A stirring first half display helped the Islamic Republic of Iran seal a comfortable 6-0 Group D win over Mongolia on Wednesday to announce their arrival at the inaugural AFC U-20 Futsal Championship in some style.

Having not played on Matchday One, the Iranians proved too hot to handle for a Mongolian side which only 24 hours earlier had been celebrating an opening day defeat of the United Arab Emirates.

Iran, whose senior side won the 2016 AFC Futsal Championship, raced into a 5-0 lead before half-time as Sahand Rezapour’s brace, as well as goals from Mohammad Taheri, captain Touhid Lofti and Hamzen Kadkhoda, put the game beyond a beleaguered Mongolia at Bangkok’s Hua Mark Indoor Stadium.

To their credit, Mongolia refused to buckle after the break, although they were unable to prevent Mahdi Karimi bagging a sixth for Iran in the 30th minute as the talented West Asians underlined just why they are one of the favourites to advance to the tournament’s knockout phase.

Source: AFC