AFC U17 Asian Cup
In the later game, Pakistan scored thrice in the first half to defeat Laos 3-0 to go level on six points with Iran, who have a match in hand.
IR Iran 11-0 Sri Lanka
Seyedradin Haddarzi got the ball rolling for Iran in the third minute, tapping home from close range after good work from Mohammad Parsa on the right.
Amirmohammad Zarei made it 2-0 in the 13th minute, benefitting from a poor Sri Lanka clearance before Aliasghar Naderi slotted home a 16th minute penalty.
A breakaway a minute later saw Naderi tucking in the rebound after Imadh Shareeq had parried Zarei’s initial shot with the latter then curling a spectacular free-kick into the top corner in the 28th minute.
Further strikes from Haddarzi (36th), Zarei (45th+1) and Amirali Alimardani (45th+3) gave Iran a comfortable 8-0 lead at the break.
Qualifiers - Group D: IR Iran v Sri Lanka
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There was to be no respite for Sri Lanka after the interval as Iran pressed on with Amirsam Jannatalipour steering home from close range in the 56th minute after Shareeq had misjudged the flight of the ball with Naderi closing in for an attempted header.
Naderi scored his fourth of the game two minutes later, curling in a beautiful shot from the edge of the box with Jannatalipour’s header in the 68th minute completing a superb Iran performance.
Laos 0-3 Pakistan
Laos sounded the first warning with Sounikone Inthabanleuang flashing a shot from 25 yards out just wide but things quickly went downhill for the group hosts after that.
Abdul Samad floated a free-kick from the left into the danger zone in the 14th minute and Muhammad Essa looped his header over Sankham Thavithong for the opening goal.
Sitthilath Chanthamaly got in behind Pakistan’s defence three minutes later but could not get past goalkeeper Samar Razzaq.
The South Asians dominated the left side with Muhammad Moosa getting past two markers in the 27th minute to cross for Hazrat Abbas to thump home a header.
Another cross from the left in the 45th minute was delivered by Samad on a plate for Essa to nab his second in the game.
Qualifiers - Group D: Laos v Pakistan
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Laos were much better in the second period but found Razzaq to be in good form.
Phonesavanh Khonephachit could not win a one-on-one against Razzaq in the 50th minute with the Pakistan custodian putting a strong hand to deny Sisombat Vilaysone next before an outstanding Inthabanleuang free-kick from 30 yards sailed just over.
Even when Razzaq missed the ball in the 81st minute, Kaisone Muenviseth made a mess of his attempt, getting his foot over the ball rather than striking through as Laos succumbed to their second defeat.
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