Iran�s national youth team has trounced Uzbekistan 2-0 and progressed to the semifinals of 2016 AFC U-19 Championship in Bahrain, giving them access to next year�s World Cup.

Iran�s Reza Jafari�s two goals against Uzbekistan on Monday booked his team a place in the semifinals of the tourney for the first time since 2001.

The championship acts as the AFC qualifier for the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup in South Korea, with the top four teams qualifying.

Jafari's opener 13 minutes into the match and his second in the 46th minutes were thanks to resolute performance of the Iranian defensive line, that mainly restricted Uzbekistan to a succession of attempts from outside the area which made the game really easy for Iran's goalkeeper Shahab Adeli.

Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, and Japan have also gained access to the semifinals and secured their way to next year�s FIFA U-20 World Cup in Korea Republic.

By Press TV