BAMBOLIM: Rasul Yuldoshov netted a hat-trick as Uzbekistan kicked off their AFC U-16 Championship India 2016 campaign with a highly entertaining 5-3 victory over Thailand in their Group D opener on Saturday at GMC Stadium while DPR Korea beat Yemen 2-0 in the first match.
Jinnawat Russamee opened the scoring in the second minute before Abubakir Muyidnov and Rasul Yuldoshov replied from the penalty spot to put Uzbekistan 2-1 up at the break.
Yuldoshov added his second to extend the lead before the hour-mark but Arnon Prasongporn reduced the deficit immediately after. With the scoreline at 3-2, the game was set for a tense finish until first Mardon Abdullaev struck on 84 minutes and then Yuldoshov completed his treble five minutes later.
Arnon did get his second in stoppage time but it was Uzbekistan who joined DPR Korea at the top of the Group D table after the East Asians earlier defeated Yemen 2-0 at GMC Stadium.
Kim Pom-hyok’s double helped get defending champions DPR Korea off to a winning start in the tournament.
Neither side was able to break the deadlock in a hard-fought opening 45 minutes at GMC Stadium, but the holders took control after the interval and opened the scoring on the hour through captain Kim Pom-hyok.
The influential skipper then fired in a fine free-kick from distance to double his side’s tally, before Yemen substitute Muneef Jassar missed from the spot as DPR Korea saw out a comfortable victory.
Kim Pom-hyok then could have scored his hat-trick in the final five minutes but his header from Yun’s corner was pushed out by Al Suhairi.
