Tasnim - Iran powered its way into the AFC U-16 Championship 2018 Malaysia after a 2-1 win over 10-man Afghanistan in a Group C tie at the Enghelab Stadium on Friday.
Iran went ahead in the 26th minute through Mahdi Seyedi.
Amir Jafari added the second for Iran in the 69th minute as Afghanistan struggled to find a breakthrough.
Afghanistan’s Esmatullah Kazimi was sent off in the 85th minute for a second yellow card.
Mohammad Amin Nezami put a goal back for Afghanistan from the penalty spot in stoppage time.
The win means Iran – who is on nine points - is assured of top spot irrespective of what happens in its final match against Kyrgyz Republic on Sunday as only Afghanistan can achieve nine points, the-AFC.com wrote.
The 2018 AFC U-16 Championship will take place in Malaysia between 20 September and 7 October 2018.
A total of 16 teams will play in the tournament.