Bangladesh offered stiff resistance to 13-time champions Iran in the opening minutes with goalkeeper Jahid Rabbi deflecting Masoud Yousef’s shot onto the bar before blocking Ali Khalilvand’s attempt.

Iran’s persistent pressure bore fruit in the 10th minute, Hossein Sabzi capitalising on a mistake from Srabon Shakil to score and was quickly followed by the second thanks to a near post flick from Hossein Tayebi.

Tayebi made it 3-0 a minute later, smashing a high ball into the roof of the net from an acute angle with Mohammadhossein Bazyar adding another as Bangladesh struggled to cope with Iran’s power.

Yousef then squeezed a low shot home in the 16th minute before Behrooz Azimihematabadi fired home four minutes later for Iran to take a commanding 6-0 lead into the break.

Iran maintained their intensity after the interval with Bazyar rifling in an unstoppable shot in the 21st minute after space opened up for him on the edge of the semi-circle.

Amihossein Gholami then smacked an effort against the bar as Bangladesh held Iran at bay until the 32nd minute when Mohammadhossein Derakhshani teed up Khalilvand to strike home.

Iran wrapped up an outstanding performance with further goals from Saied Momeni (35th), Tayebi (37th), Mahdi Karimi (37th) and Gholami (38th).

Buoyed by the home crowd, Malaysia started on the front foot with efforts from Muhammad Faris and Khairul Effendy going close but ultimately wide of the target.

From a long kick, UAE created a chance in the seventh minute through Abdalla Alhosaini’s knock down but Hamad Alzaabi couldn’t steer his shot on target from close range.

Malaysia went close midway through the first half when Ridzwan Bakri got through but saw his shot hit UAE goalkeeper Hamad Albaroud in the face before Syahir Iqbal’s effort came off the crossbar with the match remaining goalless at the break.

The game remained cagey after the interval with Malaysia custodian Syaifuddin Syukri needing to be at his best to push out Mohammed Alrayssi’s free-kick in the 25th minute while at the other end, Awalluddin Nawi’s back flick sailed just over.

Awalluddin, however, saved the best for last as he scored the only goal of the match in the 28th minute after he won the ball off Rashid Obaid high up the pitch and slammed home past Albaroud.