Abu Dhabi: UAE reached the quarter-finals of the Asian Under-19 Championship after beating Indonesia 4-1 in their crucial Group A match at the Wunna Theikdi Stadium in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, on Tuesday.
UAE had to win by a two-goal margin to qualify and they stormed into the last-eight by topping their pool on five points and with a better goal difference.
UAE, Uzbekistan and Australia were all tied on points, but Australia’s exited when Uzbekistan held them to a 1-1 draw and the latter went through on goal difference.
UAE will now play hosts Myanmar on Friday for a place in the last four. The top four teams from this tournament will directly qualify for the 2015 Under-20 World Cup in New Zealand.
Mohammad Al Akberi put UAE in front in the 11th minute before Ahmad Al Hasmi doubled the lead after 22 minutes.
Playmaker Saeed Jassim Saleh Ali Hassan made it 3-0 in the 50th minute, but Indonesia’s Mohammad Dimas Drajad pulled one back two minutes later. Substitute Ahmad Rabia Gheilani rounded off the scoring in the 79th minute.
