Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Goa: A hat-trick from Mohammed Dawood saw Iraq end Japan's 100% record and secure their place in the final of the AFC U-16 Championship India 2016 after an action-packed 4-2 victory over the two-time winners at GMC Stadium on Thursday.
Having netted both goals in Monday's quarter-final win over Uzbekistan, striker Dawood gave his side the lead inside 20 minutes before a Hiroto Yamada double switched the advantage Japan's way before half-time.
Yoshiro Moriyama's side passed up several chances in the opening period of the second half and Muntadher Abdulsada punished their wastefulness with the leveller on 66 minutes before Dawood converted twice from the penalty spot to complete his treble and send Qahtan Chitheer's side into Sunday's final.
Japan had not conceded in 360 minutes of football ahead of the last four clash but it took Iraq 18 minutes to break their run of clean sheets.