IRNA - Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand revealed that striker Sardar Azmoun�s advice and a steely determination not to let his country down were behind his remarkable penalty save in Sunday�s Round of 16 win over Oman at the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.

After Azmoun had been caught on camera suggesting which way Beiranvand should dive, the Persepolis custodian�s outstretched right-hand repelled Ahmed Al Mahaijri�s spot-kick in the opening moments of the game which saw Iran go through to the quarterfinals, the-afc.com reported.

Having already saved a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo at last year�s FIFA World Cup, Beiranvand�s heroics in the UAE only added to his burgeoning reputation, with the 26-year-old saying that his primary aim when facing Al Mahaijri was not to let his country down.

�I was only thinking about the people of Iran,� he declared.

�I really wanted to make them happy, because when you get to this stage, everyone watches the game. It�s just the one game, if you lose it, you�re eliminated.

�I knew people would be praying, and all I could do was focus. Thankfully, I was able to help my team, and make my people happy.

�Sardar told me [which way to go]. Although I had already made up my mind prior to that. I had decided and then Sardar told me, so I thought it had to mean something.�

The 2-0 victory saw Iran register a fourth successive clean sheet in the tournament.

�The penalty happened very early on, but thankfully it wasn�t converted so we continued without conceding. We�re a team that is guaranteed to win if we don�t concede,� he said.

�It�s one of the characteristics of Team Melli, don�t concede and we will go no and win the game, it has been like this so far.�

Team spirit

After seeing his side qualify for the quarterfinals, Iran head coach Carlos Queiroz was quick to praise the team spirit he believes played a major part in the success.

Alireza Jahanbakhsh�s smart finish and an Ashkan Dejagah spot-kick � both in the first half � helped secure Iran�s passage through to the last eight.

While grateful for his towering custodian�s contribution, Queiroz believes the unwavering unity which exists within the Iranian squad was, however, just as decisive a factor.

�It was a very good and competitive game, although I think it is the first time in my life that I have seen a team concede a penalty so early on. It was a great save from Beiranvand that kept us in the game,� declared the Portuguese tactician.

�When a player performs well [such as Alireza did], it gives you more confidence. The early save undoubtedly helped us maintain our clean sheet, but all the players played their part in the victory.

�Every player in the team knows their role and they know their responsibilities, they are always there at the right moment to support their teammates. Everyone plays for the team.�

Iran is now set to face China in the last eight, with Queiroz, who is expecting another tough test, calling on his charges to develop a far more ruthless streak in the final third.

�We know how much the China team has progressed, especially under [head coach] Marcello Lippi. It will be another difficult game, as will all the matches going forward.'

�We cannot waste chances like we did against Oman, we must play with a killer instinct and we need to put the ball in the net,� he said.

�In knockout football it is important to kill the game early, it gives you a tremendous advantage. The most important thing for the next game is to be calmer, to be smarter.�