Iran take top honours in AFF event

AFC – VIETNAM, Iran enjoyed a morale-boosting win ahead of November’s AFC U-19 Championship by claiming the AFF U19 Tournament in Vietnam with a 2-1 victory over Uzbekistan in Saturday’s final.

Iran skipper Alireza Jahanbakhsh scored both his side’s goals, opening the scoring with barely a minute at the Thong Nhat Stadium gone and netted what transpired to be the decisive goal in the 23rd minute, four minutes after Igor Sergeev had headed home Uzbekistan’s equaliser.

Australia finished third after hammering hosts Vietnam 4-0 for the second time in the tournament.

All four teams are taking part in the 2012 AFC U-19 Championship, which will be held from November 4 to 17, with Iran pooled with hosts UAE, Japan and Kuwait in Group A.

Uzbekistan and Vietnam have be drawn together in Group C alongside Jordan and reigning champions DPR Korea while Australia, who finished runners-up to the North Koreans after going down 3-2 in the 2010 final, are in Group D with 2006 champions Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Syria.