Yanpi bags double in Iran win

AFC – Striker Shahab Yanpi maintained his hot-scoring form at the AFC U-17 Championship bagging two goals as Iran trounced neighbours Iraq 3-0 to advance to the semi-finals.

Iran went into the match at the Nihondaira Stadium as favourites after winning all three of their opening round matches and they quickly asserted their control, taking a 1-0 lead after just eight minutes through Amir Hossein Eipakchi.

Yanpi then settled the match in favour of the Persians with two goals in eight minutes in the second half. The 16-year-old struck on the hour mark and then made the score 3-0 in the 68th minute to raise his goal tally for the tournament to six.

Iran, seeking their first ever AFC U-17 title, are the only team left in the tournament with a 100 per cent record. They meet China in Kusanagi on Wednesday for a place in this year’s AFC U-17 Championship final.