AFC U-16 Championship: It’s do or die battle for India against Iran
Members of the India team at a practice session in Margao on Tuesday, the eve of their AFC U-16 Championship match against Iran.
Members of the India team at a practice session in Margao on Tuesday, the eve of their AFC U-16 Championship match against Iran.
Facing the threat of early elimination, hosts India will need to post a win to stay afloat in the AFC U-16 Championship when they take on formidable Iran in a must win Group A clash here on Wednesday.
After going down to the United Arab Emirates in their opening match, India did well to hold Saudi Arabia to a draw in the second game.
Just like against the UAE, India surrendered the first half lead to Saudi Arabia, who came back strongly in the second half to score two quick goals in a span of two minutes to take the lead.
With the draw though, the hosts kept their hopes alive for a place in the quarter-finals.
India now play their last match against table toppers Iran and need nothing less than a win to advance in the knockout stage.
“It will be a very difficult match against Iran but we will give it our best,” said India coach Nicolai Adam.
“There have been a lot of results at this tournament that have not been expected. Honestly, I believe it can happen. If you can imagine it and believe in it then it is possible and that is how we will go into the match,” he added.
Iran, who have four points, just need a draw to advance in the knockout round.
However, Iran coach Abbas Chamanian said his team would not play for a draw.
“We are not going into this match looking for a point, we will play offensively and we are only thinking about three points from the game against India. We’ll be looking for a victory from the first minute. We respect India but we have one goal and that is to reach a higher level,” he said. As Group A reaches a pulsating climax with all four teams still in the hunt for a place in the quarter-finals, Saudi Arabia will have to defeat the UAE in another match, which will be simultaneously played at GMC Stadium in Bambolim, if they want to avoid an early exit.
Mohammed al Abdali’s team have looked impressive in spells but allowed a two-goal advantage to turn into a 3-2 reversal in their opener against Iran before conceding at the death in the draw with India.