FIFA U-17 WC: Iran hammers four goals past Germany

Younes Delfi bagged a brace as Iran notched up tournament-defining win by shredding Germany to bits in a 4-0 mauling at the Fatorda stadium here on Tuesday.

Younes Delfi celebrates his second goal at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Tuesday.

Iran notched up tournament-defining win by shredding Germany to bits in a 4-0 mauling at the Fatorda stadium here on Tuesday.

Younes Delfi bagged a brace while Allahyar Sayyad and Vahid Namdari completed the rout as Iran guaranteed itself a knockout berth. It will top the Group 'C' if it avoids defeat against Costa Rica in the final game on Friday.

MATCH CENTRE

Germany made four changes, which included midfielders Elias Abouchabaka and Nicolas Kuhn both being benched. But none worked against an unchanged Iran. The European giant had nearly three-fourths of the possession until the interval but it never seemed like it. Iran aimed 11 shots at the goal in the first half alone and Sayyad could have had a hat-trick of his own.

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The Asians  knew exactly how to beat the German press. They pumped long balls routinely and to their glee Germany struggled all through and in the process probably won not a single second ball.

Goalie Christian Früchtl – not allowed to travel to India by Bayern Munich following an injury to Manuel Neuer – was sorely missed as Luca Plogmann turned in another weak performance.

In front of him there was a complete lack of communication between the defenders as the Iranians ran the channels unchallenged. Delfi's opener came when his shot sneaked between Plogmann's legs after a deflection.

His goal to double the lead was the result of a botched clearance off a set-piece. Sayyad finally got into the scoresheet with an outstanding header from a fine  Delfi cross. The fourth from Namdari was merely academic for the Germans by then were dead men walking.

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Mohammed Sharifi was a controlling presence in the midfield as Iran never ceded control of an area of the pitch so central to Germany's football. The latter's only chance was on the stroke of half time when John Yeboah sent a shot over from six yards out. Even if it had gone in, it would have done little to stop the rampaging Iranians.