AFC U-23 Championship: Iran 1-1 Uzbekistan

Iran’s National Team (Team Melli) have fought back from a goal down to hold defending champions Uzbekistan to a 1-all draw in their opening Group C tie at the AFC Under-23 Championship in Thailand.

According to Press TV, the Uzbeks went ahead through a penalty kick just before half-time when their striker was brought down in the box, and captain Kobilov was there to send the keeper the wrong way from the spot kick. 

But Hamid Estili’s men came up with an equalizer two minutes before the hour mark, when Reza Dehghani poked the ball home from close range during a penalty area scramble. 

Just six minutes later, Iran could have scored the winner only if Mohammad Mohebbi was a bit more clinical on target, but he skied his effort at goal, as the sides shared the spoils from a hard-fought opening encounter.

Iran will next meet South Korea on Sunday, while Uzbekistan will be facing China the same day. 

ME