Watch: Indian Under-16 Football Team Stun Asian Champions Iraq

The Indian Under-16 team has beaten Asian Champions Iraq 1-0 in the WAFF U-16 Championship in Amman.

(Photo: AIFF)

The India U-16 football team registered a historic 1-0 victory over current Asian U-16 Champions Iraq in the WAFF U-16 Championship in Amman.

In a match where India stayed the dominant side, Buevenesh headed in the match-winner in added time, providing the perfect finish to a sublime build-up.

This is the first-ever victory for any Indian football team against Iraq in any format and among all age-groups.

I would like to dedicate this win to all my fellow Indian coaches who train the boys before they join us at the AIFF Academy and eventually the national team. We need to start believing in ourselves. The team thanks the fans and well-wishers of Indian Football who have always stood by us.

Bibiano Fernandes, Indian U16 Coach

Not someone who likes to dive deep into history, Bibiano smiled when reminded about this being the first-ever Indian victory against Iraq.

Whether it’s a final or just a friendly match, when you score a winner in the dying minutes of a match, it’s always special.

Bibiano Fernandes, Indian U16 Coach

The previous time the two teams had met was in the AFC U-16 Qualifiers in Nepal, the match had ended in a 0-0 draw.

The Under-16 team’s win comes on the same day the Indian under-20 side beat 6-time U20 World Cup champions Argentina 2-1 in a COTIF Cup match in Spain.