Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Dhaka: The Philippines made a blistering start to their 2014 AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifying campaign with three goals in the first four minutes of their Group B opener laying the foundations for a 5-0 win over Iran on Tuesday.
The Philippines came flying out of the blocks at the Bangabandhu National Stadium and took the lead inside the first 60 seconds through defender Heather Cooke before further goals from Megan Jurado (3rd) and Jesse Anne Shugg (4th) had the South East Asians in complete control of the qualifying curtain raiser.
The Iranians tightened up in defence and were able to stem the attacking onslaught but they inadvertently extended their opponents’ advantage when defender Sarshin Kamangar netted a 34th minute own-goal.
Four minutes from the interval midfielder Joana Houplin (pictured challenging Hajar Shahmoradi) scored the fifth and what was looking to be the final goal of the contest until Shugg scored her second two minutes into second-half stoppage time as the Iranian ladies were left counting the cost of an unbelievable opening four minutes from the Philippines.