MARGAO: A 10-man India lost 0-3 to a superior Iran to bow out of the AFC U-16 Championship India 2016 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, on Wednesday
Courtesy the result, India finished on one point from three outings while Iran topped Group A with 7 points from three matches to march into the quarterfinals.
Nicolai made two changes to the starting XI – Lalengmawia and Ninthoi replacing Aniket Jhadav and Aman Chetri respectively. But miss passes in the midfield didn’t help the cause. The trapping at times was bad and the physically superior Iranians managed to win most of the second balls.
Even as both Teams started on a cautious note, Iran were able to increase manpower in the final zone. The first goal came in the 23rd minute — a slippery Mohammad Ghaderi sneaking in between the two Central Defenders to blast it in after being fed by Amed Khodamoradi.
India’s sole chance in the first half came in the 17th minute. The rush of adrenalin forced Komal to go for glory after he had sped into the rival box. A back pass to Lalangmawia who was perfectly positioned to tap it in into a yawning goal could have given India the lead.
India suffered a jolt when they were down to 10-men — Boris gave marching orders after receiving his second yellow card in the 55th minute.
Iran scored from two penalties – Mohammad Sharifi converting a brace from the spot in the 82nd minute and then one in injury time (90+).
In another match, United Arab Emirates advanced to a quarter-final meeting with Group B winners Japan as they finished as Group A runners-up after Wednesday’s 3-1 win over Saudi Arabia at GMC Stadium.
Despite intense Saudi pressure throughout much of the tie, with the young Green Falcons needing a win to keep their hopes of a place in the last eight alive, UAE’s incisive counter-attacks proved the decisive factor in the tie.
Ahmad Fawzi netted on the break three minutes before half-time and after Nawaf Al Duraywish had levelled for Saudi Arabia on 65 minutes, they were hit by a second sucker punch by Mohmed Khamis on 79 minutes before Abdulla Al Naqbi confirmed the victory with his 81st minute strike.
