Tasnim - Iran coach Mohammad Khakpour said that he is responsible for his team’s 3-0 defeat against Japan in the AFC U-23 Championship.

“I am responsible for the defeat against Japan. There is no excuse but we were vert exhausted after a match against China,” Khakpour said.

“I apologize to all the Iranian people because it was my fault."

"We were the better team in the regular time. We hit the bar twice and our players didn’t take advantage of their chances,” former Iran defender said.

“I am happy to work with the players who are Iran’s future,” Khakpour added.