Sport - Football

Iraq mauls India

New Delhi: India started its AFC Cup under-19 football qualification campaign on a disastrous note with host Iraq blanking it 5-0 in the opening match at the Francouse Hareeri stadium in Arbil.

Amjed Waleed Hussain and Mustafa Jalal scored two goals each, while substitute Muhaimen found the net once in the one-sided affair on Thursday, according to information received here.

India will next play Saudi Arabia on Saturday.

Playing on home soil, Iraq displayed an all-out attacking game and dominated the match from the outset.

However, it was India which had a golden opportunity to take the lead in the very first minute of the match but Manandeep’s header went way wide of the crossbar.

India’s coach Colm Toal said Iraq was by far the better side.

“Iraq played well and they were better in all departments of the game. We did not know much about the Iraqi team and they outplayed us,” Toal said.

“Next we are up against Saudi Arabia and we hope to bounce back in the match with a better result,” he said.

Meanwhile, in other match of the day Saudi Arabia beat Afghanistan 5-1. — PTI

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