Clinical Iran make winning startIn the opening group A match of the AFC U23 Championships Syria faced Iran, at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.
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.
Arsalan Motahhari gave Iran the lead in the 64th minute. He showed quick feet in the box to beat three defenders before firing home a left-footed shot.
Syria pressed for an equaliser in the 70th minute. Omar Khribin connected well with a shot from 20 yards but goalkeeper Mohammad Reza Akhbari palmed the ball clear.
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.
Iran then kept the game tight for the final 18 minutes to get their campaign off to the perfect start.
Both sides are next in action on Friday. Syria will face China, while Iran are up against the hosts, Qatar.
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