AFC U17 Asian Cup
The United Arab Emirates opened their campaign with a 3-0 win against Bhutan in the later game.
Macau, China 0-1 Syria
Syria went on the attack from the start with Macau, China custodian Cheok Hei Chan forced to make an early save from Quissi Al Salhani’s point-blank header after a fine Mahmoud Al Bardan cross.
There was nothing Cheok could do in the eighth minute when Ahmad Al Sheikh wriggled away from his marker on the left flank and cut the ball back for Mohammad Al Mostafa to smash a low shot home from just inside the box.
Syria could have added to their advantage but Mohammad Ali Knan’s header and an Aram Al Hammoud strike were well dealt with by Cheok as Macau, China kept the margins tight at the break.
Qualifiers - Group C: Macau, China v Syria
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In the second half, Syria had opportunities to increase their lead but Cheok continued to excel, closing down Laith Al Mahamid to block the attempt before denying a deft header from the forward.
Having defended for much of the match, Macau, China opened up in the final moments of the match and could have scored the equaliser in stoppage time when Syria made a mess of Chow Man Nok’s free-kick but Che Cheok Long snatched at the loose ball and sent it agonisingly wide.
Bhutan 0-3 UAE
UAE got off to a brilliant start with Mansoor Ali blasting in a fifth minute opener after Tobdhen Jigsel could only nod Matar Al Rashidi’s cross into the midfielder’s path.
UAE got off to a brilliant start with Mansoor Ali blasting in a fifth minute opener after Tobdhen Jigsel could only nod Matar Al Rashidi’s cross into the midfielder’s path.
It was one-way traffic for the remainder of the half as the group host produced attack after attack but were guilty of poor finishing.
Sultan Al Abdooli headed wide, Saif Esaadi dragged a shot off target, Salem Bani rounded the keeper but was unable to finish from an acute angle with the captain then forcing a finger tip save from Jigsel as Bhutan hung on.
Qualifiers - Group C: Bhutan v UAE
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Bani, however, didn’t need a third invitation to get his goal as the midfielder turned Tenzin Namgyel in the box two minutes into the second half and in one swift move, smashed the ball past a rooted Jigsel.
It became 3-0 in the 57th minute when Bhutan did not clear their lines from a UAE corner with Mitham Al Ghelaini’s attempt to play the ball back into the danger zone hitting Namgyel and landing over the line.
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