India route Lebanon 6-0 in AFC U-16 football qualifiers

Tabriz City, Iran: Suresh Singh struck a brilliant hat-trick as India thrashed Lebanon 6-0 to end their AFC Under-16 Qualifiers campaign in style here on Sunday.

Suresh scored in the 29th, 71st and 89th minutes while Komal Thatal and Amarjit Singh found the net in the 77th and 80th minutes. Lebanon player Habib Baladi scored an own goal in the 75th minute as the Indian boys routed the opposition side in a one-sided Group E match at Yadegar Emam Stadium.

With the win today, India ended at second place in the group with six points behind Iran, who thrashed Bahrain 6-0 in another match today to top the group the group by winning all the three matches. India had beaten Bahrain 5-0 before losing to Iran 0-3.

India have already qualified for the 2016 AFC Under-16 Championships final round as the host country but still they took part in the qualifiers to gain experience.

Eleven group winners and four best second-placed teams in the qualifiers will join India in next year's finals, with the tournament hosts receiving an automatic qualification.

The Indian boys took some time to settle down and they also missed a few chances in the initial minutes. They dominated the first half but could score just one goal.

After the change of ends, the Indians continued from where they left in the first 45 minutes but still goals eluded them till the final quarter of the match.

Suddenly the floodgates were opened once the second goal was scored in the 71st minute. Habib's own goal in the 75th minute was a result of incessant pressure applied by the Indians who pumped in three quick goals towards the end of the match.