Win puts pressure on Dempo, says Saad

Safa coach Samir Saad said the pressure in now on Dempo following their 1-0 win in the first leg of their AFC Cup semi-final clash.

BEIRUT – Safa coach Samir Saad believes the pressure is now on Dempo after seeing his side take a one-goal advantage from the first leg of their AFC Cup semi-final in Beirut on Tuesday evening.

Hamze Aboud scored the only goal of the game in the final minute of play as the well-organised Indian side frustrated the Lebanese before Aboud’s last-gasp strike handed Safa a 1-0 win.

"We achieved the win at the end but it's better late than never," said Saad. "We controlled the game right from the beginning but we couldn't score until we made it in the last minute.

"We had the upper hand but the players were slow and the midfield was not good. However, things were good at the end as we scored a goal which will be good for us in the second leg.

"After this win, the pressure will be on Dempo who must win the game while we have two chances. But we will go for another win as it is dangerous to play for a draw."

Dempo coach Armando Colaco felt his side were unfortunate to lose in the last minute as they were hoping to earn a draw ahead of the return in Hyderabad in two weeks’ time.

"We had a good game today as we closed the back and were hoping to have some chances from the quick counter attacks," said Colaco.

"However, Safa got their goal in the last minute and that was devastating.

"We were hoping to get a draw from the game which could have been good for us before the second leg. But we couldn't score from the chances that we had.

"The second leg match will be hard for both sides as the chances are still open. It will be an open game and we will adapt an attacking method because we have nothing to lose."

Source:The AFC.com

Safa 1-0 Dempo: Safa leave it late

Safa (in blue) needed a last minute goal to defeat Dempo 1-0 at home in the first leg of their AFC Cup semi-final clash. (AFP)

BEIRUT – Hamze Aboud scored a last minute goal to give Lebanon’s Safa a 1-0 win against Dempo SC in the first leg match of this year's AFC Cup semi-finals at Beirut Sports City Stadium on Tuesday.

Safa scored the only goal of the game after a corner from the left was cleared by the Indian side’s defence before Abboud controlled the ball on his chest and fired a powerful shot into the net with the help of the crossbar.

The victory gives the Lebanese side a narrow advantage before the second leg of the semi-final, which will be played in Hyderabad’s Gachibowli Stadium on October 21.

Safa were the better side in the opening exchanges although they were not able to create any notable opportunities until the 14th minute, when Ali Al Saadi sent his free kick over the crossbar.

One minute later, Safa went close when striker Rony Azar, who scored a brace in the previous match against Perak, saw his goal-bound effort from inside the area saved by Dempo goalkeeper Sathiesh Kumar.

The best chance in the first half came on the half-hour mark when Mohamad Korhani’s free kick from the right was saved as Kumar dived to his right.

Safa had another chance in the third minute of first half stoppage time when Moroccan midfielder Hamid Tarmina shot over the crossbar, leaving the teams scores at the half-time break.

The hosts continued their pressure in the second half as their coach Samir Saad brought in striker Mohammad Kassas but Safa were unable to create many clear-cut chances as Dempo spent most of the second half sitting in their own penalty area.

As full time approached, Safa increased their pressure and they should have scored six minutes from time when Hamid Tarmina met a cross from the right with a header but the ball went just over the crossbar.

However, Safa were rewarded in the final minute when Aboud handed his side the only goal of the game – and an advantage to defend in the second leg in two weeks’ time – with a fine strike that gave Kumar little chance.

Source:The AFC.com

Victory or bust for Bahrain

Bahrain must defeat hosts Uzbekistan if they are to advance to the last eight.

TASHKENT - Bahrain coach Hosni Zouaoui knows his side can settle for nothing less than victory when they take on AFC U-16 Championship hosts Uzbekistan in their last Group A match at Pakhtakor stadium on Wednesday.

Both sides have three points after their first two games with the hosts holding second place by virtue of a better goal-difference, meaning Zouaoui’s team need to push for the win if they are to join group leaders Iran in the knockout phase of the competition.

"Only a win will do for us on Wednesday as a draw will give second place to Uzbekistan on goal-difference," said Zouaoui. "The match will be hard for both sides because it will be a decisive game.

"We have watched Uzbekistan’s first two matches and they have a strong attack especially number 8 (Akramjon Bahritdinov). But we will try to take advantage of their mistakes at the back and get a win."

Uzbekistan coach Robert Gay said that he will try to make amends for the mistakes they made in their 2-1 defeat against Iran.

"We still have a chance to go through and our game against Bahrain is decisive," said Gay. "We must correct the mistakes that we made against Iran as we cannot afford to lose.

"Our scoring abilities were hampered in the previous match and we should work on this side while we must strengthen our defence. We will try to do our best to get the three points."

Iran coach Ali Doustimehr, meanwhile, believes the group phase of the competition has served as perfect preparation for his team when they go into the quarter-finals later the week.

The Iranians have earned a spot in the last eight thanks to wins over Uzbekistan and Bahrain and will meet Singapore in their final group game.

"All the matches that we play in the group stage only prepare us for the next tough stage," said Doustimehr. "There could be some changes against Singapore but it only depends on the status of the players.

"We are taking the game against Singapore as preparatory for the next stage and to be honest it doesn't matter who we play against, whether it’s Syria or Korea Republic because if we want to qualify for the World Cup we must defeat all the teams that we meet."

Singapore coach Kageyama Masanaga suggested he may field the same line-up for the clash with Iran despite seeing his side lose their two previous matches.

"There might be no changes against Iran as we will only give the chance for the players who are ready to play," he said.

"The players must fight to deserve the chance to play because it will not be right if I just gave the chance for nothing.

"Although we have lost our chance to go through, we will play with our best players as I will only select the best."

Source:The AFC.com

Different approach from top two

Korea Republic coach Lee Kwang-jong is unlikely to take his foot of the gas against Syria even though the East Asians are through to the last eight.

TASHKENT – Korea Republic and Syria will adopt different approaches for Wednesday’s Group B decider safe in the knowledge they have already secured places in the quarter-finals of the AFC U-16 Championship.

Korea coach Lee Kwang-jong insists his side will look to continue their impressive start to the tournament and aim to top Group B with a 100% record.

Following their 5-2 opening day win over India, Korea demolished Indonesia 9-0 to secure a place in the last eight, but Lee is cautious about taking the foot off the gas with a testing quarter-final ahead.

“Looking at the other group there is the possibility that Iran and Uzbekistan will go through, however, our objective is to do well and be consistent,” said Lee.

“We want to win regardless of who we will meet, but if we win, it could benefit us as we could play a weaker team.”

Opposite number Kifork Mardakyan has already revealed he plans to rest several players after his side delivered a much-improved performance to down India 3-0 to join Korea in the last eight.

“We will look to finish top, but we might have to face Iran or Uzbekistan in the quarter-finals and we are looking forward to that more than the game against Korea,” said Mardakyan.

“But against Korea you will see more football as it is very difficult when teams play with nine players behind the ball.”

At MHSK Stadium, India and Indonesia will look to pick up their first points as they battle for third place.

“We have lost twice, that is no problem, but in the last game we will try to win,” said Indonesia coach Mundari Karya.

“Two matches in three days is very hard. We will see who can still perform; maybe we will use the fresh players who have not played yet.”

Despite his side’s elimination, technical director Colm Toal has been pleased with India’s progress which has seen them record encouraging results in the lead up to the championships in Germany, Saudi Arabia, USA and England

“We would like to win, but whether we finish third or bottom, it doesn’t matter, what matters is we have been together for 15 months and seen progress,” he said.

“We may not have seen as much progress as we would have liked in the last two matches, but you have to judge it on where we have come from, not where we are.”

Source:The AFC.com

Kika delights in clinical display

Head coach Kika was delighted with Saudi Arabia's display in the 4-0 win over Turkmenistan that kept them in the hunt for a place in the quarter-finals.

TASHKENT – Joaquim “Kika” Filho was delighted as Saudi Arabia delivered a much-improved clinical display to down Turkmenistan 4-0 on Tuesday and remain in the hunt for an AFC U-16 Championship quarter-final berth.

Saudi Arabia were blown away in their opening defeat by Australia but a brace from Ahmed Aloufi and goals from Yasir Al Shanrani and Mohammed Al Asiri secured the three points to hand Kika’s side the edge heading into Thursday’s decider against China.

“Our performance improved from the first match against Australia. Turkmenistan did not have the same amount of stamina as they did in the first match and we also committed fewer mistakes and took advantage of the chances we created,” Kika said.

“Some of the players were more relaxed than they were in the first game. In the first game we played against Australia who are a tough team and one of the favourites to win the tournament.”

Saudi Arabia can join Australia in the last eight with a draw against China as they hold the crucial advantage in terms of goal difference, but Kika is well aware of the perils his side face if they set out to secure just the one point they need.

“We are looking for a win in the last match as we need the three points to make our qualification secure,” he said.

“But if the game is scoreless, we will try and keep it that way as that is also good for us.”

Defender Motaz Hawsawi is a doubt for Thursday’s game after being taken to hospital with a knee injury, but Kika insists Abdullah Madu will comfortably step into the role as his did against Turkmenistan.

“He will be a big loss, but the player who came on for him is capable of providing cover,” added Kika.

Kika refused to reveal if Al Asiri will get the nod against China after scoring three minutes after coming on as a half-time substitute against Turkmenistan.

Meanwhile, Turkmenistan coach Amanklych Kochumov was unconcerned by his side’s second defeat of the tournament, insisting the experience for players at this level far outweighs results.

”The results are not important in a competition like this, the experience is much more important for players at this age,” he said.

“We made a lot of mistakes, the defenders and the goalkeeper all made mistakes, but in this competition it is important for the players to learn.”

Source:The AFC.com

KSA 4-0 TKM: Saudis sweep aside Turkmen

Saudi players celebrate finding the net during their AFC U-16 Championship Group C Clash with Turkmenistan.

TASHKENT – Ahmed Aloufi scored twice as Saudi Arabia recorded a 4-0 win over Turkmenistan on Tuesday to set up a showdown with China for the final AFC U-16 Championship quarter-final berth from Group C.

Aloufi scored in either half, while Yasir Al Shanrani and Mohammed Al Asiri also netted to help Saudi Arabia recover from their defeat by Australia and take the edge into Thursday’s meeting with China, who earlier lost 2-1 to the Joeys.

With Australia already assured of a place in the last eight as group winners ahead of their meeting with eliminated Turkmenistan, Saudi Arabia only need a draw against China to advance as they hold the advantage in terms of goal difference with the sides level on three points.

Following a slow start, a piece of individual brilliance from Aloufi brought the contest to life as the striker picked the ball up 30 yards from goal, beat three challenges before breaking into the area and firing low across Kurbanmurad Karayev in the Turkmenistan goal to open the scoring after 22 minutes.

Aloufi looked to double the lead three minutes later as he easily out-muscled his marker just outside the area and sent a dipping strike narrowly wide of the upright with Karayev scampering across the face of his goal.

Saudi Arabia did double their advantage 10 minutes later, however, when Karayev allowed Al Shanrani’s well-struck low shot from the edge of the area squirm under his body.

Abdullah Otayf fired wide and Nawaf Alghamdi shot straight at Karayev before the break as Saudi Arabia looked to add to their advantage before the Turkmenistan goalkeeper produced a point blank save from Yousef Al Khamis in first half stoppage time.

Saudi Arabia added a third just three minutes after the break as half-time substitute Al Asiri chased through a long ball forward, and after edging ahead of two Turkmenistan defenders, calmly lifted the ball over the advancing Karayev.

Aloufi was gifted a second seven minutes later as he ran onto Musab Alotaibi’s low cross at the far post before seeing his shot, which was straight at Karayev, bundled into the net by Turkmenistan custodian.

Turkmenistan captain Vahyt Orazsahedov had his side’s first real threat on goal after 66 minutes as he sent a 25-yard effort wide of the Saudi upright before firing over five minutes later following a solo run.

Source:The AFC.com

JPN 6-1 UAE: Hat-trick hero impresses Ikeuchi

Head coach Yutaka Ikeuchi was impressed by the performance of hat-trick hero Takumi Miyayoshi in Japan's 6-1 hammering of the UAE.

TASHKENT – Coach Yutaka Ikeuchi lauded the performance of hat-trick hero Takumi Miyayoshi after the striker helped Japan book their place in the last eight of the AFC Under-16 Championship with a convincing 6-1 win over UAE at MHSK stadium.

Miyayoshi scored the first three goals in Tuesday’s Group D encounter before Tatsuya Uchida and Kenyu Sugimoto, who notched a double, completed the scoring for Japan. UAE’s consolation goal came courtesy of Fahad Salim’s spot-kick.

Ikeuchi, however, was full of praise for Miyayoshi’s display.

"Miyayoshi scored wonderful goals today and he had a nice game," he said.

"Miyayoshi made his debut earlier this year in the J.League and that's why he scored such wonderful goals.

"He was on target in the previous match after coming on as a sub so I decided to give him a chance in order to see his performance and he showed his true talent in the game.”

Ikeuchi also had words of encouragement for midfielder Takashi Usami who was the architect behind four of Japan's six goals and produced an impressive performance.

"Usami had a wonderful game as well today," added Ikeuchi.

"He is a skillful player and he has a lot of ability and we tried to use his talent, which has improved recently having trained with a J.League team."

UAE assistant coach Salem Al Arfi admitted his side were unable to cope with the powerful attacking style of Japan but also lamented the chances spurned by his own charges at crucial moments during the game.

"Japan are a very strong team and they play great football," said Al Arfi.

"They have a strong and coherent squad as they have played together for more than three or four years.

"There is no doubt that the defeat is heavy but we had some chances when we were 2-0 behind and things could have been different if our striker scored from these chances," he added.

"We were optimistic that we could put in a good performance before the game but we had some problems as one of the players couldn't play due to the fact he was ineligible while we had two injured players who also missed the game."

Source:The AFC.com

JPN 6-1 UAE: Rampant Japan hit UAE for six

UAE defender Ahmed Al Shanifi (left) tussles with Japan midfielder Takashi Usami in their AFC U-16 Championship clash.

TASHKENT – Striker Takumi Miyayoshi scored a hat-trick to steer Japan to a comprehensive 6-1 win over UAE at MHSK stadium on Tuesday and book their place in the quarter-finals of the AFC Under-16 Championship.

Miyayoshi put his side in front with seven minutes gone in the Group D encounter before adding a second nine minutes later before completing his treble shortly before the hour mark.

Tatsuya Uchida netted the fourth goal and Kenyu Sugimoto then grabbed a brace for Japan either side of a consolation effort for UAE through Fahad Salim’s penalty with 15 minutes remaining.

Miyayoshi was handed a start after coming on as a substitute and finding the back of the net in Japan’s first game, a 4-0 victory over Malaysia, and immediately grasped the opportunity afforded him with both hands.

The striker collected a neat pass from Takashi Usami and dispatched a shot into the far corner beyond UAE goalkeeper Eesa Abbas to give Japan an early lead.

They nearly doubled their advantage four minutes later when Usami cut into the box from the left flank but Abbas saved his powerful strike.

However, it was 2-0 on 16 minutes as a header inside the area fell into Miyayoshi’s path and he fired a low shot past the helpless Abbas.

The Japanese maintained the pressure and had another chance after 26 minutes but Usami shot straight at the keeper and Yuma Hiroki volleyed over the bar five minutes later.

A third goal seemed inevitable with half-time approaching, Koji Takano firing over the bar before seeing another effort tipped over by Abbas, but UAE managed to cling on until the break.

Indeed they could have pulled a goal back shortly after the re-start as Abdulla Mohammad closed in on goal and tried to lob the ball over advancing Japanese goalkeeper Koki Matsuzawa but instead fired straight at the custodian.

However, Japan did notch a third in the 57th minute as Miyayoshi duly completed his hat-trick.

Usami’s fierce strike from the right was parried by Abbas but Miyayoshi was on hand to put the ball into the net.

A three goal lead became four on the hour mark. Usami’s free kick from the left was headed against his own bar by UAE defender Ahmed Abdelaziz and Uchida scored from close range at the second attempt.

Japan’s fifth came after 71 minutes as Yuki Kobayashi’s corner from the left was headed home by Kenyu Sugimoto at the near post.

UAE pulled a goal back four minutes later when Sugimoto handled inside the area and Salem made no mistake from the spot.

However, Japan had the final say two minutes from time as Sugimoto scored his second when he headed home Usami’s cross from the right.

Source:The AFC.com

AUS 2-1 CHN: Crook counts cost of victory

Australia coach Martyn Crook is concerned about the number of players who picked up injuries in their bruising encounter with China.

TASHKENT – Coach Martyn Crook was counting the cost of Australia’s 2-1 victory over China on Tuesday at the AFC U-16 Championship which secured a place in the quarter-finals but saw key players suffering injuries.

Kamal Ibrahim struck a superb 50th minute winner after Jared Lum’s early spot kick had been cancelled out by Jin Jingdao’s penalty just before the break.

But Lum was withdrawn in the first half through illness, striker Eli Babalj left at half-time with an ankle injury and influential captain Brendan Hamill was stretchered off with 17 minutes remaining after suffering a recurrence of an ankle ligament injury.

Both Babalj and Hamill left the stadium on crutches and are concerns for Thursday’s final Group C game against Turkmenistan and Sunday’s quarter-final.

“The captain is the biggest concern as he is very serious and he is an important player. Eli has an ankle injury and we are not sure of the extent of that and Jared had to come off through illness. But it’s a tournament and we have a good squad,” said Crook.

“Brendan has been recovering from ligament damage to his ankle for the last five weeks and we got him right. He did have a little knock before the tournament and scared us a little bit, but now it looks like it has gone big time.

“It would be a huge loss for us as he is a great leader, a great player. I hope he is OK, but it doesn’t look too good.”

Crook conceded his side produced a below-par first half display and was pleased to come through the contest with an improved second half performance despite not reaching the levels as seen in the 3-1 win over Saudi Arabia.

“We are delighted to come through with three points against a quality opposition, it was a battle,” he added. “Our goal was to get through to the quarter-finals and we have done that so that is excellent.”

China coach Zhang Ning was left to rue his side’s disappointing start to the second half.

“I think we played better in the first half than in the second as we conceded a goal very early and that created a lot of pressure and made the players nervous. But they are young and that happens,” he said.

“We also need to improve physically, be stronger and the players need to learn how to use their body better.”

Source:The AFC.com

AUS 2-1 CHN: Joeys leap into last eight

Joeys skipper Brendan Hamill clears the danger during Australia's 2-1 win over China.

TASHKENT – Kamal Ibrahim’s second-half strike ensured Australia maintained their perfect record at the AFC U-16 Championship after edging out China 2-1 in Group C on Tuesday.

First-half penalties from Australia’s Jared Lum and China’s Jin Jingdao left the tight contest at Pakhtakor Stadium, level at half-time but Ibrahim struck five minutes after the break to secure all three points for Martyn Crook’s Joeys, handing China their first defeat ahead of the final round of group games on Thursday.

Stephen Domenici, who scored twice in the win over Saudi Arabia, hooked a volley wide after eight minutes as Australia edged the opening exchanges with China restricted to several long-range efforts.

Eight minutes later Australia opened the scoring as Nikola Stanojevic was bundled over on the edge of the area by a clumsy challenge from Zheng Kaimu as he cut in from the left and Lum converted the resulting spot kick.

China were almost handed an equaliser four minutes later as a long ball forward caused hesitation between goalkeeper Robert Kolak and defender Brendan Hamill, but Jiang Xiaochen nudged his effort wide after beating goalkeeper and defender to the ball.

Four minutes before the break China were unlucky not to equalise as Shi Ke’s 30-yard pilldriver had Kolak well beaten but rattled the crossbar.

But in first-half stoppage time China were back on level terms as Jin converted from the spot after being brought down by Kolak as he attempted to round the Australia goalkeeper following Jiang’s defence-splitting through ball.

Kolak escaped punishment as Hamill had recovered to track back and Jin was heading away from goal as he attempted to evade Kolak’s outstretched arms.

But five minutes after the break Australia regained the lead as Ibrahim cut in from the right and had time and space on the edge of the area to drill his shot past the despairing dive of Zhang Zhengqiang and just inside his left hand post.

China came close to an equaliser five minutes after the hour mark as Jiang’s close range flicked front post effort looked to have evaded Kolak and was heading for the opposite corner, but the Australia goalkeeper hung on with Liu Shangkun looking to pounce on the loose ball.

Zhang Ning’s China pressed in the closing stages, but failed to create a clear cut chance as the Australia defence stood firm despite the loss of captain Hamill for the final 20 minutes.

Sorce:The AFC.com

MYS 1-1 YEM: Al Nash: We paid penalty for strange decision

Yemen coach Sami Al Nash couldn't believe the decision to award Malaysia a stoppage-time penalty.

TASHKENT – Yemen coach Sami Al Nash felt robbed after a bizarre late penalty saw his side held to a 1-1 draw by Malaysia in an AFC U-16 Championship Group D match at MHSK Stadium on Tuesday.

Yemen took the lead with a penalty by Mohammed Al Shamsi after nine minutes and appeared set to hang on for the three points despite the dismissal of defender Mohammed Boqshan midway through the second half.

But the Malaysians were awarded a penalty deep into stoppage time when defender Ahmed Al Khamri picked up the ball inside his penalty area and Mohamad Fandi successfully converted from the spot to give his side a very fortunate point.

"It was an unfair result as Malaysia didn't deserve to get a point from the game," said Al Nash at the post-match press conference.

"We should have got a win today and the referee made a strange decision.

"There was a whistle from the stands and that's why all the players stopped the game including the Malaysian striker who was chasing after the ball.

"The referee should have given a drop ball instead of awarding a penalty to Malaysia.

"It was a game full of excitement though as Malaysia gave us a tough battle and they put up a good performance.

"They have a good side and shouldn't have lost their first match."

Malaysia coach Lim Kim Chon agreed that his team got a lucky break at the end although he felt they should have equalised long before the dramatic closing minutes.

"Lady Luck was on our side tonight although we put on a good performance in the second half," said Lim.

"We wasted a lot of chances to score and we should have equalised before we were awarded the penalty.

"The game was dramatic because what we asked the players to do didn't happen while things that we didn't tell them happened but things were good at the end with the draw.

"We knew that Yemen would be aggressive and they took the lead in the first half after we gave away an unnecessary penalty. But the game changed in our favour when their defender was sent off.

"Our boys gave an excellent performance and their confidence increased especially after Yemen's number nine (Mohammed Al Shamsi) was replaced as he was a danger man for them throughout the game."

Source:The AFC.com