Iran beat Kyrgyz Republic 6-0, while Uzbekistan earned a 7-0 victory over Turkmenistan, giving each team the maximum nine points ahead of their meeting on Tuesday.
Kyrgyz Republic 0-6 IR Iran
Islamic Republic of Iran made it three victories from as many matches, powering away from Kyrgyz Republic after half-time to win 6-0 in Dushanbe.
Hajar Dabbaghi, Fatemeh Shaban and Fatemeh Ghaasemi scored twice each for Maryam Azmoun’s side, who netted all six of their goals in second half of the match.
With only a point to show for their first two appearances in the competition, Kyrgyz Republic succeeded in holding the Iranians scoreless until the interval, but the breakthrough came less than a minute into the second half through Shaban.
Dabbaghi doubled the lead nine minutes later, and the floodgates began to open when she added another goal in the 57th minute, with Ghaasemi inflicting further damage width a fourth in less than 20 minutes when she made it 4-0 in the 63rd
Shaban scored again with six minutes remaining, before Ghaasemi netted in the first minute of stoppage time, becoming the third Iranian player on the day to complete a brace, as Azmoun’s charges completed another comprehensive win.
Turkmenistan 0-7 Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan retained their place on top of the table, outclassing Turkmenistan to register a 7-0 win at the Central Republican Stadium.
Six players got on the scoresheet from Bakhrom Norsafarov’s side, who have now piled on 23 goals in their opening three matches in the competition.
Coming into the tie as heavy favourites, it took Uzbekistan just four minutes to go ahead through Shakhrizoda Zaynitdinova, before Maftuna Shoyimova scored twice – first from the penalty spot, then from open play – to give them a 3-0 lead at half time.
Kamila Zaripova added a fourth less than a minute after half-time, with substitute Madina Vokhidova netting goal number five just two minutes later, before Tojinisokhon Rashidvoa and Malika Burkhanova both came off the bench to add late final touches to the scoreboard.
Uzbekistan’s superior goal difference means they will remain on top of the table with a draw against Iran on Tuesday, while a win in that fixture will all but secure the title.
Tajikistan 5-1 Afghanistan
In Monday’s other match, Tajikistan shrugged off the frustration of a winless start to the competition by registering an impressive 5-1 win over Afghanistan.
The tournament hosts scored four of their goals in an excellent second half, with their win helping them leapfrog Afghanistan into third place with two matches remaining.
Defender Sakhina Saidova opened the scoring for Tajikistan in the 39th minute, with second half goals from Zeboniso Abdulloeva, Sairam Kholnazarova, Nekubakht Khudododova and Jonona Halimova sealing the win.
Afghanistan’s goal was scored in the 84th minute by striker Fatima Hairdari.
Tuesday (all times local): Uzbekistan v IR Iran (Hisor, 1400), Afghanistan v Kyrgyz Republic (Dushanbe, 1400), Turkmenistan v Tajikistan (Dushanbe, 1700)
