Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Goa: Goalkeeper Ali Gholam Zadeh was the hero as Islamic Republic of Iran booked a date with Iraq in Sunday’s AFC U-16 Championship India 2016 final after claiming a 6-5 penalty shootout win over defending champions DPR Korea following a 1-1 draw in Thursday’s semi-final.
Iran dominated the first half at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and took a one-goal lead into the break thanks to captain Mohammad Sharifi before Kye Tam levelled the scores from the spot to take the semi-final to penalties.
With the shootout at 5-5 Gholam Zadeh scored his spot kick before returning to his line to save from Kim Kyong-sok as the 2008 champions advanced to the final for only the second time.
After starting the stronger, Abbas Chamanian’s team came close on 16 minutes as Allahyar Sayyad's cross-goal shot evaded an outstretched Sin Tae-song in the Korean goal only to come back off the right post.