FATORDA: Super-Sub Alireza Asadabadi scored the all-important goal for Iran in a come-from-behind 3-2 win against Saudi Arabia in the inaugural Group A match of the AFC U-16 Championship 2016, at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Thursday.
Mansor Al Beshe begun match in stunning fashion with a superb strike inside five minutes before Dhari Al Anazi doubled the advantage just before the break.
Iran roared back after half-time though and Allahyar Sayyad made it 2-1 two minutes into the second period before first Mohammad Sharifi and then Asadabadi completed the comeback in a dramatic two-minute spell.
Midfielder Al Beshe netted the tournament’s first goal in spectacular style four minutes in as he unleashed a thunderous strike from fully 25-yards out that rocketed into the net past the despairing dive of Meraj Esmaeili in the Iran goal.
The Iranians looked to restore parity in swift succession and captain Aref Alipour did go close with a free-kick from distance on 19 minutes.
After the half-hour, Mohammad Ghaderi went even closer as the midfielder wriggled into the penalty area before striking a firm shot that was well saved by Hashem Al Asmari.
Abbas Chamanian’s team continued to press for an equaliser but were kept out by a resolute Saudi side who then went on to extend their lead three minutes before half-time when Mali crossed in from the left for the onrushing Al Anazi to steer home.
Within the seconds of the restart Iran could have reduced the deficit but Sayyad volleyed Saeid Ahani’s cross over the bar.
The substitute was not to be denied a second time in quick succession though as on the 47th minute Sayyad broke through on goal and struck the ball emphatically past Al Asmari.
The action flashed from end-to-end as Al Anazi could have restored the two goal cushion but somehow blazed over from six-yards out after Esmaeili could only parry Mali’s shot.
On 68 minutes, Sharifi turned home from a goalmouth scramble after a corner and just moments later, with Saudi Arabia still reeling from the leveller, Asadabadi found himself one-on-one with Al Asmari and finished coolly to spark frenzied celebrations on the Iran bench.
