Iran confirmed their place in the final of the AFF tournament 2012 when they picked up the full six points out of two matches, following their close 2-1 win over Uzbekistan in an Ho Che Min City match.

Iran’s team coach Akbar Mohammadi Argi said after the game that both teams were struggling with the unpredictable weather conditions throughout the 90 minutes.

“It was hot at the start then it became cold right at the end, a condition which both teams have to adjust to,” said Akbar. “Today, we put what we have learned into practice and it is just another win for us.

“But today, the players also must realized that they have to finish all the chances they have created where in the second half we had at least three good opportunities. That failure to score resulted in us being put under pressure.”

With both teams fresh from their respective victories two days earlier, the game was always going to be close as afterall the last time, the two teams met in friendlies in Tashkent, it ended in an even one win and one defeat for either team.

But today, Iran seemed to be more determined where in spite of being ran ragged by Vietnam in their first match, they have the legs to take control of the midfield with Mohammad Hossein pulling the strings.

Both Roozbeh Chesmi and Sardar Azmoun had their chances but missed the target while for Uzbekistan’s best effort in the first half came off Abdumuminov Jahongir in the 18^th minute but was denied by the excellent save from Hojjat Sedhi.

In the 29^th minute, there was no denying Iran the lead when Azmoun made good on the cross from Roozbeh. The score at the end of the first half was 1-0 to Iran.

The second half saw a more battling performance from Uzbekistan as they look for the equalizer. In the 58^th minute, a header from Yuldashov Boburbek off a freekick was cleared on the line by Mohammad Hossein.

Iran replied with Azmoun rocking the crossbar just after the hourmark before Roozbeh doubled their lead with a well taken header off a cross from Hossein Fazeli.

Uzbekistan then grabbed their only goal in the game in the 71^st minute when Sergeev Igor slammed home from close range.

Iran will play its final match against Australia on Thursday 6th September 2012. Australia won its first match when they defeated host Vietnam 4-0 later in the day.

Iran is leading the 4 team tournament with 6 points.

 

 

 

HO CHI MINH CITY (2 Sept 2012) –

Iran denied Vietnam further reasons to celebrate their National Day today when they beat the hosts 2-1 in the second game of the first match day of the AFF Under-19 Preparatory Tournament here at the Thong Nhat Stadium.

Today marked the 65^th year of Vietnam’s independence.

But at the Thong Nhat Stadium, Iran would prove that they mean business as barely into the first minute of play, striker Sardar Azmoun blasted in the lead for the visitors from the edge of the box.

With the fans barely into their seat and the home team still looking to settle down, the early goal certainly did not sit well with their plans.

They tried hard to get back into the game but found Iran’s physique too hard to break down as play was restricted to mostly in the middle of the park.

In the 33^rd minute, the game went up a notch as after a long cross from the back, Behnam Barzay ran in with the ball before putting it past Vietnam keeper Nguyen Son Hai.

Two goals down and with nowhere else to go but forward, Vietnam soon strung passes together and as Iran became more brazen, the hosts finally scored their first goal in the game just before the break.

Off a long cross from Dao Duy Khanh, striker Phan Dinh Thang chipped the ball over the oncoming Iran keeper Hojjat Sedghi – much to the jubilation of the several thousand fans.

The second half was very much a carbon copy of the first with Vietnam more on the counter-attack to get the better of their much taller opponents. But with them unable to hold the ball for long periods, the loss of possessions was telling to their overall effort.

Iran’s best chance after the break came in the 67^th minute but Azmoun totally fumbled his try while ten minutes to the end, Vietnam’s chance for an equalizer was denied by Hojjat.

The Next match for Iran U19 will be on the 4th September against Uzbekistan who beat Australia 2-1 in the forst match.