JEDDAH, 31 October 2006 — Two-times champions Saudi Arabia drew their opening match yesterday against five-times champions Iraq 2-2 in the AFC Youth Championship at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bangalore, India.
Saudi Arabia went ahead twice only for Iraq to draw level each time in the match in Group D that also includes Vietnam and Malaysia.
Ahmad Al-Kaabi put the Kingdom in the score sheet in minutes 9 will a well-executed shot from inside the penalty box. Alaa Abdu Zahra then pulled one back for Iraq in the 27th minute of the first half.
Saudi Arabia regained the lead in minutes 52 with a goal by Muhammad Al-Sahlawi. Just as when the Kingdom looked to have the three points in the bag toward the end of the match, Halkard Muhammad came along to hit the equalizer for the Iraqis.
Vietnam lead with three points following a 2-1 triumph over Malaysia 2-1 in another Group D match.
UAE suffered a shock defeat against Thailand 2-1 and China defeated Australia 1-0 in Group B matches.
Thailand lead the group on goal difference over China although both teams each have three points.
Saudi Arabia face Malaysia in their next match tomorrow with Vietnam taking on Iraq.
Meantime, Al-Ittifaq of Dammam drew 3-3 against Al-Salmiyah of Kuwait in Kuwait in the first leg match in the Gulf Championship. Ittifaq were first to score in minutes 27, and another goal from Khaled Al-Suwaihli in minutes 43 gave the Dammam-based team a 2-0 lead. The first half ended 2-1 as Jekareh tallied a 45th minute strike for Al-Salmiyah.
Nawaf Al-Otaibi gave Ittifaq fits when he scored the equalizer and the third goal for Al-Salmiyah in minutes 50 and 78. With a change of favor at 3-2 and Al-Salmiyah beginning to entertain thoughts of victory, Saleh Basheer came up with a last-gasp goal in minutes 90 for the equalizer. The second leg match will be played on Nov. 20 in Dammam.
