AFC U17 Asian Cup
First half strikes from Mohammed Al Raawi and Mohammed Al Garash ensured the West Asian side took the three points and they will look to ride on their momentum when they face Indonesia - who defeated Korea Republic 1-0 in the earlier match - on Monday.
Afghanistan were left frustrated in the eighth minute after Sayed Naveed played a delightful ball through to Waris Raziqi, whose shot from outside the box almost slipped past the gloves of Yemen keeper Wessam Al Asbahi.
Yemen, runners-up in 2002, almost found a way through in the 12th minute when Ahmed Sheikh’s instinctive pass set Karem Abdulatif free inside the box, only for the Al Tilal forward to be dispossessed by Mohammad Nowrozi’s timely tackle.
Yemen, however, took the lead in the 24th minute when Afghanistan keeper Mohammad Muradi did well to deny Aiman Abdulrab’s volley, only for the rebound to fall kindly for Al Raawi to thump home.
Afghanistan, still reeling from going behind, fell further behind three minutes later when Nasir Mohammadi conceded a penalty after bringing down Karem Abdulatif, with Al Garash converting from the spot.
The Central Asian side came close to reducing the deficit in the 50th minute when Waris Shirzai set up Sahil Sarwari at the top of the area, only for the Hamas FC midfielder to pull his effort just wide off the left post.
Group C: Yemen v Afghanistan
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Yemen, seeking their third goal, piled on the pressure with Ali Daleeo, Abdullah Abdullah and Aiman Abdulrab all seeing their efforts thwarted by Muradi as Afghanistan’s hopes of getting themselves back into the game were dashed.
