Iran defeated Sri Lanka and Palestine to top group B in AFC U19 Women’s Championship Qualifiers and booked a place in the finals of the tournament which will be held in China, 2015.
Iran romped to a thumping 6-0 win over Palestine in the final match of the group B qualifiers today, living up to the pre qualifier favourites tag winning both their matches.
Fereshteh Khosravi scored first half hat-trick while Shabnam Behesht added another to give Iran a 4-0 lead into halftime.
Fatemeh Rahmati scored two goals in quick succession in the second half to make it 6-0.
Sri Lanka were unable to find victory in their opening game against Palestine missing several goal scoring opportunities in a goalless draw, which made the Iran match a must win game for them in order to have any hopes of gaining qualification.
However Iran’s Shabnam Behesht had other ideas as her hat trick propelled Iran to a 4-1.
Shabnam opened the scoring in the 20th minute while Zahra Khodabakshi doubles the lead in the 24th minute. Shabnam added her second in the 33rd minute prompting Sri Lanka coach Shanika Rajapakse to introduce Upeksha Aberathna.
In the second half Sri Lanka played a much more improved and controlled game which allowed Upeksha to pull a goal back in the 79th minute. Shabnam restored their three goal cushion and completed her hat- trick in the 89th minute.
