Hanoi (VNA) – Saudi Arabia took the lead in Group B at the 2020 AFCU23 Championship in Thailand after a 2-1 victory over Japan on January 9.
The teams wentinto halftime goalless, but three minutes after the break, Saudi Arabi took the lead when Al Khulaif fired a low shot that beat Japanesegoalkeeper Keisuke Osako.
Japan werelevel just a few minutes later when Ryotaro Meshino saw his shot take adeflection off Al Tambakti into Al Yami’s net.
The game waseventually settled by a late penalty awarded to Saudi Arabia and AbdulrahmanGhareeb made no mistakefrom the spot.
The other Group B match between Qatarand Syria ended in a draw. It took the Qataris less than 30 minute to score twice, but they were unable tohold on to their lead with Syria scoring twice in extra time.
In Group C,Iran drew 1-1 with reigning champions Uzbekistan, while in the opening clash the Republic of Koreadefeated China with a late goal to top the group./.