Abed scored a late goal to earn Saudi Arabia a 2-1 victory over Iran in the AFC Youth Soccer Championship at the Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam on Friday. Mohammed Abu Saba'an scored from the spot to put the host ahead before Ehsan Haji Safi equalized from the spot too. Four minutes from time, Al-Abed headed in the winner for Saudi Arabia to seal the win and earn all the three points. The match was attended by Governor of the Eastern Province, Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd and Prince Sultan Bin Fahd, Chairman of the General Presidency of Youth Welfare (GPYW). The win put the two-time winner Saudi Arabia on the top spot of Group alongside Japan which crushed Yemen 5-0 at the same avenue. In Group B, a late goal gave South Korea a 1-0 victory over Syria at the Prince Saud Bin Jalawi Stadium in Khobar. The victory, however, will boost the home team spirit to win the long awaited cup as the last title was won in 1992 after a 2-0 win over South Korea. Iran took only four minutes to threaten Saudi goal when striker Mohsen Mosalman's shot missed few inches off the left post of Saudi Arabia. Five minutes later, Abu Saba'an took the lead for Saudis when he converted a penalty to the right side of Iran goalkeeper Mohammed Sadeghi. In the 34th minute, Iran canceled the Saudi lead with another penalty when Seyediman Moosavi was felled by the Saudi goalkeeper Hassan Shaian inside the area. Haji Safi converted, as his shot hit the left post and then into Shaian's net. After the break, Iran dominated and created many chances. Saudi goalkeeper was in great form as he saved his side on many occasions. Despite its possession, Iran was stunned to see the home team regaining the lead in the 86th minute. It was Nawaf Al-Abed who headed in Sultan Al-Beshi's cross to seal first victory for Saudi Arabia. Earlier, Japan made short work of Yemen with a 5-0 rout. Mizunuma Kota drew the first blood for Japan early in the first half before Nagai Kensuke doubled the lead a few minutes from the break. Yamamoto Kosuke made it 3-0 while Kota scored his second goal. Suzuki Jun then sealed the win. Japan looked determined to register a big win before clashing with Saudi Arabia and Iran. Japan reached the final of the tournament six times but failed to win the cup. In the 14th minute, Kota broke Yemen's offside trap to place the ball in the right side of goalkeeper Ali Masood. Yemen tried to equalize as the team created good chances but the lack of experience undid its strikers. In the 41st minute, Nagai extended his side's lead to go for the break with a 2-0 cushion. Six minutes after the break, Yamamoto Kosuke beat the poor Yemen defense and netted the third goal. Two minutes later, Kota scored his second goal as he blasted the ball to the left side of Masood. In the 55th minute, Suzuki Jun blasted from about 25 yards to shake the net of Yemen's advancing goalkeeper. __
