Ahmedabad, Nov. 25 -- The second matchday in Group D of the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 Qualifiers saw Islamic Republic of Iran rise to the top of Group D in style with a 5-0 win over Chinese Taipei at the EKA Arena here.
Palestine and Lebanon played out a 1-1 draw later in the day.
Although IR Iran dominated the ball from the first whistle on Monday night, they were kept at bay for most of the opening half because of some spirited defending by Chinese Taipei.
But the deadlock was finally broken in the 45th minute, with Pouya Jafari serving a cutback from the right for captain Mahan Beheshti, who struck it first-time from 14 yards out. His shot took a wicked deflection off Chinese Taipei defender Gao Yu-zhu, wrongfooting goalkeep...