Iraq wins title of AFC U 14 Championship
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) In-form striker Mohanad Ali Kadhim netted a brace as Iraq lift the AFC U-14 Championship 2014 title after registering a comfortable 3-0 victory over DPR Korea in the final played at the Hajibabaei Stadium on Wednesday.
Kadhim, who was the leading goal-scorer of the tournament with four goals before going into the final, made his total tally to six and walked away with highest goal-scorer honors.
After a goalless first half, Kadhim put Iraq 2-0 up by scoring goals in the 32nd and 43rd minute and Mohammed Ridha, who was later declared tournament’s Most Valuable Player, sealed the emphatic win with a 55th minute third of the evening for Iraq.
DPR Korea were the shadows of their previous form and apart from a clear-cut chance in the 16th minute to forward Jong In-sok, the Korean outfit remained subdued throughout.
Jong was clear in front of the goal with goalkeeper Mundher Najm nowhere in the scene after Paek Chuong-song set an ideal ball for his fellow strike partner but a mistimed shot went inches outside the bar.
Kadhim, the man in top form, was a constant threat to DPR Korea goal but it was only in the 32nd minute he broke the deadlock with a cool finish. Credit goes to defender Habeeb Mohammed for supplying an acute pass at the center to unmarked poacher Kadhim who just tapped the ball inside for Iraq’s lead.
DPR took a gamble and started marching at the Iraq’s territory and the silky Iraqis showed what is required from the champions. A brilliant display of one-touch passing, Kadhim was left clear at the center and he guided the ball coolly past goalie Kim Kum-song in the 43rd minute.
Dead-ball specialist Ridha showed his different skills by volleying the ball past DPR goalie with five minutes left in the clock to seal an emphatic Iraq win.
This is Iraq’s second age-group continental title of the year as they begun 2014 with a title-winning campaign in the AFC U-22 Championship. They were also in the semi-finals and final respectively in the previous edition of the AFC U-16 and U-19 Championships. /End/