AIFF Media Team

AHMEDABAD: The second matchday in Group D of the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 Qualifiers saw Islamic Republic of Iran rise to the top of Group D in style with a 5-0 win over Chinese Taipei on Monday, November 24, 2025, at the EKA Arena in Ahmedabad. Palestine and Lebanon played out a 1-1 draw later in the day.

Both games in the first matchday on Saturday ended in draws (Palestine 1-1 India and Lebanon 0-0 Chinese Taipei), which meant three points in their first game were enough for IR Iran to go top of the table. Palestine and Lebanon are second and third, respectively, with two points each. India and Chinese Taipei are fourth and fifth, respectively, with a point apiece. Only the group winners will qualify for the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026.

IR Iran hit five past Chinese Taipei

Chinese Taipei 0
lost to
IR Iran 5 (Mahan Beheshti 45', 90+1', Amirreza Valipoor 52', Jafar Asadi 56', Mohammad Ghasemi 82')

Although IR Iran dominated the ball from the first whistle, they were kept at bay for most of the opening half because of some spirited defending by Chinese Taipei.

But the deadlock was finally broken in the 45th minute, with Pouya Jafari serving a cutback from the right for captain Mahan Beheshti, who struck it first-time from 14 yards out. His shot took a wicked deflection off Chinese Taipei defender Gao Yu-zhu, wrongfooting goalkeeper Lin Cheng-en, who could do nothing to save the ball from entering the net.

Head coach Armaghan Ahmadi's side went on a rampage right from the start of the second half, scoring the second goal in the 52nd minute. As Chinese Taipei failed to fully clear a long ball from Iranian centre-back Pouya Esmi, it fell kindly for Amirreza Valipoor, who poked it in from close range.

Four minutes later, Jafar Asadi tripled the lead with a solo effort. After winning the ball in the final third, the forward dribbled past a defender and fired into the bottom corner. Substitute Mohammad Ghasemi joined the goalscoring party, adding a fourth for IR Iran in the 82nd minute. The forward chased a bouncing long ball and, seeing the goalkeeper come out of his goal, wasted no time in dinking a first-time shot over him from outside the box.

The fifth and final goal came in the 91st minute when skipper Beheshti received the ball on the edge of the box, showed quick feet to beat a defender and blasted a low shot past Cheng-en to get his brace.

Lebanon strike late to deny Palestine victory

Lebanon 1 (Rami Malaeb 81')
drew with
Palestine 1 (Adam Amireh 14')

A cleverly worked free-kick routine found the opening goal for Palestine in the 14th minute. In a position out wide, Mohyeddin Hasasna laid the ball for Osayd Enaia, who put in a peach of a delivery into the six-yard box for Adam Amireh to thump home a solid header.

Lebanon grew desperate for the equaliser in the second half, creating chance after chance, but Palestine defended in numbers, and goalkeeper Sobhieh pulled off some spectacular saves.

Ultimately, Lebanon's relentless pressure paid off, and they scored their first goal of the Qualifiers in the 81st minute of the game. It was Rami Malaeb who proved too fast to handle for Palestine. The Lebanon forward surged through the backline, beating at least three defenders before driving a fierce shot into the bottom corner from a near-zero angle as Sobhieh remained rooted to his spot.

In the next matchday on November 26, IR Iran will face Lebanon at 16:30 before India square off against Chinese Taipei at 19:30. All matches are streamed live on plus.fifa.com. Tickets can be purchased here.