Iraq kicked off their U-16 Asian Cup campaign in India with a 2-1 win over 2014 runner up South Korea.
The Cubs of Mesopotamia went behind with two minutes to spare in the first-half after a nice low cross from Kim Tae-hwan was slotted home by Jeong Chan-young.
But only seconds before the interval Kim Min-hyeok would handle the ball in the box allowing midfielder Muntadher Mohammed to convert from the penalty spot and give Iraq the equaliser going into the interval.
It only took three minutes into the second-half for Iraq to find the back of the net again, though. Tae-hwan fouled Mohammed in the box and Muntadher once again made no mistake from the spot, giving his side the advantage.
The scorer was unfortunately stretchered off as the game came to a close but Iraq held on to get their first three points of the campaign.
They are now second in the group on goal difference following Oman’s 3-0 victory over Malaysia.
Iraq will play Malaysia on the 19th before Oman on the 22nd. The youngsters are aiming to reach at least the semi-final of the cup, which will grant them a place in next year’s under-17 World Cup.
