A hat-trick from Mohammed Dawood saw Iraq brush aside Japan and secure their place in the final of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U-16 Championship after an action-packed 4-2 victory over the two-time winners here on Thursday.
Having netted both goals in Monday's quarter-final win over Uzbekistan, striker Dawood gave his side the lead inside 20 minutes before a Hiroto Yamada double switched the advantage Japan's way before half-time.
Japan passed up several chances in the opening period of the second half and Muntadher Abdulsada punished their wastefulness with the leveller on 66 minutes before Dawood converted twice from the penalty spot to complete his treble and send them into Sunday's final.
--IANS
sam/dg
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