defenders at the top of the box but sent his effort above the bar. Both teams continued to toil in front of goal with Yemen’s Qasem miscuing his effort, while Taheri wasted Iran’s best chance when he headed the ball from close range straight to a grateful Al Radfani. The 10 minutes of added on time saw Iran virtually camped in the Yemen half and Taheri thought he had won it at the very end when he slotted the ball home, only to be ruled offside as the tie went to penalties. Shakouri's heroics, however, ensured it was Iran who celebrated at the end. -- AFC
Iran, the 2008 AFC U-16 Championship winners, almost carved up an opening in the first minute when Kasra Taheri sent Esmaeil Gholizadeh through on goal but an alert Ali Al Hanbasi cleared the danger. Iran continued to pile pressure on Yemen with Hesam Nafari sending his shot from distance agonisingly wide in the seventh minute before Gholizadeh failed to find the target in the 18th minute with a headed attempt after a set-up from Taheri just outside the box. Having found themselves under heavy pressure in the opening minutes, Yemen finally began to gain a foothold on the match and created a chance almost out of nothing in the 26th minute when Adel Qasem weaved his way into the area before hitting it square for Abdulrahman Al Khadher, who was however dispossessed by Abolfazl Zoleikhaei in the nick of time.
At the other end, Yemen continued to frustrate Iran with keeper Wadhah Al Radfani tipping away Nima Andarz’s dangerous ball in, before Gholizadeh missed the target from inside the six-yard-box. The second half started on the same note with Iran pressuring and they almost found the opening goal in the 51st minute when Zoleikhaei did well to find space just above the box before sending a cross to Nima Andarz who headed the ball straight into the arms of Al Radfani. Yemen should have scored three minutes later through Ali Al Hanbasi, who beat two Iranian defenders at the top of the box but sent his effort above the bar. Both teams continued to toil in front of goal with Yemen’s Qasem miscuing his effort, while Taheri wasted Iran’s best chance when he headed the ball from close range straight to a grateful Al Radfani. The 10 minutes of added on time saw Iran virtually camped in the Yemen half and Taheri thought he had won it at the very end when he slotted the ball home, only to be ruled offside as the tie went to penalties. Shakouri's heroics, however, ensured it was Iran who celebrated at the end. -- AFC