Hosts China got off to the best possible start in the AFC U-19 Championship with a 3-1 win over Saudi Arabia, while former champions Syria also recorded victory on the opening day of the tournament.
Syria last won the tournament in 1994 and managed to beat Thailand 1-0 despite going down to ten men, while Iraq were beaten 2-1 by Bahrain and Uzbekistan recorded a 1-0 win over North Korea.
In front of over 31,000 fans at the Zibo Sports Centre China made sure they'd top Group A after the first day, a Wu Lei double and a Tan Tiancheng strike giving them the win.
Manager Su Maozhen has made the semi finals the minimum objective for the Chinese as they look to qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup next year by reaching the last four.
With the spotlight well and truely on China's rising stars they turned in a confident performance, recovering after Mohammed Majrashi immediately cancelled out Tan's seventh minute opener.
A cool finish from Wu restored the hosts' lead after fifteen minutes before he made sure of the points in the second half when he headed home after goalkeeper Abdullah Al Sdairy misjudged a corner.
Radwan Kalaji's free-kick meanwhile gave Syria their first win of the competition, the goal coming in the second half desite Mohammad Al Ghabbash being sent off in the first period.
Thailand's Sarach Yooyen hit the post in the first half with a long-range free-kick before Al Ghabbash was dismissed after an off-the-ball clas.
Kalaji opened the scoring on 69 minutes when his free-kick snuck through the Thai wall, with the South East Asians unable to break down their opponents despite their numerical advantage.
Bahrain meanwhile had to come from behind to beat Iraq in Group B, Ali Sabah giving the latter the lead on the stroke of half-time.
Saad Salah equalized five minutes after the restart before Ali Muneer put Bahrain ahead five minutes later, hitting the woodwork through Salah on 70 minutes and holding onto their advantage.
In the same group Temurkhuja Abdukholiqov's second half penalty gave Uzbekistan a 1-0 win over North Korea, who were punished for squandering opportunities after showing plenty of attacking quality throughout the match.
Syria last won the tournament in 1994 and managed to beat Thailand 1-0 despite going down to ten men, while Iraq were beaten 2-1 by Bahrain and Uzbekistan recorded a 1-0 win over North Korea.
In front of over 31,000 fans at the Zibo Sports Centre China made sure they'd top Group A after the first day, a Wu Lei double and a Tan Tiancheng strike giving them the win.
Manager Su Maozhen has made the semi finals the minimum objective for the Chinese as they look to qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup next year by reaching the last four.
With the spotlight well and truely on China's rising stars they turned in a confident performance, recovering after Mohammed Majrashi immediately cancelled out Tan's seventh minute opener.
A cool finish from Wu restored the hosts' lead after fifteen minutes before he made sure of the points in the second half when he headed home after goalkeeper Abdullah Al Sdairy misjudged a corner.
Radwan Kalaji's free-kick meanwhile gave Syria their first win of the competition, the goal coming in the second half desite Mohammad Al Ghabbash being sent off in the first period.
Thailand's Sarach Yooyen hit the post in the first half with a long-range free-kick before Al Ghabbash was dismissed after an off-the-ball clas.
Kalaji opened the scoring on 69 minutes when his free-kick snuck through the Thai wall, with the South East Asians unable to break down their opponents despite their numerical advantage.
Bahrain meanwhile had to come from behind to beat Iraq in Group B, Ali Sabah giving the latter the lead on the stroke of half-time.
Saad Salah equalized five minutes after the restart before Ali Muneer put Bahrain ahead five minutes later, hitting the woodwork through Salah on 70 minutes and holding onto their advantage.
In the same group Temurkhuja Abdukholiqov's second half penalty gave Uzbekistan a 1-0 win over North Korea, who were punished for squandering opportunities after showing plenty of attacking quality throughout the match.
AFC U-19 Championship: Hosts China Get Off To Perfect Start
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