AFC U-16 Championship: Iraq defeats South Korea 2-1

A pair of penalties from Muntadher Mohammed helped Iraq claim an impressive 2-1 win over Korea Republic in their AFC U-16 Championship India 2016 Group C opener on Friday. Korea Republic went in front on 43 minutes through Jeong Chan-young, only for Mohammed to level from the spot just seconds before the interval.

Mohammed netted his second penalty of the afternoon early in the second half to round off the scoring as Iraq marked their first appearance in the tournament since 2012 by securing all three points

After an even opening at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, 2014 runners-up Korea Republic had the first sight on goal when Park Jeong-in lashed into the side-netting from a narrow angle on 12 minutes. Muntadher Abdulsada then headed wide from the penalty spot down the other end after being picked out by an inch-perfect Habeeb Mohammed cross from the right.

The Koreans then came closest to opening the scoring on the half-hour mark when Park Jeong-in curled his free-kick from fully 30 yards just wide of goalkeeper Ali Ibadi’s right post, before Park Chan-bin was narrowly off target from the edge of the area as the East Asians cranked up the pressure.

And the deadlock was finally broken two minutes before half-time when Kim Tae-hwan beat Ammar Mohammed down the right side before pulling back for Jeong to finish from 15 yards.

But the West Asians responded in perfect fashion when Mohammed stroked home his penalty in first-half stoppage time after Kim Min-hyeok was adjudged to have handled the midfielder’s cross from the left.

Then four minutes after the restart Kim Tae-hwan upended Mohammed in the box and this time the influential number six sent goalkeeper Park Ji-min the wrong way by firing low to his left to put his side 2-1 up.

Iraq had the better of the play but Seo Hyo-won’s team were presented with a chance midway through the half when Park Jeong-in shot across the face of goal from a tight angle, before the striker drilled wide from the edge of the area soon after.

As the final 10 minutes approached the Koreans pushed forward but struggled to create any clear-cut opportunities and it was Iraq who looked the more likely to add to their tally as Mohammed Dawood curled just over with three minutes to play.

Korea Republic then should have levelled with a minute left on the clock, but Cheon Seong-hoon headed Park Chan-bin’s cross wide from close in as the Iraqis held out.

Iraq coach Qahtan Chitheer said: "The Korean team is very strong and has the ability to compete for 90 minutes. They also had good preparation for the tournament. In the first half we were exposed to severe pressure, but in the second half we perfected our faults and were strong.

“The humidity affected both teams, but we played strongly and gained three points. Mohammed is a player we respect and he has the ability to take penalties like that."

Korea Republic coach Seo Hyo-won said: "Iraq have a strong side - we did our best but the boys were a little bit nervous. The penalty just before half-time was one of the reasons the game changed, but we now have to learn something from this match. This is a youth tournament and we need to learn. We'll now prepare well for the next match."