AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: India hosted the 17th edition of the AFC U-16 Championship in picturesque Goa from September 15-October 2, 2016, which subsequently saw Iraq triumphing over their arch-rivals Iran in the final to clinch their first continental silverware in this age group.

Indian National team, under the tutelage of the Nicolai Adam dished out bravado against mighty Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and eventual runners-up Iran in the round robin stage. Incidentally, the goal scored by Sanjeev Stalin against the UAE in the opener was nominated in the top 10 goals of the championship by the AFC aficionados.

Indian attacking trio comprising of Komal Thatal, Aniket Jadhav and Aman Chetri always kept the opposition defenders at bay and stole crucial goals at the right moments, earning praise from the opposition coaches.

India scored two quick goals against Saudi Arabia within first 20 minutes but had to concede two late goals in last ten minutes. Finally, skipper Suresh Singh held his nerves to convert the penalty in added time to earn a crucial point against the champions of 1988 edition.

Incidentally, almost 6000 people thronged the JLN Stadium to cheer for the youngsters recording maximum footfalls in any AFC U-16 Championship match till date.

Meanwhile, in the semi-finals, Iraq rode on Mohammed Dawood's heroics to crush Japan and Iran outplayed DPR Korea in the penalty shootout for a mouth-watering grand finale on October 2, 2016.

After the regulation period of 90 minutes failed to decide a winner, the final went on to the penalty shootout where the Iraqi youngsters held their nerves to finally clinch the trophy, handed over to them by none other than his Excellency Salman Bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa, President, AFC. Mohammed Dawood who scored the winner for Iraq was bestowed with the MVP of the tournament award.