Asian Hockey5s Championship:
Iran defeats Iraq, Saudi Arabia to progress to knockouts
Iran’s U18 men’s team secured its place in the knockout stage of the Asian Youth Hockey5s Championship in Muscat, Oman, after defeating Iraq and Saudi Arabia on Friday.
Iran produced another impressive display in the return leg of the group stage, opening the day with a 4-1 victory over Iraq.
Mahdi Golestan, who was named Player of the Match, was on target alongside Mohammad Pouya, Kamyar Mohammadnejad, and Amirhossein Rajabi.
In its second match of the day, Iran delivered a dominant attacking performance to thrash Saudi Arabia 7-0. Pouya was named Player of the Match after another standout display, while Parsa Rajabi and Ashkan Zolfagharkhanian each scored twice. Mohammad Taha Abbasi, Pouya, and Golestan also found the net.
The victories saw Iran finish comfortably atop the Men’s Challenger bracket and book a place in the knockout stage, where it will face the fourth-placed team from the Elite bracket on Saturday for a place in the semifinals.
The championship also serves as the qualifying tournament for the FIH Hockey5s World Cup later this year.
Iran had made a flying start to the tournament in Muscat on Monday, securing back-to-back victories over Iraq and Saudi Arabia.
Competing in its first international tournament, Iran opened its Men’s Challenger campaign with a 5-0 victory over Iraq before hammering Saudi Arabia 9-0 to underline its title ambitions.