Iran’s national university football team has ended its campaign at the third edition of Asian University Football Championship in South Korea, and finished as the vice champion of the sports event following a narrow defeat from Japan in the final showdown.

On Wednesday, the Iranian squad lost to the East Asian side 2-3 at the conclusion of the title clash staged at the Main Sports Complex in South Korea’s northeastern city of Taebaek, National University Sports Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran website reported.

The Japanese footballers got off to a strong and promising start, and took the lead by scoring the first goal in the 8th minute.

Iranians then came from behind and took the game to the wire to net the equalizer. Mohammad Osuni eventually managed to tie the game after nineteen minutes into the first half.

The Japanese team, however, could regain the lead in the 27th minute, and placed the ball at the back of Iran’s net to make it 2-1.

Ali Fatemi nailed Iran's second goal and leveled the score at 2-2 five minutes before the referee blew his whistle and signaled the end of the first period.

In the second half, Japan scored the third and winning goal only one minute before the regulation time was to draw to a close.



The third edition of Asian University Football Championship began in Taebaek on September 1 and concluded on September 7.

Iran’s national university football team was put in Group A of the preliminary stage of the sports event, and joined Malaysia and South Korea B squads.

South Korea A, Hong Kong and South Korea C formed Group B in the tournament.

China was pitted against Myanmar and Oman in Group C. Japan A, Chinese Taipei and Japan B were also drawn in Group D.

By Press TV