Iran moved into the quarter-finals of the AFC U23 Championship as Mohammed Khakpour’s team notched up a 3-2 win over China on Monday to secure second place in Group A and set-up a quarter-final meeting with Japan.
Arsalan Motahhari gave the Iranians the lead before Chang Feiya levelled seconds later. Ehsan Pahlavan restored his side’s lead in a frantic three-minute spell late in the first half before Mahdi Torabi’s free kick just after the break extended Iran’s advantage, although a penalty by Liao Lisheng caused some late jitters.

“We were under a lot of pressure in our country, back in Iran, and we had to make lots of changes because we knew we would go on in this tournament and we would have to save some of our players,” said Khakpour.

“The Chinese were playing fair and square and they gave us a good challenge, even though they had lost two games and they knew they weren’t going through. China were hard but fair and I appreciate their efforts.

“My players were giving their best in this game and I appreciate that. I’m very proud to have players like this and hopefully in the next game we will have the same result.”

A nondescript opening half hour gave way to a flurry of activity and goals as the opening period came to a close, with the action moving freely from one end of the pitch to the other.

Zhang Yuning almost managed to redirect Mi Haolun’s 36th minute free kick into the goal, only to find the arms of Iran goalkeeper Mohammedreza Akhbari with his effort on the slide.

Less than a minute later, Pahlavan’s attempt suffered a similar fate after his one-two with Torabi unlocked the Chinese defence......

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