Iran today beat defending champions DPR Korea via sudden death (6-5) after both the teams were locked 1-1 in the regulation time to set up a title clash with Iraq in the AFC U-16 Championship here.
Mohammed Sharifi put Iran in the lead in the 19th minute before Kye Tam equalised in the second half to take the match to penalty shootout.
For Iran, Mohammad Sharifi, Amirhossein Esmaeilzadeh, Seid Ahani and substitute Alireza Asadabadi found the net in the tie-breaker. Kye Tam, Yun Min and Kim Pom Khok were successful in scoring for DPR Korea.
In the sudden death, Taha Shariati and Ali Gholam Zadeh scored for Iran. For DPR Korea, Paek Kwang Min scored while Kim Kyong Sok's shot was saved by the rival keeper to give Iran victory.
Iran controlled the proceedings from the start but were unable to make a breakthrough as they met stiff resistance from the rival defence.
Iran earned an indirect free kick in the 19th minute after referee Aziz Asimov pulled up DPR Korea keeper Sin Tae Song for time wasting and Mohammad Sharifi found the net with a stiff grounder to have Iran leading 1-0 at half time.
DPR Korea nearly equalised in the dying minutes of first half when a shot from substitute Kim Hwi Hwang was saved by Iran's keeper Ali Gholam Zadeh.
DPR Korea came with renewed vigour in the second half and they had two chances to find the equaliser but wasted them.
Iran, who preferred to defend their first half lead, survived close chances in the latter part of the game before they conceded a penalty after Amir Khodamoradi handled the ball inside the box off a free kick taken by Yun Min.
Kye Tam who took the penalty and made no mistake in finding the net to restore parity in the 79th minute.
With both the teams pressing hard to find the winner, it was Iran who had two clear chances to score but substitutes Younes Delfi and Alireza Asadabadi failed to direct their shot on target.
With both the teams tied 1-1 in the 90 minutes of regulation time, penalty shootout was ordered without any extra time.
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