Pakistan U16 began their AFC U16 Championship qualification campaign with style with a 4-0 win over a hapless Maldives U16 team in Kuwait City with a late-night kick off yesterday 12 Sept 2011. The Pak U16 boys continued their fine form and confidence from their SAFF U16 Championship victory as they took Maldives to the sword once again from the start in the opening fixtures of the AFC U16 qualifiers Group B at Ali Sabah Al-Salem stadium.
Pakistan took the lead after 13 minutes when Muhammad Bilal scored off a well-placed pass from star striker Mansoor Khan. Bilal’s shot hit the post and went in as Pakistan went 1-0 up. 3 minutes later, Mansoor got his name on the score sheet when his well-placed shot just inside the box found the net as Maldives defence were in complete disarray.
At half-time, Pakistan looked comfortable 2-0 up and were determined to score more. In 63rd minute, a Mansoor Khan cross found the head of Bilal, who flicked it on for impressive winger Sher Ali who finished with aplomb as Pakistan went 3-0 up and took the game well beyond the reach pf Maldives. Midfielder Raza Ali then made it 4-0 when his 20 yard shot flew past the goalkeeper 3 minutes later as Pak U16 ended the game with a dominating performance over their fellow SAFF rivals.
The win should give the Sajjad Mehmood and Hassan Baloch coached side great confidence in their tricky AFC qualification group also featuring the likes of UAE, Kuwait, Yemen, and Afghanistan. In other games of the group, 10 man Yemen were held 1-1 by UAE, while 10 man Kuwait came from behind to draw Afghanistan 1-1 earlier in the day to avoid a humiliating loss.
The results mean that Pakistan are currently on top in Group B with 3 points and a +4 goal difference, as they now face hosts Kuwait in next game on 14 September.
More info and news of AFC U16 Championship 2012 Qualifiers here http://www.the-afc.com/en/