Iran Downs Lebanon at AFC U-19 Women's Championship Qualifiers
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Iran kept its hopes of a place in the AFC U-19 Women's Championship Thailand 2019 Finals alive, defeating Lebanon 5-1 in its final Group B match on Tuesday.
Iran's thumping win took the team to four points in Group B, meaning Katayoun Khosrowyar's side could still qualify for the tournament proper if Vietnam loses to Korea Republic in Tuesday's later match.
Farah El Tayar showed searing pace before scoring superbly for already-eliminated Lebanon early in the match.
But Iran responded in fine style, equalizing with a 35-yard masterpiece from Vida Raietparvar in the 15th minute, before Negin Zandi added a second 17 minutes later to ensure it would go into the interval a goal ahead.
Raietparvar converted a penalty kick two minutes after the restart to extend the lead, before Zandi joined her in completing a brace when she calmly stroked home Iran's fourth for the afternoon at the hour mark.
Iran was producing excellent football, and Zahra Masoumi took the team out of sight with a superbly struck fifth goal with 20 minutes remaining, putting the pressure firmly on group host Vietnam ahead of its match against already-qualified Korea Republic.
Vietnam and Iran played out a 1-1 draw on Matchday One, meaning Vietnam's fate could rest on goal difference should they suffer a defeat to the Koreans.