AFC U20 Asian Cup:
Iran eager to end the title drought, Zamani says after Yemen hammering
Iran’s Abolfazl Zamani hopes his team can build on a flying start to the AFC U20 Asian Cup in China to walk away with the elusive crown on the final day.
The Esteghlal midfielder found the net twice in the first half, with Esmaeil Qolizadeh, Reza Ghandipour, and Abolfazl Zoleikhaei also on the scoresheet, coupled with a Mohammed Moqbel’s own goal, as Iran routed 10-man Yemen 6-0 in its second game in China.
The victory left Hossein Abdi’s boys, who had beaten Indonesia 3-0 in their opener, on top of the Group C table with six points – thanks to a superior goal difference over defending champion Uzbekistan.
“The team’s effort was amazing. I’m happy I could contribute to this victory. I hope we can score more goals in the next game and advance to the next stage with a strong goal difference,” Zamani said after the game.
“Our main focus is to maintain a solid defense, avoid conceding goals, and defeat our opponents with as many goals as possible. Yemen is a good team, but we performed better. Hopefully, with the team’s continued effort, we can continue the perfect run to finish atop the group,” added the Iranian.
The top spot in the group will be on the line when Iran and Uzbekistan square off in Shenzhen on Wednesday.
The top two in each group will progress to the last-eight round, with the four semifinalists qualifying for September’s U20 World Cup in Chile.
“Our goal is to qualify for the under-20 World Cup and become Asian champions once again,” Zamani added.
Iran dominated the Asian competition in the 70s by winning four titles, but have only managed to reach the last four on three occasions since lifting a last trophy in 1976.
Meanwhile, head coach Hossein Abdi, who led Iran to the U17 World Cup last 16 in 2023, was pleased with his team’s defensive solidity against Yemen.
“We were prepared for a tough match, as we knew Yemen would put up a strong resistance. But after they were reduced to 10 men, it became easier for us to secure the three points,” said Abdi. “It would have been a good contest to face a full-strength Yemen team, as they were a very confident team.
“We scored some good goals, but football at this stage is also about development, and we would have preferred to face Yemen with all their players on the pitch.
“I told my players to take their feet off the gas and control the game after the sixth goal [in the 72nd minute] as we wanted to avoid bookings and injuries ahead of our future games in the tournament,” added the Iranian coach.
Yemen head coach Mohammed Hasan Ali cut a despondent figure after seeing his side eliminated from the tournament.
“I’m proud of my players even though we lost today,” said Ali. “We played really well and controlled the game at the start, but after the red card, my players found it tough to cope.
“After trailing by five goals, the players were really demotivated, and it was hard for them to stay focused in the second half.”