TEHRAN – Iran national football team defeated Palestine 4-1 in their Asian Cup Group C opener Sunday night.

The victory at the Education City Stadium means Iran top the group ahead of the United Arab Emirates - who beat Hong Kong, China 3-1 earlier in the day - on goal difference.

Before kick-off, the players and fans in attendance stood united for a minute of silence, in compassion with the ongoing conflict in Palestine.

Three-time champions Iran took the lead after only one minute of play when Mehdi Ghaedi’s cross from the left found Saman Ghoddos who controlled the ball with his first touch before setting up Karim Ansarifard for a well-placed shot into the bottom corner.
In the 12th minute Ghoddos' curling free-kick found an unmarked Shojae Khalilzadeh at the far post to sweep past a stranded Rami Hamada.
The third goal, however, came seven minutes before the break when a quick interchange of passes on the right flank released Jahanbakhsh who used Taremi’s run as a diversion to release the ball to the onrushing Ghaedi to finish.

Palestine, however, ended the first half with a glimmer of hope, a stunning Tamer Seyam header in the sixth minute of added time giving Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand no chance. 

Their hopes, however, were dashed when AS Roma forward Sardar Azmoun - who came on at the start of the second half -  needed only 10 minutes to make his presence felt, knocking home a loose ball from close range after good work by Sadegh Moharrami on the right.

Iran will look to cement the top spot when they take on Hong Kong on Friday while Palestine will face the UAE a day earlier.