The Hindu : Sport / Football : Saudi Arabia wins

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Thursday, Nov 02, 2006
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Saudi Arabia wins

Principal Correspondent

BANGALORE: Two goals, both from dead ball situations ensured Saudi Arabia its first quota of full points against a disappointing Malaysia in a Group D encounter of the AFC Youth Championship at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium here on Karnataka Day. The winner led 1-0 at the break.

The Saudis, having dropped two points with a draw against Iraq, needed a win to stay in contention and the intentions were quite clear right from the start. There was purpose and pluck in the Saudi sorties early on. It was one such move that resulted in a free kick from 35 yards out in the 14th minute, and Mohammed Al Sahlawi crashed his shot into the far corner of the net with Abdul Hadi Abdul Hamid under the Malaysian goal clueless.

Saudi Arabia increased the lead in the second half when Ali Ataif curled his kick from 40 yards out, past the wall into the near post. Saudi was reduced to 10 men when substitute Ahmed Alfraidi was given marching orders for a blatant foul on Abdul Manaf Mamat in the 77th minute but that had no bearing on the match.

Japan drubs Tajikistan

Japan struck twice in each half to register its second win, a 4-0 verdict against Tajikistan, in group C and ensured itself a quarterfinal berth.

The Japanese once again lacked finesse but got the desired result. After DPR Korea's big win the Japanese too needed an impressive goal difference and this it did with a degree of ease with the tall Yasuhito Morishima netting a brace in the first half itself. Yosuke Kashiwagi (57th) and Masato Morishige (68th) completed the tally.

With its second defeat, Tajikistan is out of contention. DPR Korea and Iran with one win each joins Japan in the round of eight.

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