As the FIFA under-17 World Cup enters the knockout stages, two Asian teams, playing against all odds, including war and sanctions, have shown their mighty skills — and hearts — on the big stage. Iran is comfortably perched on top of Group C having won all three games, putting in 10 goals and securing the maximum nine points. On Tuesday, it stunned Germany 4-0. In the final group engagement, it beat Costa Rica 3-0.
Iraq, on its part, knocked out Chile, the Latin American giants, from the tournament.
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Already, there are new heroes on the field: Iran’s midfielder Mohammad Shari, who says he has modelled himself on Germany’s Toni Kroos, and forwards Younes Del and Allahyar Sayyad. The spotlight is also on Mohammad Dawood of Iraq, with his tremendous speed and capacity to snatch goals. It may have been a disappointing run for hosts India, but the acrobatic skills of goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh were noticed. The final will be played in Kolkata on October 28.