Iraq quickly get on course for Finals
Doha: Iraq opened their campaign in the AFC U-19 Championship 2018 Qualifiers with 2-0 victory against Lebanon at Grand Hamad Stadium in Doha on Saturday.
Ibrahim Bayesh and Ali Raad Khadim found the target for the winners.
Iraq dominated the ball possession and created plenty of chances, but Lebanon, to their credit, put up a battling display.
Hayder Hussein had a chance as early as the third minute to put Iraq ahead, but his left-footed shot from just outside the area missed the target by a whisker.
Hussein then met Ahmed Farhan’s cross from the right with an acrobatic volley in the 10th minute, but Lebanon goalkeeper Antoine Al Douaihy palmed it away for a corner.
Five minutes later, Iraq had another chance when Mohammed Dawood rose above the defence to connect a free-kick, however, he sent it sailing over the bar.
Iraq took the lead in the 25th minute through their striker Bayesh.
Farhan, who had a lively game, made a surging run on the right and crossed the ball into the area where Bayesh met it with a low shot which went in despite Al Douaihy getting a hand to it.
Though Iraq continued to enjoy more ball possession and make chances, they found it hard to breach Lebanon's defence after that in the first half.
The game continued in the same pattern in the second half as well, with Iraq on the offensive and Lebanon battling in defence.
Dawood got a great chance to double his and his team's tally in the 76th minute, but his powerful shot was straight at Al Douaihy.
Iraq finally scored their second goal and made the game safe in the 88th minute, when Ali Raad connected substitute Mohammed Ridha’s cross with a fine glancing header.
Lebanon take on Qatar in their next match on Monday while Iraq play the hosts in the final match of the group on Wednesday.
Jalal Radwan: Lebanon coach
"We lost the match because of small things, individual mistakes. Our performance was not good. (The next match against Qatar) is going to be difficult because we won't get enough rest. Hopefully it will not affect us negatively. All the Qatar teams have the same strategy and we know how they play. We have nothing to lose. We will play an open game against Qatar."
Qahtan Chitheer Darin: Iraq coach
"The first match is always difficult. Lebanon have good defence but we scored two goals. Our team was exhausted because we are coming after playing at the World Cup in India. It was a good result. Different calculations for the Qatar match. It’a going to be a totally different game because Qatar are very strong and give importance to age group teams. If Lebanon win, things will be difficult for all teams. Qatar are our number one contenders in this group."
Photos: AFC
Source: the-afc.com
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