AFC U17 Asian Cup
Chinese Taipei, meanwhile, produced a five-star performance to hand Maldives a 5-0 defeat.
Hong Kong, China 1-1 Iraq
Both teams had chances early on with Yousif Zhekar’s near-post flick saved by Lo Kin Fung before Ali Dheyaa reacted quickly to clear Wong Sean’s header off the Iraq goal line.
Both teams had chances early on with Yousif Zhekar’s near-post flick saved by Lo Kin Fung before Ali Dheyaa reacted quickly to clear Wong Sean’s header off the Iraq goal line.
Iraq took the lead in the 23rd minute after Hasan Hayder slotted home a penalty following Lee Sen Hei’s handball in trying to stop Dheyaa’s long pass.
Hong Kong, China had chances - particularly through Yu Li Feng, who had a couple of powerful strikes from distance that just missed the target while Zhekar managed to put the ball in the net in the 37th minute but it was ruled out for offside.
Qualifiers - Group B: Hong Kong, China v Iraq
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After a cagey start to the second half, Hong Kong, China burst into life in the 65th minute.
Lee Shing Chun produced a stunning strike from outside the box that smacked against the crossbar but Lu Zheyang was on hand to pick up the rebound to slot past Sihad Khalat.
Both teams had opportunities to grab a late winner with Lu receiving the ball in the box but blasted high from close range while Ahmed Saad’s brilliant stoppage time dribble was denied by an equally excellent Fong Chun Kit block.
Maldives 0-5 Chinese Taipei
Maldives custodian Ahmed Athif was given his first test in the fourth minute, diving down to his left to palm away Lai Min-en’s dipping strike from distance.
Athif, however, was at fault for the opening goal in the 10th minute, completely missing Liu Ri-sheng’s corner delivery with Sung Chi-yu picking up the second ball and rifling home on the turn.
Liu produced another standout delivery from the left in the 20th minute for Chen Sheng-en to sidefoot home to double Chinese Taipei’s lead.
Maldives should have reduced the deficit before half-time when Chinese Taipei goalkeeper Chang Yu-en missed a clearance outside the box but Mossa Shakeeb’s curling effort was headed away by captain Lai Han-wei.
Qualifiers - Group B: Maldives v Chinese Taipei
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Zhang Yi-le had a trio of chances to add to Chinese Taipei’s tally early in the second half, with Athif saving two and the third sailing just over.
Zhang, however, wasn’t to be denied again when he latched on to Chen’s pass in the 66th minute to lash home his side’s third in the game.
Maldives simply had no answer to the East Asians’ attacks with Min-en curling in a spectacular strike in the 70th minute before Zhang’s header after a mistake from Yoosuf Riyaz capped an emphatic Chinese Taipei win.
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