Zambia stuns Iran 4-2 at FIFA U-20 World Cup
Zambia national under-20 football team has defeated Iran Youth Team at the preliminary round of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) U-20 World Cup.
On Wednesday, 18-year-old striker Reza Shekari Qezel Qayah, who plays for Rostov in the Russian Premier League, put the Persians in front in the 7th minute of the Group C match at the Jeju World Cup Stadium in the southwestern South Korean city of Seogwipo, when Zambian custodian Mangani Banda’s clearance fell straight to him.
The African champion’s effort to score an equalizer failed, when Fashion Sakala rattled the post with a fine header on the stroke of half-time. The first half ended with the Iran national under-20 football team leading at 1-0.
The second half saw Zambians being penalized after committing a foul. Shekari extended Iran’s lead in the 49th minute from the penalty spot.
Zambia then came from behind, and slowly grew in confidence. A hoofed ball by defender Solomon Sakala found 20-year-old namesake Fashion Sakala, who cut inside and volleyed low to half the deficit in the 54th minute.
Five minutes later, a lovely flowing move down the right resulted in Emmanuel Banda’s flick being slotted home by Enock Mwepu.
Zambian football players could find the net two more times later. Banda put Zambia ahead in the 65th minute following a goalmouth scramble.
Patson Daka claimed the Zambian side’s 4-2 victory in the 71st minute, when he picked out the bottom corner from 20 yards.
Amirhossein Peiravani’s boys are slated to take on Portugal national under-20 team in their third Group C fixture on Saturday.
The 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup kicked off in South Korea on May 20 and will finish on June 11.
The Islamic Republic of Iran is in Group C with Costa Rica, Portugal and Zambia.
Argentina, England, Guinea and South Korea have been drawn in Group A. Germany, Mexico, Vanuatu and Venezuela shape Group B.
Group D consists of Italy, Japan, South Africa and Uruguay. France, Honduras, New Zealand and Vietnam are in Group E.
Ecuador, Saudi Arabia, Senegal and the United States form Group F.
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