Vietnam qualified for the AFC U-19 Women’s Championship Thailand 2019 Finals despite a 2-1 defeat against Korea Republic, with Iran narrowly denied despite their earlier 5-1 win against Lebanon on Tuesday.
Vietnam had cause to celebrate after they sealed qualification for the Finals ahead of Iran by virtue of their lower fair play points, the-afc.com reported.
Earlier, Iran had kept their hopes of a place in the Finals alive, defeating Lebanon 5-1 in their final Group B match.
Knowing they had to win, and win big, to give themselves a chance of appearing in the Finals for just the second time, Iran made a horror start, falling behind in the opening minute when Farah El Tayar showed searing pace before scoring superbly for already-eliminated Lebanon.
But Iran responded in fine style, equalizing with a 35-yard masterpiece from Vida Raietparvar in the 15th minute, before Negin Zandi added a second 17 minutes later to ensure they would go into the interval a goal ahead.
Raietparvar converted a penalty kick two minutes after the restart to extend the lead, before Zandi joined her in completing a brace when she calmly stroked home Iran’s fourth for the afternoon at the hour mark.
Iran were producing excellent football, and Seyedeh Zahra Masoumi took them out of sight with a superbly struck fifth goal with 20 minutes remaining, putting the pressure firmly on group hosts Vietnam ahead of their match against already-qualified Korea Republic.
Vietnam and Iran played out a 1-1 draw on Matchday One, meaning Vietnam’s fate could rest on goal difference should they suffer a defeat to the Koreans.
TEHRANTIMS