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Abbas Chamanian   2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup   Mohammad Sharifi   Younes Delfi  

AFC - Islamic Republic of Iran are aiming to add another chapter to the history books when they take on reigning European champions Spain in the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 India on Sunday. 

Having made the quarter-finals for the first time in four attempts, Abbas Chamanian's players will be confident of beating Spain despite the European side being the clear favourites.

Iran have hardly put a foot wrong so far, advancing to the quarter-finals with a perfect record of four wins.

They cruised through the group stage with wins over Guinea (3-1), Germany (4-0) and Costa Rica (3-0) before producing a steely performance to overcome Mexico - semi-finalists in the last three editions of the FIFA U-17 World Cup - 2-1 in their last-16 clash.

Allahyar Sayyad (pictured above) is their leading scorer with three goals while Younes Delfi and Mohammad Sharifi have chipped in with two each, giving Iran several options upfront.

They will need them all against a Spanish side who have impressed after suffering a 2-1 defeat against Brazil in their opening Group D match. 

Spain bounced back to defeat Niger 4-0 and DPR Korea 2-0 before recording what was among the most impressive last-16 stage results - beating France 2-1.

Spain have gained in confidence, proving themselves to be a solid unit that plays a familiar possession-based game and with Iran flying high after their perfect run so far, the stage is set for a cracking tie at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kochi on Sunday. 

What you need to know

1. Spot-kick kings: Spain would be well advised not to let their tie with Iran go to penalties. The Iranians have converted all four of the spot-kicks they have been awarded at India 2017, with Mohammad Sharifi putting two away and Mohammad Ghobeishavi and Taha Shariati one apiece.

2. History favours La Rojita: Spain and Iran have never played each other before at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, though there is one record that will encourage the men in red. Going into Sunday's match-up, Spain won all eight of their games against Asian opposition.

The Quarter-finals 

Results 

Mali 2-1 Ghana

USA 1-4 England 

Sunday, October 22 

Spain v IR Iran

Germany v Brazil