Iran hold title holders Qatar

Manama : Defending champions Qatar were denied victory last night in their title defence at the ongoing AFC U-19 Football Championship at the National Stadium in Riffa as ten-man Iran secured a 1-1 draw. Abolfazl Razzaqhpour’s 58th minute strike in their opening Group C tie made amends after earlier scoring an own goal to give Qatar the lead on 38 minutes.

Four-time winner Iran were one man down after having Mohammad Soltanimehr red carded in the 48th minute.

In the same group, another title contender Japan and six-time runner up eased past Yemen 3-0 thanks to goals by Koki Ogawa (46th minute), Tomoki Iwata (79th) and substitute Hara Teruki (88th) were on target in Japan’s well-deserved victory following a goalless first half.

In Group B action, Vietnam beat three-time winner North Korea 2-1 thanks to goals by Ha Duc Chinh (70th) and Doan Van Hau (89th) and substitute Ryang Hyon Ju netted a consolation in stoppage time.

In the other match, five-time winners Iraq edged out one-time winner UAE 1-0 thanks to a solitary goal by Waleed Kareem in the 26th minute.

Today Group D completes the first round matches when Uzbekistan take on Tajikistan at 4.30pm.