Iran U-16 Team Advances to 2012 U-17 Championship

Iran's U-16 team beats Australia to advance to U-17 Championship.

Iran's U-16 team won its quarterfinal match against Australia to advance to semifinals and secure a berth at the FIFA U-17 Championship 2013 in the United Arab Emirates.

The Iranian team defeated Joeys 5-1 in the 2012 AFC U16 quarterfinal clash at Tehran’s Shahid Dastgerdi Stadium and in the presence of nearly 2,000 cheering fans.

Saeed Ezzatollahi scored Iran's first goal from the penalty spot at 31st minute, and Reza Karmollachaab scored the second goal four minutes later for Ali Doustimehr’s young chargers to blank Australia in the first half.

Iran's Mohammad-Reza Bazaj extended Iran’s lead to 3-0 in the 64th and Ali Rigi scored the 4th goals in the 80th minute.

Bai Antonio pulled a goal back for Australia in the 87th minute, but Karmollachaab finished it up for Alistair Edwards’ boys with scoring Iran's fifth goal 4 minutes into the injury time.

Iran U-16 team played in Group A along with Yemen, Kuwait and Laos, defeating all of them in the final round.

Iran won the AFC U-16 Championship in 2008 and was a finalist in the year 2000.

The AFC U-16 Championship, organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), is held once every two years for Asian under-16 teams. It also serves as a qualification tournament for the FIFA U-17 World Cup.