Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Dhaka: Thailand comfortably sealed their place in the 2014 AFC Women’s Asian Cup with a 5-1 win over Iran in their third and final Group B qualifier on Saturday as the 1983 continental champions advanced to next year’s finals with a 100% record.
The Thais were in pole position in the race for top spot having defeated Bangladesh (9-0) and the Philippines (1-0) in their first two qualifiers and booked their place at the flagship tournament from the 15th time after scoring five second-half goals in Saturday’s meeting with Iran at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.
After a goalless first-half Nisa Romyen broke the deadlock just 60 seconds after the restart before adding a second in the 65th minute.
Annotsara Maijarern made in 3-0 five minutes later and in the 74th minute skipper Naphat Seesraum added a fourth before Iran striker Sara Ghomi reduced the deficit with 11 minutes left to play.
However, Thailand were to have the final say when Nisa completed her hat-trick five minutes from the final whistle with her eighth goal in three qualifying matches as the Thais finished three points clear of ASEAN rivals the Philippines, who rounded off their qualifying campaign in second place following a 4-0 defeat over Group B hosts Bangladesh.