Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dushanbe: Bahrain and Iraq were the Group F sides left rejoicing after they beat the Maldives 4-0 and Tajikistan 2-0 respectively in their AFC U-19 Championship 2016 qualifying opening games at Republican Central Stadium on Friday.
Mohamed Jasim Mohamed Ali Abdulla Marhoon registered a double (25’, 81’) for the Bahrainis, with forward Talal Ali Al Naar (26’) and substitute Sayed Ahmed Mohamed (89’) contributing a goal apiece to help Abdulaziz Abdo Omar’s side finish matchday one on top of the group while the Maldives are rooted to the foot of the table.
Meanwhile, Iraq went ahead as early as the third minute thanks to a strike from Alaa Abbas Abdulnabi, before Jasim Mohammed Oglah doubled his sdie's lead on 79 minutes to help Iraq claim second spot. Tajikistan occupy third.
Ten group winners and five best second-placed teams will qualify for the finals while hosts Bahrain received an automatic qualification (total 16 teams).
If Bahrain finish top of their qualifying group or one of the five second best-placed teams, the next (6th) second-placed team will qualify for the final competition.