2018 Asian Games: U23 Football Team Humbles North Korea

Iran U23 football team defeated North Korea 3-0 in the series of Asian Games in Jakarta on Friday.

Amir Roostaei, Mehdi Ghaedi and Aref Aghasi scored for Iran in 38, 69 and 90+2 minutes.

Beginning an offensive game, Iran was keen on scoring goals in the early minutes but Roostaei’s efforts in the 18th and 21st minutes did not bear fruit, IRNA reported.

In no mood to fall back, Iran pushed at the North Korean defense and in the 28th minute Roostaei shot a wandering ball to the corner of the goal to put Iran in front. 

Soon after the restart, North Korea tried to set the equalizer but when Song Kum-song left the field with a red card in the 52 minute, the Koreans lost their concentration.

Benefiting from the situation, Mehdi Ghaedi netted the second goal for Iran in the 69 minute.

In the late minutes of extra time, Iran’s Aghasi rushed to the 18-yard box but was stopped with a tackle and awarded a penalty which he converted, giving Iran a decisive victory in the second game of the tournament after a goalless draw against Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. In its last group stage match, Iran will face Myanmar on Monday in Jakarta.