Match № 6

The match № 6, group stage, second tournament day

I. R. IRAN – KAZAKHSTAN 2:1 (1:0)

January 6th, 2013, Saint-Petersburg, Peterburgsky SCC, 350 spectators

Referees: Artyom Chistyakov, Alexey Manin, Vladislav Lyashko

I. R. Iran: Azadani, Hashemii, Hoseim, Ezatopahi, Karimi (c), Bazadg (Meraban, 89), Mazlum, Ozede, Amini, Shabani (Said, 59), Ramani (Sobani, 75)

Head coach: Mehr Ali Dusti

Kazakhstan: Golubnichii, Dairov, Kuzmenko, Ismailov, Nurali (Kidirali, 82), Saparov (c), Gagippar (Balgabaev, 78), Sovetov (Gunusov, 23), Vomenko (Sahibov, 46), Sulei, Sagindik (Morozov, 73)

Head coach: Mihail Soloviev

Goals: Ezatopahi (5, pen.), Sulei (50), Said (81)

Yellow cards: Saparov (20), Sahibov (7), Karimi (69), Bazadg (70), Ezatopahi (76), Dairov (85)

Best players: Mihail Golubnichii, Mazlum Amir Muhamed

After match comments

Head coach of the team I. R. Iran Mehr Ali Dusti:

– The fact that the team of Kazakhstan is strong, has good preparation and discipline was not surprising for us. We knew about that. But we definitely wanted to win this match and to get 3 points. And we've successfully done it. But it's worth to say that Kazakhstan team has shown a good game and I believe that they will have luck next matches.

At this game we had some good chances to score but unfortunately we missed those opportunities. This is not a big problem, we came to the tournament, to learn how to correct our mistakes.

Tomy point of view Granatkin Memorial can be called a small World Cup for youth national teams. Matches of such a high level of organization will be good for the development of players.

Head coach of the team Kazakhstan Mihail Soloviev:

– It was quite a battle game. Iran was a little better, mostly because we conceded in physics. We were trying to play football in our own way, and sometimes we succeeded, the scored goal is a good evidence.

The biggest problem of our team is perhaps lack of experience. We had a few matches of such level, only several international games. It became the key moment in the first half. Too many faults were partly compensated by the strong desire to win.

I will open you a small secret: youth teams of Kazakhstan are now experiencing a great work on reforming the game scheme. We want to work out a unified system for the national youth teams. We are on the threshold of a long way, and mistakes are unavoidable.