TEHRAN – Iran’s U23 football team qualified for the AFC U-23 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2022 on Sunday with a win against Tajikistan.
Team Melli Omid ran out 3-2 winner in the final at the Central Republican Stadium in Dushanbe.
A sensational hat-trick from captain Yasin Salmani took Mehdi Mahdvikia’s side all the way to Uzbekistan 2022.
The Sepahan youngster bagged all three goals in a dizzying first half.
Islom Zairov fired home a terrific volley and Ehson Panshanbe converted a penalty for Tajikistan in the first half.
Iran’s win sends them back to the continental Finals.
Iran started the campaign with a 4-0 win over Nepal and beat Lebanon 2-0 as well.
With the 3-2 win against Tajikstan in Sunday match, the Iranian U23 men’s football team has now advanced to the final stage of the 2022 AFC U23 Asian Cup qualification as the leader of their group.
The Iranian U23 football team was in Group B against the hosts Tajikistan, and Nepal, Lebanon and defeated all their rivals.
The Iranian U23 men’s football team is coached by Mehdi Mahdavikia, the former national football team player.
Iran’s under-23 football team topped the group stage with three victories and advanced to the final qualifying round of the 2024 Olympics in France. They will compete with 15 other teams at the final stage.