Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Hamedan: Timor-Leste stunned Saudi Arabia with a dominant 2-1 win on Wednesday to maintain their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages of the ongoing AFC U-14 Championship.
Kim Shin-hwan‘s charges were beaten 4-1 by Iran in their opening Group A match on Monday, but they looked like a side transformed at the Hajbabaei Stadium as they dominated the entire match despite conceding a late goal in stoppage time.
Joao Pedro Da Silva Freitas headed home after 17 minutes, with a 34th minute goal from Armindo Vieira then putting Timor-Leste in command. Saudi Arabia reduced the deficit through substitute Qabur Abdulrahman, but the last gasp goal proved to be a mere consolation.
“They (Timor-Leste) surprised us with their speed and stamina and were the deserved winners,” Saudi Arabia coach Omar Adbulla conceded after the match.
“It’s not the name of the team, but the football that is played which determines the result of the match, and that happened today. It is always good to see a new country rising to the top. It’s good for Asian football.
“We are doing things properly back home as we are preparing them for the future and developing them as good players, so I am not very worried about the results,” he added.
After spurning a couple of good early opportunities, Timor-Leste broke the deadlock in the 17th minute after Orcelio Nobelito supplied a sublime ball from the left for Pedro Da Silva Freitas, who converted a point-blank header past Saudi goalkeeper Aluami Nahar Faisal.
Four minutes into the second half Vieira all but sealed the win with a brilliant solo effort after he penetrated the Saudi defence before slotting the ball home.
Saudi Arabia managed, albeit belatedly, to reduce the deficit in the fourth minute of injury time. Midfielder Alrefaie’s long ball finding striker Qabur who directed the ball past Timor-Leste custodian Frangenio Da Cruz.
“I am very happy with our performance, but at the same time I am worried as I am losing my players through injury regularly,” coach Kim said.
“I can see us going far in the tournament, but if you ask my opinion at the moment we have a 50-50 chance to progress,” he added.
Saudi Arabia’s second defeat of the tournament, following Monday’s 2-0 loss to DPR Korea, means they can no longer qualify for the semi-finals. Meanwhile, Timor-Leste will play DPR Korea on Friday with a place in the last four up for grabs.