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<strong>Clinical Iran make winning start</strong><br />
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In the opening group A match of the AFC U23 Championships Syria faced Iran, at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.<br />
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Iran claimed all three points in Al Sadd thanks to a 2-0 victory. It was an attritional affair but Iran showed their extra class in the final third to claim a vital three points.<br />
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Arsalan Motahhari gave Iran the lead in the 64^th minute. He showed quick feet in the box to beat three defenders before firing home a left-footed shot.<br />
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Syria pressed for an equaliser in the 70^th minute. Omar Khribin connected well with a shot from 20 yards but goalkeeper Mohammad Reza Akhbari palmed the ball clear.<br />
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But less than two minutes later, Iran had doubled their lead. Mehrdad Mohammadi produced a clinical finish to make it 2-0 after latching on to a cross from Mehdi Torabi.<br />
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Iran then kept the game tight for the final 18 minutes to get their campaign off to the perfect start.<br />
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Both sides are next in action on Friday. Syria will face China, while Iran are up against the hosts, Qatar.<br />
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