Iraq, Saudi Arabia make quarterfinal grade

Bangalore, Nov 3 (UNI) Five-time winners Iraq and Saudi Arabia stormed into the quarterfinals with easy wins in their last league matches in the Bangalore leg of the AFC Asian Youth Football Championship here today.

Iraq, who took time to settle down, thrashed Malaysia 3-0 after putting up a patchy performance in the first half that went goalless, while Saudi Arabia dominated throughout to blank Vietnam 2-0, in two Group D matches.

Iraq topped the group with better goal difference, followed by Saudi Arabia, while Vietnam and Malaysia made the exit.

In the quarterfinals to be played on November six, Japan would clash with twice title winners Saudi Arabia and North Korea would cross swords with Iraq. The other two quarterfinals would be held in Kolkata.

Mercurial Mansor Mohammed struck the first goal for Iraq. Aqeel Hameed, who tormented the rivals in the company of Mansor, scored the second goal in the 81st minute and substitute Ala Khshen provided the cushion, scoring the third goal two minutes later.

Saudi Arabia held the upper hand right from the beginning. Ali Jufaln Bishi struck the first goal, converting a penalty kick in the 14th minute, awarded by Referee Junjle Huang of China after Vietnam defender Vhquang obstructed Sahlawi Mohammed. The winners doubled the lead at the fag end of the second half when defender Mohammed Bishi scored through a solo effort.

Iraq, who had held Saudi Arabia to a draw and beat Vietnam convincingly, were off colour in the first half and even allowed Malaysia to make inroads into its citadel. However, the defence stood firm. After the break and some pep talk by coach Abd Alkany Abod, the Iraqi boys played a much better game to emerge easy winners.

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