Saudis thru'

Saudi Arabia booked the automatic qualification spot for the final round of the AFC U-16 Championship after emerging Group D winners following a 6-2 win over United Arab Emirates at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

Saudi Arabia finished with six points while UAE finished second with three. Hosts Bangladesh finished their campaign with two defeats in two matches.

The Saudis put up a brilliant performance on the rain-soaked pitch despite conceding an early lead. Midfielder Al Abdan Hamad slotted a hattrick while Ali Alshaikhi, Dhari Al Anazi and Almas Naif Mousa netted one goal apiece for Saudi Arabia. Ali Saleh struck a goal for UAE while the other was an own-goal.