Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dhaka: Captain Majid Rashid hit a hat-trick as the UAE’s quest to qualify for the 2016 AFC U-16 Championship began on Friday with a comprehensive 6-1 win over Bangladesh, consigning the hosts to their second defeat in three-team Group D following Wednesday’s loss to Saudi Arabia.
The UAE took a 12th minute lead at the Bangabandhu National Stadium through Abdulla Al Naqbi before skipper Rashid netted the first of his treble six minutes later.
Sultan Saeed extended the UAE’s advantage in the 22nd minute with a 38th minute Ali Saleh Amro (pictured) strike giving the Gulf side a comfortable 4-0 lead at the half-time interval.
Rashid was the only UAE player to get his name on the scoresheet in the second-half when he completed his treble in the 68th minute after grabbing his second and the Emiratis’ fifth four minutes earlier. The UAE captain’s second-half goals came shortly after midfielder Mohammed Showan had scored a 52nd minute consolation for the hosts.
The UAE will go head-to-head with Gulf neighbours Saudi Arabia, with a place in next year’s finals in India the prize for whichever of the Arab nations emerge top of Group D at the end of Sunday’s showdown.
Ten group winners and four best second-placed teams will join DPR Korea, who topped the already concluded Group H, and India in next year’s finals, with the tournament hosts receiving an automatic qualification.
Should India finish top of their qualifying group or among the four best second-placed teams, the fifth best second-placed nation will qualify for the final competition.