May 19, 2008	Monday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 13, 1429

LAHORE, May 18: Striker Mohammad Nawaz enabled Pakistan ‘A’ to earn a 1-0 win over Sri Lanka ‘A’ as the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Under-14 Festival of Football commenced in Tehran’s Shahid Bahonar Stadium on Sunday.

The lone goal emerged in

the 12th minute. Later, Pakistan ‘B’ drew 0-0 with Bhutan ‘B’.

In the day’s other matches, Iran ‘A’ outclassed Bhutan ‘A’ 5-0, India ‘A’ beat Maldives ‘A’ 3-1, Nepal ‘A’ edged out Afghanistan ‘A’ 1-0 while Iran ‘B’ proved too good for Sri Lanka ‘B’ with a 3-0 win.

The event is being participated by eight nations, namely, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India and hosts Iran.

The five-day long festival will see the playing of some 36 matches with the first 24 of a 30-minute duration and last 12 lasting 60 minutes each.

The championship, which carries no trophy for the winners, will award green cards to the players in order to promote fair play.

Monday’s fixture: Sri Lanka ‘B’ v India ‘B’; Bhutan ‘B’ v Nepal ‘B’; India ‘B’ v Pakistan ‘B’; Nepal ‘B’ v Iran ‘B’; Iran ‘A’ v Afghanistan ‘A’; Pakistan ‘A’ v Maldives ‘A’; Bhutan ‘A’ v Maldives ‘A’; Afghanistan ‘A’ v Sri Lanka ‘A’; Iran ‘B’ v India ‘B’; Pakistan ‘B’ v Nepal ‘B’; Afghanistan ‘B’ v Bhutan ‘B’ and Sri Lanka ‘B’ v Maldives ‘B’.