Iran U16 women emerge Group B champs

TehranTimes, Dhaka – Iran U-16 women’s team emerged as the unbeaten group B champions in the Qualifiers to play in the final round of the AFC U-16 Women’s Championship beating Bangladesh by 2-1 goals in their last match at Bangabandhu National Stadium in the city Thursday, reports UNB.

Iran qualified as the third team for the final round to be held in Wuhan, China, in November next year.

Earlier, Chinese Taipei and Korea Republic qualified from their respective groups for the eight-nation competition while defending champions Japan, DPR Korea, China and Thailand are direct entrants having finished in the top four in the last edition.

The champions and the runners-up in Wuhan will fly the Asian flag at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2016 in Jordan.

In the day’s match, Bangladesh took the lead in the 16th minute as Sanjida Akhter floated a free kick in the middle of the box and the Iranian defence failed to clear the ball, unmarked Lipi Akhter slotted the ball into the far post with a left footer. Bangladesh dominated the first half 1-0.

Iran levelled the margin in the 60th minute when skipper Fatemeh Geraeli headed a Fatemeh Huseini corner into the middle of the post (1-1).

Iran sealed the win in the 70th minute after defender Nargis Khatun fouled Fatemeh Ghashemi inside the box and the referee awarded a penalty. Fatemeh Ghashemi converted the spot kick to lead 2-1.

With the day’s result, Iran secured the top slot in the qualifying round with 12 points while India finished runners-up securing nine points. In the day’s first match, India beat Jordan 6-3.

Host Bangladesh finished third with six points while Jordan earned three points and UAE lost all their four matches.