Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
West Bank: Palestine and the United Arab Emirates both made winning starts to their AFC U-19 Championship 2016 qualifying campaigns with the Group C hosts edging India 1-0 and the UAE scoring three first-half goals to see off Afghanistan 3-0 on Friday.
Majid Mohammed Al Mehairi scored twice in five first-half minutes, with the UAE forward’s 20th and 25th minute goals adding to Khalfan Hassan Al Noobi’s seventh-minute opener as the 2008 AFC U-19 champions took a commanding 3-0 lead into the interval.
Afghanistan tightened up their defence in the second half but were unable to find the goals needed to force their way back into the opening fixture at the Faisal Al Husseini Stadium, as the two sides played out a goalless second half.
Meanwhile in the later fixture, a 16th minute strike from defender Mahmoud Yousef was sufficient for Group C hosts Palestine to see off India and take a positive first step on their road to Bahrain.
The journey to next year’s continental youth finals continues on Sunday when Palestine again face South Asian opposition in the shape of Afghanistan while the UAE will be looking to consolidate their opening victory when they take on India in the later fixture on the same day.
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.