Sports Live: Iran thumped Turkmenistan 7-1 Wednesday to start their Group H match of the AFC U-20 Women's Asia Cup qualifiers at the Birshreshtha Shaheed Shipahi Mohammad Mustafa Kamal Stadium in the capital's Kamalapur.

They dominated the first half 4-0. Midfielder Hasti Forouzandeh made a hat-trick, with goals in the 47th, 67th, and 901st minutes. Captain and striker Mohaddeseh Zolfu struck twice (28th and 42nd); Rahil Jafari (37th) and Kimia Rahiminia (48th) netted one goal each, reports UNB.

Mingazova Kamila pulled one back for Turkmenistan in the 76th minute. Bangladesh, placed in Group H with Iran and Turkmenistan, will start its campaign by taking on Turkmenistan Friday at 5 pm. The hosts will face a stronger Iran Sunday in the last group match.

The second round of the tournament, with eight group champions, will be held during June 1-11.

Four teams from the second round will earn the right to play in the eight-team final round in Uzbekistan during March 3-16 next year along with Japan, North Korea, South Korea, and the hosts.

Dhaka, 08 March (campuslive24.com)//BSC