Iran in sight of group title

Iran almost assured the Group B title of the AFC U-16 Women's Championship qualifiers beating Jordan by 6-1 goal at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in the city Tuesday, reports UNB.

Captain Fatemeh Geraeli and striker Fatemeh Ghashemi made hattricks scoring three goals each for Iran.

After the day's match, Iran tops the Group B list with all-win record beating UAE 9-0, India 2-1 and Jordan 6-1 and needs just a draw in the remaining match against hosts Bangladesh Thursday.

In the day's match, Iran took the lead in the 22nd minute as captain Fatemeh Geraeli scored a superb goal from about 30 yards (1-0). She doubled the team margin in the 39th minute flicking the ball in the far post off a free kick by Mamshad Amiri (2-0).

Talented forward Fatemeh Ghashemi netted the third goal for Iran in the 42nd minute as she dashed past the Jordanian defence before putting the ball into the far post corner by an angular shot (3-0).

Midfielder Noor Mahmoud Rajab Zooash pulled one back for Jordan by a curving free kick in the injury time of the first half (3-1)

Iranian skipper Fatemeh Geraeli completed the hattrick in the 52nd minute as Sana Sadeghy freed her with a long ball and Geraeli chipped the ball over Jordanian goalie Rand Naser Salem into the net (4-1).

On the other hand, two hattricks by Roja Devi and Anushka Samuels helped India U-16 Women's team to notch a stunning 12-0 victory over UAE in the group B match of the AFC U-16 Women's Championship Qualifiers at the same venue Tuesday.

In the day's match, forward Roja Devi made hatrrick scoring four goals in the 24th, 69th, 75th and 92nd minutes while substitute forward Anushka Samuels made the other hattrick, also with four goals in the 72nd, 76th, 80th and 82nd minutes.