Tag: Kasra Taheri

Iran U-17 to begin the campaign against Brazil

  • Iran set for fifth appearance at U-17 World Cup
  • They will kick off the campaign against reigning champions Brazil
  • Nation will also face England and New Caledonia in the group stage

Iran have been handed one of the toughest draws possible in the FIFA U-17 World Cup™ group phase, with the nation pitted against the past two winners of the tournament, Brazil and England. They boast impressive pedigree at the competition themselves, however, having made it through to the knockout stage in each of their previous three appearances. Learn more about the Iran team aiming to make their mark in Indonesia below.

IR Iran’s U-17 World Cup Group C fixtures

11 November Brazil v IR Iran, 19.00 local time, Jakarta International Stadium

14 November England v IR Iran, 19.00 local time, Jakarta International Stadium

17 November IR Iran v New Caledonia, 19.00 local time, Si Jalak Harupat Stadium

How they qualified

Iran booked their ticket to Indonesia in a dramatic fashion. Needing to reach the last four of the 2023 AFC U-17 Asian Cup to secure qualification, they edged out Yemen in a quarter-final penalty shootout. Iran was then beaten 3-0 by eventual champions Japan in the semis.

Coach: Hossein Abdi

A former player with Iranian side Persepolis, Abdi went on to join the club’s coaching staff and notably had a spell as assistant to first-team boss – and national team legend – Ali Daei. During his time with the Iran Football Federation, he has also led the country’s U-16 team.

One to watch: Kasra Taheri

An athletic, skillful striker who links play well, Taheri was one of the stars of Iran’s run to the semi-finals of the 2023 AFC U-17 Asian Cup. He started all five of the team’s games at the tournament and scored two goals.

Tournament History

Iran will be participating in the U-17 World Cup for the fifth time. Their best performance was in India in 2017 when they reached the quarter-finals, recording eye-catching victories over Germany and two-time champions Mexico along the way.

Did you know?

Iran is unbeaten in their past nine group matches at the U-17 World Cup (won six, drawn three).

AFC U-17 qualifiers Iran thrash Hong Kong11-1

Bishkek: Iran concluded their AFC U17 Asian Cup™ 2023 Qualifiers Group I campaign with an 11-1 win over Hong Kong on Sunday.
Having already booked their place in the Finals with a match to spare, Iran turned on the power at the Dolen Omurzakov Stadium in Bishkek.

Laos, meanwhile, defeated hosts Hosts Kyrgyz Republic 2-1 to finish second and possibly earn a spot in the Finals as one of the six best runners-up.

Iran 11-1 Hong Kong
Reza Ghandipour scored four while Kasra Taheri and Esmaeil Gholizadeh Samian netted hat-tricks as Iran sent out a warning that they would be a force to be reckoned with in next year’s Finals.

Ghandipour (pictured below) scored in the 13th, 16th, 65th, and 90+2 minutes against a Hong Kong side who ended their campaign with three defeats.

Taheri’s goals were scored in the 41st, 52nd, and 68th minutes while Samian hit the back of the net in the 29th,66th, and 88th minutes.

Mohammad Askari also got on the scoresheet in the 81st minute with Chan Ho Ka netting Hong Kong’s only goal in the 67th minute.

Iran U17 defeats Laos in AFC Asian Qualifiers

Bishkek: Iran and the Kyrgyz Republic seized the early initiative in Group I of the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ 2023 Qualifiers with opening wins on Wednesday.
Iran lead the standings after a 3-0 win over Laos while hosts the Kyrgyz Republic defeated Hong Kong 2-1 at the Dolen Omurzakov Stadium,
IR Iran 3-0 Laos
Iran had to work hard to defeat a resilient Laos side who held the Central Asian side to a stalemate in the first half.

Iran finally found the breakthrough in the 67th minute with forward Kasra Taheri (pictured above) opening the scoring.

Midfielder Mohammad Askari doubled their lead in the 83rd with forward Reza Ghandipour sealing the win with his effort in the third minute of added time.

Iran plays the Kyrgyz Republic next on Friday with Laos meeting Hong Kong.