Iran off to flying start in AFC U-20 Women’s Asia Cup

Iran underlined their credentials as Group H favourites as they began their AFC U-20 Women's Asia Cup Qualifiers in dominant fashion, handing a massive 7-1 defeat to Turkmenistan at the Birshreshtha Shaheed Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur today.

Iran now lead the three-team group, also featuring Bangladesh, and the result will serve as a warning to the hosts ahead of their clash.

Turkmenistan held on valiantly for nearly half-an-hour on a renovated artificial turf at the Big Bowl, before Iranian midfielder Hasti Foroozandeh took matters into her own hands.

She fed in the passes for two of her side's first three goals before slotting home a hattrick.

Foroozandeh first played a ball through to forward Mohaddeseh Zolfi, who broke the deadlock in the 28th minute before substitute forward Rahil Jafari doubled the lead from close range in the 37th minute.

Foroozandeh then set Zolfi off again with a long ball and the Iranian captain made no mistake as she again found the near post in the 42nd minute.

Zolfi returned the favour at the end of the first half, squaring the ball to Foroozandeh to make it 4-0.

In the 48th minute, defender Kimia Rahiminia got name on the scoresheet from distance before Foroozandeh struck her second goal from the penalty spot in the 67th minute.

Mingazova Kamila reduced the margin from a counter-attack, darting down the left and beating goalkeeper Farimehr Khezripanah in the 76th minute before Foroozandeh completed her hattrick in stoppage time.

Turkmenistan will play their second and final Group H match on Friday against Bangladesh.

But the hosts, who are also looking forward to advancing to the next round by emerging group champions, need to post a big win over Turkmenistan before their clash potentially group-deciding clash against Iran on Sunday.