IRAN EDGE PAST MEXICO TO BOOK LAST 8 BERTH
Margao, Oct. 17: Iran outwitted Mexico 2-1 here on Tuesday to set up a clash with Spain in the quarter-finals of the U-17 World Cup at Kochi.
Iran exploited Mexico’s weak defence to score through Mohammed Sharifi (7th) and Allahyar Sayyad (11th).
Mexico attacked from the word go and created several chances but they were either off target or failed to surpass goalkeeper Ali Gholam Zadeh.
However, Mexico managed to reduce the margin in the 37th minute through Roberto de la Rosa.
After Mexico trailed by two goals, they played quick short passes to unsettle Iran’s defence, who were playing with five defenders.
Iran earned a penalty in the seventh minute when Mexico defender Adrian Vazquez brought down Mohammed Ghaderi while going for the ball inside the box and referee Anthony Taylor had no hesitation in awarding the penalty, which Sharifi converted.
Mexico’s defence was exposed again four minutes later as Sayyad placed the ball into the net past advancing keeper Cesar Lopez.
Unfazed by the setback, Mexico kept attacking with a series of moves and after missing couple of close chances, they managed to find the net.
De la Rosa found the back of the net off a rebound from the top of the box after the Iranian keeper managed to block Diego Lainez’s left-footed shot.
Later, Mali cruised to a 5-1 victory over Iraq to set up a quarter-final clash against African opposition in the form of either Ghana or Niger in Guwahati on Saturday.
Mali deservedly took the lead through Hadji Drame on 25 minutes. Salam Jiddou on the left centred for the unmarked Drame to score the 2,000th goal in tournament history.
The Malians then doubled their advantage shortly after the half-hour mark, as Lassana N’Diaye headed at the near post.
The West Africans scored an emphatic third goal through Fode Konate in the second half, the strike flying past Iraq goalkeeper Ali Ibadi.
The Asians would get a consolation through Ali Kareem before Mali added two late goals through Seme Camara and N’Diaye to seal a comfortable win.