Iran U-23 football coach hails 'good test' in Qatar friendly

TEHRAN -- Iran U-23 national football team head coach Hamid Estili says his side have learned from Sunday's 2-2 draw against Qatar, in which Iran threw away a two-goal lead.

"It was a good test and the Qatar match gave us the chance to evaluate our team for the 2020 AFC U-23 Championship," Estili said.

"The match against Qatar was very important because we wanted to practise attacking and defensive football," he added.

The match between Iran and Qatar was held in Doha ahead of the upcoming 2020 AFC U-23 Championship, where Iran has been drawn in Group C along with China, South Korea and defending champions Uzbekistan.

The competition will be held in Thailand from January 8 to 26.