Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Lahore: The UAE set up an AFC U-16 Championship 2014 qualifying decider against Iran when they defeated Sri Lanka 6-0 on Friday to record their second Group E victory with one round of matches remaining.
The UAE were gifted the opportunity to take an early lead at the Punjab Stadium when Sri Lanka conceded a second-minute penalty and after five minutes midfielder Eissa Al Otaiba successfully converted the resultant spot-kick Abdulla Yadoo doubled the Emiratis’ advantage.
An Ahmed Al Naqbi hat-trick (23rd, 35th and 59th) made it 5-0 at the hour mark before Yadoo’s second in the 66th minute to complete a comfortable win for the UAE.
The victory saw the UAE go level on six points with Iran, who defeated Group E hosts Pakistan 2-0 in the earlier fixture at the same venue, and the two will go head-to-head on Sunday with the winner booking their place in next year’s AFC U-16 Championship finals in Thailand.